So I have heard. Evaṁ me sutaṁ—At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme. Now at that time, between Sāvatthī and the Jeta Grove, several boys were hitting a snake with a stick. Tena kho pana samayena sambahulā kumārakā antarā ca sāvatthiṁ antarā ca jetavanaṁ ahiṁ daṇḍena hananti. Then the Buddha robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, entered Sāvatthī for alms. Atha kho bhagavā pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya sāvatthiṁ piṇḍāya pāvisi. He saw the boys hitting the snake. Addasā kho bhagavā sambahule kumārake antarā ca sāvatthiṁ antarā ca jetavanaṁ ahiṁ daṇḍena hanante.

Then, understanding this matter, on that occasion the Buddha expressed this heartfelt sentiment: Atha kho bhagavā etamatthaṁ viditvā tāyaṁ velāyaṁ imaṁ udānaṁ udānesi:

“Creatures love happiness, “Sukhakāmāni bhūtāni, so if you harm them with a stick yo daṇḍena vihiṁsati; in search of your own happiness, Attano sukhamesāno, after death you’ll find no happiness. pecca so na labhate sukhaṁ.

Creatures love happiness, Sukhakāmāni bhūtāni, so if you don’t harm them with a stick yo daṇḍena na hiṁsati; in search of your own happiness, Attano sukhamesāno, after death you will find happiness.” pecca so labhate sukhan”ti.

Tatiyaṁ.