8.
The Discourse on Tāyana
89.
At Sāvatthī.
Then Tāyana the young god, a former founder of a sect, when the night was far advanced, with surpassing beauty, having illuminated almost the entire Jeta's Grove, approached the Blessed One;
having approached, he paid respect to the Blessed One and stood to one side.
Standing to one side, Tāyana the young god spoke these verses in the presence of the Blessed One -
Not having abandoned sensual pleasures, a sage does not attain unity.
For lax renunciation scatters more dust.
And what is well done is better, which having done one does not regret.
Asceticism wrongly handled drags one down to hell.
A suspicious holy life - that is not of great fruit."
This Tāyana the young god said; having said this, he paid respect to the Blessed One, circumambulated him keeping him on his right, and disappeared right there.
Then the Blessed One, after that night had passed, addressed the monks - "This night, monks, the young god named Tāyana, a former founder of a sect, when the night was far advanced, with surpassing beauty, having illuminated almost the entire Jeta's Grove, approached me; having approached, he paid respect to me and stood to one side. Standing to one side, monks, Tāyana the young god spoke these verses in my presence -
Not having abandoned sensual pleasures, a sage does not attain unity.
For lax renunciation scatters more dust.
And what is well done is better, which having done one does not regret.
Asceticism wrongly handled drags one down to hell.
A suspicious holy life - that is not of great fruit."
"This, monks, Tāyana the young god said, and having said this, having paid respect to me, having circumambulated me keeping me on his right, disappeared right there. Learn, monks, the verses of Tāyana; master thoroughly, monks, the verses of Tāyana; remember, monks, the verses of Tāyana. Connected with benefit, monks, are the verses of Tāyana, fundamental to the holy life."