Dhammapada Verses 309 and 310
Khemakasetthiputta Vatthu
Cattari thanani naro pamatto
apajjati paradarupasevi
apunnalabham na nikamaseyyam
nindam tatiyam nirayam catuttham.
Apunnalahho ca gati ca papika
bhitassa bhitaya rati ca thokika
raja ca dandam garukam paneti
tasma naro paradaram na seve.
Verse 309: Four misfortunes befall a man who is unmindful of right conduct
and commit sexual misconduct with another man's wife: acquisition of demerit,
disturbed sleep, reproach, and suffering in niraya.
Verse 310: Thus, there is the acquisition of demerit, and there is rebirth in
the evil apaya realms. The enjoyment of a scared man with a scared woman is
short-lived, and the king also metes out severe punishment. Therefore, a man
should not commit misconduct with another man's wife.
The Story of Khemaka, the Son of a Rich Man
While residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verses (309) and
(310) of this book, with reference to Khemaka, the son of a rich man. Khemaka
was also the nephew of the renowned Anathapindika.
Khemaka, in addition to being rich, was also very good-looking and women were
very much attracted to him. They could hardly resist him and naturally fell a
prey to him. Khemaka committed adultery without compunction. The king's men
caught him three times for sexual misconduct and brought him to the presence of
the king. But King Pasenadi of Kosala did not take action because Khemaka was
the nephew of Anathapindika. So Anathapindika himself took his nephew to the
Buddha. The Buddha talked to Khemaka about the depravity of sexual misconduct
and the seriousness of the consequences.
| Verse 309: Four misfortunes befall a man who is
unmindful of right conduct and commit sexual misconduct with another
man's wife: acquisition of demerit, disturbed sleep, reproach, and
suffering in niraya. |
| |
| Verse 310: Thus, there is the acquisition of
demerit, and there is rebirth in the evil apaya realms. The enjoyment
of a scared man with a scared woman is short-lived, and the king also
metes out severe punishment. Therefore, a man should not commit
misconduct with another man's wife. |
At the end of the discourse Khemaka attained Sotapatti Fruition.