Pañcarājasuttaṃ [SN 3.12, PTS 1.80–1.81]

2.

The Five Kings Discourse

123. At Sāvatthī. Now at that time, among five kings with Pasenadi as chief, endowed and furnished with the five kinds of sensual pleasure, while indulging themselves, this discussion arose - "What indeed is the highest of sensual pleasures?" Therein some said thus - "Forms are the highest of sensual pleasures." Some said thus - "Sounds are the highest of sensual pleasures." Some said thus - "Odours are the highest of sensual pleasures." Some said thus - "Flavours are the highest of sensual pleasures." Some said thus - "Tangible objects are the highest of sensual pleasures." When those kings were not able to convince one another.

Then King Pasenadi of Kosala said this to those kings - "Come, sirs, let us go to where the Blessed One is; having approached, we will ask the Blessed One about this matter. As the Blessed One answers us, so we will remember it." "Yes, sir," those kings assented to King Pasenadi of Kosala.

Then those five kings with Pasenadi as chief approached the Blessed One; having approached, they paid respect to the Blessed One and sat down to one side. Seated to one side, King Pasenadi of Kosala said this to the Blessed One - "Here, venerable sir, among us five kings, endowed and furnished with the five kinds of sensual pleasure, while indulging ourselves, this discussion arose - 'What indeed is the highest of sensual pleasures?' Some said thus - 'Forms are the highest of sensual pleasures.' Some said thus - 'Sounds are the highest of sensual pleasures.' Some said thus - 'Odours are the highest of sensual pleasures.' Some said thus - 'Flavours are the highest of sensual pleasures.' Some said thus - 'Tangible objects are the highest of sensual pleasures.' What indeed, venerable sir, is the highest of sensual pleasures?"

"I say, great king, that the highest among the five kinds of sensual pleasure has agreeableness as its limit. Those same forms, great king, are agreeable to one person, those same forms are disagreeable to another person. And whoever is delighted with whatever forms, his thought fulfilled, he does not desire another form more superior or more sublime than those forms. Those forms are supreme for him. Those forms are unsurpassed for him.

"Those same sounds, great king, are agreeable to one person, those same sounds are disagreeable to another person. And whoever is delighted with whatever sounds, his thought fulfilled, he does not desire another sound more superior or more sublime than those sounds. Those sounds are supreme for him. Those sounds are unsurpassed for him.

"Those same odours, great king, are agreeable to one person, those same odours are disagreeable to another person. And whoever is delighted with whatever odours, his thought fulfilled, he does not desire another odour more superior or more sublime than those odours. Those odours are supreme for him. Those odours are unsurpassed for him.

"Those same flavours, great king, are agreeable to one person, those same flavours are disagreeable to another person. And whoever is delighted with whatever flavours, his thought fulfilled, he does not desire another flavour more superior or more sublime than those flavours. Those flavours are supreme for him. Those flavours are unsurpassed for him.

"Those same tangible objects, great king, are agreeable to one person, those same tangible objects are disagreeable to another person. And whoever is delighted with whatever tangible objects, his thought fulfilled, he does not desire another tangible object more superior or more sublime than those tangible objects. Those tangible objects are supreme for him. Those tangible objects are unsurpassed for him."

Now at that time the lay follower Candanaṅgalika was seated in that assembly. Then the lay follower Candanaṅgalika, having risen from his seat, having arranged his upper robe on one shoulder, having extended joined palms in salutation towards the Blessed One, said this to the Blessed One - "It occurs to me, Blessed One, it occurs to me, Fortunate One." "Let it occur to you, Candanaṅgalika" - the Blessed One said.

Then the lay follower Candanaṅgalika praised the Blessed One face to face with a fitting verse -

Then those five kings clothed the lay follower Candanaṅgalika with five upper robes. Then the lay follower Candanaṅgalika clothed the Blessed One with those five upper robes.