Deep Commentary

This verse was taught by the Buddha at Jetavana Monastery in connection with Cullā Subhaddā, the daughter of Anathapindika. According to the story, Anathapindika and Uccha were childhood friends. As they grew up, they promised that their families would be joined by marriage in the future. Both men became wealthy householders. One day, Uccha visited, and the daughter, following her father's instructions, received the guest with great propriety. On that day, Uccha was very pleased with her virtue and character and requested to marry her to his son. Anathapindika consulted the Buddha, who, knowing that Uccha would attain saintly realization, advised him to accept. Both families agreed on the wedding date. Being the wealthiest in the region, Anathapindika provided his daughter with a generous dowry and many instructions, entrusting her to the husband’s household. On the wedding day, the bride's family offered alms to the Buddha and Sangha, followed by a magnificent procession to escort the bride to her husband’s home. The city celebrated her beauty and virtue. Uccha, a follower of an external heterodox sect, was present with other ascetics. He requested that the bride greet them, but she refused, considering them impolite and unethical. Uccha became angry and expelled her, but her guardians defended her. Recognizing her steadfast devotion to the Buddha, her mother-in-law inquired about the Buddha's virtues. The bride recited a long verse praising the Buddha and the Sangha. Impressed, her mother-in-law wished to meet the Buddha. The bride ascended to a high floor, lit incense, and made a heartfelt prayer inviting the Buddha to visit. At the same time, Anathapindika also requested the Buddha’s visit, but the Buddha declined, having already accepted the daughter’s invitation. Astonished, Anathapindika asked how his daughter could summon the Buddha from 120 miles away. The Buddha said, “Indeed, the virtuous are clearly present even from afar.” Thereupon, the Buddha taught the following verse. Indra, aware of all, manifested 500 towers to escort the Buddha and Sangha to Uccha’s city. When the Buddha and Sangha arrived, with majestic demeanor, Uccha and his wife offered flowers and incense in deep respect. Uccha requested the Buddha to stay seven days, during which the Buddha expounded the Dharma to Uccha and 84,000 listeners, all attaining Dharma-eye. The citizens of Uccha’s city became devout and righteous, thanks to Subhaddā’s virtuous influence. The story illustrates that saints throughout the ages achieved their spiritual accomplishments through virtuous deeds. The Buddha, though fully enlightened, did not neglect any act of goodness, whether large or small: from threading a needle for an old woman, applying medicine to an injured animal, to personally caring for a sick monk. From princehood to enlightenment, the Buddha performed all acts of virtue patiently and joyfully, free from attachment. As the ancients said, “Be eager to do good, avoid evil; see good as water to a thirsty person, hear evil as a deaf person. Doing good brings joy, the path is great.” Historical sages emphasized that doing good accrues merit, while committing evil brings immediate visible consequences. The Buddha said, “Good deeds shine far, like snow-capped mountains; evil deeds are dark, like arrows shot at night.” Even across millennia, the fame of Buddhas and virtuous sages shines like snowy peaks. Evil people, blinded by ambition and desire, enslaved to their ego, bring suffering to others. Their names may be famous, but for infamy, serving as cautionary examples. Such are trapped in the prison of ignorance, awaiting the light of wisdom to escape endless suffering. Thus the story proves that virtuous conduct brings blessings. Uccha and his wife, through Subhaddā’s influence, turned toward the righteous path. Notably, Subhaddā maintained her firm loyalty to the Buddha, resisting all pressure from the heterodox sect and her father-in-law, showing that no power can sway a heart devoted entirely to the Buddha. The Buddha responded to her sincere faith, which amazed Anathapindika. One should note the Buddha’s teaching: “The virtuous, though distant, are present as if near.” No fragrance travels farther than that of virtue, and no fame resounds farther than that of the perfectly virtuous, deserving universal reverence.