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Arahat Sivali, the ‘Prince of Receivers’

In some of our conservative Buddhist homes, even today, they hang a painting of a serene Bhikkhu in a sitting posture with a bowl in his hands. It is the well-known Arahat Sivali, foremost among recipients. Buddhists are of the opinion that by displaying a picture in their homes brings them good fortune, prosperity and bountiful of crops and food throughout the year.

The story of Maha Arahat Sivali is fascinating. In Buddhist literature there are many who were well-known in the art of giving. Among them Ven. Sivali became the ‘Prince of Receivers'.

One day when the Bhikkhus were discussing the suffering Arahat Sivali, underwent as a baby in her mother's womb. His mother Suppavasa, a daughter of Koliya clan was carrying him for seven years and seven days. The child inside Suppavasa's womb lay awry. She was stricken with an acute pain. She thought, only the Blessed One would be able to save her from suffering. She requested her husband to meet the Buddha and convey the news of her great suffering. The Buddha said: “May Suppavasa, the young woman of Koliya clan, be healthy and happy. May she bring forth a healthy son”.

When the Buddha uttered the above words, she delivered a healthy baby son. For seven days, Suppavasa and her husband offered alms to the Blessed One at their mansion.

Extraordinary child

Sivali was an extraordinary child. In the Samsara, he had collected many merits by offering alms. During the dispensation of Buddha Vipassi something notable happened to Sivali. During the time, the King and his subjects were competitive with one another in the art of giving or offering Buddha Vipassi. Strongly, when the turn of giving-alms to Buddha Vipassi, the people ran short of milk and honey.

They kept a man near the city gates with sufficient money to buy milk and honey from a vendor. When the vendor arrived, he first wanted to sell curd and honey for two thousand ‘Kahavanus’, but, when he learned that it was to be offered to Buddha Vipassi, the vendor was prepared to give milk and honey free.

The vendor had one aspiration. One day he wanted to be the head of recipients. After the vendor died, he was conceived in the womb of Suppavasa.

There were many windfalls to the family after he was conceived. But both mother and son suffered for a demeritorious deed (Akusala Kamma) in an early birth and suffered during the lone abnormal pregnancy period – seven years seven days. The grief stricken husband left home for a few days and returned home with joy, when the baby boy was born. As the gloom turned to joy and mirth, merriment and happiness the child was named Sivali.

First stream

Sivali at the parting of the first lock of hair entered the first stream towards the realisation of liberation, leading to Arahatship, and at the parting of the last lock of hair, became a fully-fledged Arahat. Thus among the noble Sangha – or Order of the disciples of the Buddha”, Arahat Sivali was the foremost among recipients.

In the Dhammapada, the “Classic of Asia” or “Measure of Truth”, in the Brahmana Vagga – the stanza number 414 says:

Yo Imam Palipatham Duggam
Samasaram Mohamaccaga
Tinno Paragato Jhayi
Anejo Akkathakathi
Anupadaya Nibbuto
Tam Aham Brumi Brahmanam

(He who has traversed this difficult path of Samsara full of defilements and illusion, who has reached the other shore, who is meditative, firm, free of doubts, unfettered and serene, him I call a Brahmana.)

The Enlightened One uttered the above stanza, which was woven round foremost among Recipients – Venerable Arahat Sivali.

The Blessed One, explained and defined a true Brahmana as one who has crossed the soft wet ground of passion, one who has gone beyond the difficult terrain of blemishes, that is hard to travel or extend across (an area) and has crossed the cycle of existence.

He has totally and fully reached the other shore. He is a mediator and is bereft or deprived of a power or quality. His spiritual doubts are all resolved. He is no longer given to grasping. He is cool. Such a person is a true Brahamana.

Sivali Pirith

In the number 4 of the sub-section of the ‘Piruvana Poth Vahanse’, one comes across the ‘Sivali Pirith'. It consists of 24 stanzas and begins with:

Purenta Parami Sabbe – Sabbe Pacchekanayaka,

Sivali Gunathejena – Parittam Tam Bhanamahe, Najalithii Thi Jalitam – A – Ee, Li, Aam, E Swaha

Buddhasami Buddhasathyam and winds up with:
Tesam Sacchena silena – Kanthimettabalenaca
Tepi Mam Anurakkantu – Sabbaharogo Vinasanem
Sabba – Dukka Vinasanem
Sabbabbhayo Vinasanem

Many Buddhists believe that by listening and chanting ‘Sivali Pirith’, they will be great receivers. Businessmen or the Business sector will accrue large profits by reciting ‘Sivali Pirith'.

They will be bountiful with food, other amenities and will be protected from all evil threats, fears emanative from all quarters. For protection, some Buddhists wear a Talisman inside where ‘Sivali Dehena’ (protection verses of Sivali Piritha) is inscribed.

By Premasara EPASINGHE