Nandatisutta

Sāvatthinidānaṁ. Ekamantaṁ ṭhitā kho sā devatā bhagavato santike imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi:

At Sāvatthī. Standing to one side, that deity spoke this verse in the Buddha’s presence:

“Nandati puttehi puttimā, Gomā gohi tatheva nandati; Upadhīhi narassa nandanā, Na hi so nandati yo nirūpadhī”ti.

“Children bring you delight! Cattle also bring you delight! For attachments are a man’s delight; without attachments there’s no delight.”

“Socati puttehi puttimā, Gomā gohi tatheva socati; Upadhīhi narassa socanā, Na hi so socati yo nirūpadhī”ti.

“Children bring you sorrow. Cattle also bring you sorrow. For attachments are a man’s sorrow; without attachments there are no sorrows.”