1 (1)–12 (12) The River Ganges—Eastward, Etc.

At Sāvatthi. There the Blessed One said this: “Bhikkhus, there are these four right strivings. What four? Here, Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu generates desire for the nonarising of unarisen evil unwholesome states; he makes an effort, arouses energy, applies his mind, and strives. He generates desire for the abandoning of arisen evil unwholesome states; he makes an effort, arouses energy, applies his mind, and strives. He generates desire for the arising of unarisen wholesome states; he makes an effort, arouses energy, applies his mind, and strives. He generates desire for the maintenance of arisen wholesome states, for their nondecay, increase, expansion, and fulfilment by development; he makes an effort, arouses energy, applies his mind, and strives. These are the four right strivings.

“Bhikkhus, just as the river Ganges slants, slopes, and inclines towards the east, so too a Bhikkhu who develops and cultivates the four right strivings slants, slopes, and inclines towards Nibbāna.

“And how, Bhikkhus, does a Bhikkhu develop and cultivate the four right strivings so that he slants, slopes, and inclines towards Nibbāna? Here, Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu generates desire for the nonarising of unarisen evil unwholesome states; he makes an effort, arouses energy, applies his mind, and strives. He generates desire for the abandoning of arisen evil unwholesome states…. He generates desire for the arising of unarisen wholesome states…. He generates desire for the maintenance of arisen wholesome states, for their nondecay, increase, expansion, and fulfilment by development; he makes an effort, arouses energy, applies his mind, and strives. These are the four right strivings.

“It is in this way, Bhikkhus, that a Bhikkhu develops and cultivates the four right strivings so that he slants, slopes, and inclines towards Nibbāna.”

(The remaining suttas of this vagga are to be similarly elaborated parallel to 45:92–102.)

Six about slanting to the east
And six about slanting to the ocean.
These two sixes make up twelve:
Thus the subchapter is recited.