Deep Commentary

This verse relates to Nandiya, a devout Buddhist from Varanasi who was known for his generosity and dedication to the Sangha. He supported the monastic community through alms, provided for the needy, and built dwellings for monks. His great merit resulted in heavenly palaces awaiting him in the Tavatimsa realm. When Moggallana visited the heavenly realms and witnessed these splendors, the Buddha confirmed that upon his passing, Nandiya would be welcomed by the devas with the same joy one feels when a long-lost loved one returns home. The teaching emphasizes that the fruit of one's actions—whether positive or negative—is rooted in the intention and the purity of the heart. Nandiya’s devotion led to his auspicious rebirth, while his wife, Revati, who lacked sincerity and eventually turned against the Sangha, suffered a contrary fate. The comparison of karma to a shadow that follows its owner serves as a warning: one's future is shaped by current conduct and state of mind. True merit is not measured by the quantity of gifts, but by the sincerity and reverence with which they are given.