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Saṁyutta Nikāya 31.1 Linked Discourses 31.1
1. Gandhabbavagga 1. Centaurs
Suddhikasutta Plain Version
Ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme …pe… At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. …
bhagavā etadavoca: The Buddha said this:
“gandhabbakāyike vo, bhikkhave, deve desessāmi. “Mendicants, I will teach you about the gods of the centaur realm. The gandhabba (Sanskrit gandharva) is a complex mythic entity, but I think he sprang ultimately from the awe-inspiring sight of men on horseback, potent, unpredictable, violent, and sexy, from which came both the Greek kentauros and Sanskrit gandharva, “centaur”. See further discussions at SN 11.4:1.10, DN 20:9.3, DN 21, and MN 93:18.61.
Taṁ suṇātha. Listen …
Katamā ca, bhikkhave, gandhabbakāyikā devā? And what are the gods of the centaur realm?
Santi, bhikkhave, mūlagandhe adhivatthā devā. There are gods who live in fragrant roots, Here the centaur shows one of his many secondary characteristics, an association with fragrance (gandha), which arose as a pun on the word gandhabba. This serves to highlight his sensual and erotic nature.
Santi, bhikkhave, sāragandhe adhivatthā devā. fragrant heartwood,
Santi, bhikkhave, pheggugandhe adhivatthā devā. fragrant softwood,
Santi, bhikkhave, tacagandhe adhivatthā devā. fragrant bark,
Santi, bhikkhave, papaṭikagandhe adhivatthā devā. fragrant shoots,
Santi, bhikkhave, pattagandhe adhivatthā devā. fragrant leaves,
Santi, bhikkhave, pupphagandhe adhivatthā devā. fragrant flowers,
Santi, bhikkhave, phalagandhe adhivatthā devā. fragrant fruit,
Santi, bhikkhave, rasagandhe adhivatthā devā. fragrant sap,
Santi, bhikkhave, gandhagandhe adhivatthā devā. and fragrant scents.
Ime vuccanti, bhikkhave, gandhabbakāyikā devā”ti. These are called the gods of the centaur realm.”
Paṭhamaṁ.