The Mistress of the House (SN9.8)

Linked Discourses 9.8

1. In the Woods

The Mistress of the House

At one time one of the monks was staying in the land of the Kosalans in a certain forest grove.

Now at that time that monk had become too closely involved in the affairs of a certain family.

The deity haunting that forest had sympathy for that monk, wanting what’s best for him. So, wanting to stir him up, they manifested in the appearance of the mistress of that family, approached the monk, and addressed him in verse:

“At river banks and guest houses,

hotels and highways,¹

people gather to gossip about

what’s going on between you and me.”

“There are many sounds echoing²

that a fervent ascetic must endure.

They ought not be dismayed by that,

for that’s not what defiles you.

If you’re startled by every little sound,

like a wind-deer in the wood,³

they’ll call you ‘flighty minded’;

and your practice won’t succeed.”