At Sāvatthi.
“Bhikkhus, I |investigated::practiced, engaged in [acariṁ]| the |gratification::satisfaction, pleasure, enjoyment, sweetness [assāda]| in the |earth element::whatever internal or external that is solid, hard, resistant, appears stable and supporting, which can be considered as belonging to oneself, and can be clung to [pathavīdhātu]|, and whatever gratification there is in the earth element, I |directly experienced::achieved [tadajjhagamā]| it. As far as the gratification in the earth element goes, it has been thoroughly seen by me with |wisdom::distinctive knowledge, discernment [paññā]|. Bhikkhus, I investigated the |drawback::disadvantage, unsatisfactoriness, inadequacy, danger [ādīnava]| in the earth element, and whatever drawback there is in the earth element, I directly experienced it. As far as the drawback in the earth element goes, it has been thoroughly seen by me with wisdom. Bhikkhus, I investigated the |escape::way out, remedy [nissaraṇa]| in regard to the earth element, and whatever escape there is in regard to the earth element, I directly experienced it. As far as the escape in regard to the earth element goes, it has been thoroughly seen by me with wisdom.
Bhikkhus, I investigated the gratification in the |water element::whatever internal or external, that is liquid, cohesive, flowing, binding, moist, which can be considered as belonging to oneself, and can be clung to [āpodhātu]|, and whatever gratification there is in the water element, I directly experienced it. As far as the gratification in the water element goes, it has been thoroughly seen by me with wisdom. Bhikkhus, I investigated the drawback in the water element, and whatever drawback there is in the water element, I directly experienced it. As far as the drawback in the water element goes, it has been thoroughly seen by me with wisdom. Bhikkhus, I investigated the escape in regard to the water element, and whatever escape there is in regard to the water element, I directly experienced it. As far as the escape in regard to the water element goes, it has been thoroughly seen by me with wisdom.
Bhikkhus, I investigated the gratification in the |fire element::whatever internal or external that is hot, fiery, transformative, warming, cooling, which can be considered as belonging to oneself and can be clung to [tejodhātu]|, and whatever gratification there is in the fire element, I directly experienced it. As far as the gratification in the fire element goes, it has been thoroughly seen by me with wisdom. Bhikkhus, I investigated the drawback in the fire element, and whatever drawback there is in the fire element, I directly experienced it. As far as the drawback in the fire element goes, it has been thoroughly seen by me with wisdom. Bhikkhus, I investigated the escape in regard to the fire element, and whatever escape there is in regard to the fire element, I directly experienced it. As far as the escape in regard to the fire element goes, it has been thoroughly seen by me with wisdom.
Bhikkhus, I investigated the gratification in the |air element::whatever internal or external that is airy, gaseous, moving, vibrating, wind-like, which can be considered as belonging to oneself and can be clung to [vāyodhātu]|, and whatever gratification there is in the air element, I directly experienced it. As far as the gratification in the air element goes, it has been thoroughly seen by me with wisdom. Bhikkhus, I investigated the drawback in the air element, and whatever drawback there is in the air element, I directly experienced it. As far as the drawback in the air element goes, it has been thoroughly seen by me with wisdom. Bhikkhus, I investigated the escape in regard to the air element, and whatever escape there is in regard to the air element, I directly experienced it. As far as the escape in regard to the air element goes, it has been thoroughly seen by me with wisdom.
Bhikkhus, as long as I did not |experientially understand::directly knew, realized [abbhaññāsi]|, |as they truly are::as they have come to be, in reality [yathābhūta]|, the gratification as gratification, the drawback as drawback, and the escape as escape in regard to these four elements, I did not claim to have awakened to the unsurpassed perfect awakening in this world with its |deities::gods [devas]|, |Māras::demons, tempters, beings of delusion|, |Brahmas::Gods; celestial beings residing in the Brahmā realms, often considered to be highly refined and long-lived deities. [brahmā]|, among this generation with its ascetics and brahmins, its kings and commoners.
But bhikkhus, when I experientially understood, as they truly are, the gratification as gratification, the drawback as drawback, and the escape as escape in regard to these four elements, only then did I claim to have awakened to the unsurpassed perfect awakening in this world with its |deities::gods [devas]|, |Māras::demons, tempters, beings of delusion|, |Brahmas::Gods; celestial beings residing in the Brahmā realms, often considered to be highly refined and long-lived deities. [brahmā]|, among this generation with its ascetics and brahmins, its kings and commoners.
|Wisdom::insight, knowing [ñāṇa]| and |vision::realization [dassana]| arose in me: ‘My liberation is unshakeable, this is my final birth, now there is no more |renewed existence::renewal of being, reappearance, rebirth, future life [punabbhava]|.’”