2. Pancaraja Sutta Discourse to the Five Kings Dutiya Vagga, Kosala Samyutta, Sagatha Vagga Samyutta, Samyutta Nikaya, Suttanta Pitaka SOURCE: "FIVE SAMYUTTAS FROM SAGATHAVAGGA SAMYUTTA" Translated by U Tin U (Myaung), Yangon Edited by the Editorial Committee, Burma (Myanmar) Tipitaka Association, 1998

      123. The Bhagava was at Savatthi... At that time among five kings led by Pasenadi, who enjoyed the five sense-pleasures fully and thoroughly, there arose a discussion on this subject: 'Which of the sense-pleasures is the best? One of them said 'Visual objects are the best of sense-pleasures'; another said 'Sounds are the best of sense-pleasure; another said 'Odours are the best of sense pleasures'; another said 'Tastes are the best of sense-pleasures; and another said 'Tangible objects are the best of sense-pleasures'. These kings were not able to make one another understand.

      Then, King Pasenadi of Kosala said to those kings:

      "Friends, let us go to the Bhagava and ask the Bhagava about this matter; we will bear in mind whatever the Bhagava may say." And those kings replied "So be it, friend," to King Pasenadi of Kosala.

      Then, the five kings led by Pasenadi approached the Bhagava and making obeisance to the Bhagava sat at a suitable place. Having sat down at a suitable place King Pasenadi of Kosala said thus to the Bhagava: "Venerable Sir, among us five kings who enjoy the five sense-pleasures fully and thoroughly this discussion arose: 'Which of the sense pleasures is the best?' One of us said 'Visual objects are the best of sense-pleasures'; another said 'Sounds are the best of sense-pleasures'; another said 'Odours are the best of sense-pleasures'; another said 'Tastes are the best of sense pleasures'; and another said 'Tangible objects are the best of sense-pleasures'. Now, Venerable Sir, which is the best among the sense-pleasures?'

      "Great King, among the five kinds of sense-pleasures the one that pleases one to the limit, I say, is the best. Certain visual objects, Great King, please some people; but those same visual objects do not please other people. He who is gladdened and fully gratified by certain visual objects does not long for any superior or exceptionally better visual objects other than those visual objects. To that person those particular visual objects are the most excellent; to that person those particular visual objects are incomparable."

      "Certain sounds, Great King, please some people, but these same sounds do not please other people. He who is gladdened and fully gratified by certain sounds does not long for any superior or exceptionally better sounds other than those sounds. To that person those particular sounds are the most excellent; to that person those particular sounds are incomparable."

      "Certain odours, Great King, please some people; but the same odours do not please other people. He who is gladdened and fully gratified by certain odours does not long for any superior or exceptionally better odours other than those odours. To that person those particular odours are the most excellent; to that person those particular odours are incomparable."

      "Certain tastes, Great King, please some people, but these same tastes do not please other people. He who is gladdened and fully gratified by certain tastes does not long for any superior or exceptionally better taste other than those tastes. To that person those particular tastes are the most excellent; to that person those particular tastes are incomparable."

      "Certain tangible objects, Great King, please some people; but these same tangible objects do not please other people. He who is gladdened and fully gratified by certain tangible objects does not long for any superior or exceptionally better tangible objects other than those tangible objects. To that person those particular tangible objects are the most excellent; to that person those particular tangible objects are incomparable."

      At that time a lay disciple named Candanagalika was seated in that audience. He rose from his seat and, placing the outer robe on one shoulder, with joined palms made obeisance towards the Bhagava. He addressed the Bhagava thus: "O Bhagava, a thought has come into my mind! O Sugata, a thought has come into my mind!"

      "Candanagalika", said the Bhagava, "Speak out what has come to your mind."

      Then the lay disciple Candanangalika uttered in the presence of the Bhagava this appropriate verse in praise of the Bhagava: "Behold the Resplendent One! Splendid like the sweet-smelling red lotus that opens up its petals in the morning. never losing its fragrance! Or like the Sun that blazes in the sky!" Thereupon each of the five monarchs presented Candanagalika each with a length of cloth for use as an outer garment. And Candanagalika offered all the five pieces of the outer garment to the Bhagava.

End of the Pancaraja Sutta,

the second in this vagga.