Dīgha Nikāya 20
Translators: sujato
Long Discourses 20
Mahāsamayasutta
The Great Congregation
Evaṁ me sutaṁ—
So I have heard.
ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sakkesu viharati kapilavatthusmiṁ mahāvane mahatā bhikkhusaṅghena saddhiṁ pañcamattehi bhikkhusatehi sabbeheva arahantehi;
At one time the Buddha was staying in the land of the Sakyans, in the Great Wood near Kapilavatthu, together with a large Saṅgha of five hundred mendicants, all of whom were perfected ones.
dasahi ca lokadhātūhi devatā yebhuyyena sannipatitā honti bhagavantaṁ dassanāya bhikkhusaṅghañca.
And most of the deities from ten solar systems had gathered to see the Buddha and the Saṅgha of mendicants.
Atha kho catunnaṁ suddhāvāsakāyikānaṁ devatānaṁ etadahosi:
Then four deities of the Pure Abodes, aware of what was happening, thought:
“ayaṁ kho bhagavā sakkesu viharati kapilavatthusmiṁ mahāvane mahatā bhikkhusaṅghena saddhiṁ pañcamattehi bhikkhusatehi sabbeheva arahantehi;
dasahi ca lokadhātūhi devatā yebhuyyena sannipatitā honti bhagavantaṁ dassanāya bhikkhusaṅghañca.
Yannūna mayampi yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkameyyāma; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavato santike paccekaṁ gāthaṁ bhāseyyāmā”ti.
“Why don’t we go to the Buddha and each recite a verse in his presence?”
Atha kho tā devatā seyyathāpi nāma balavā puriso samiñjitaṁ vā bāhaṁ pasāreyya pasāritaṁ vā bāhaṁ samiñjeyya; evameva—suddhāvāsesu devesu antarahitā bhagavato purato pāturahesuṁ.
Then, as easily as a strong person would extend or contract their arm, they vanished from the Pure Abodes and reappeared in front of the Buddha.
Atha kho tā devatā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhaṁsu.
They bowed to the Buddha and stood to one side.
Ekamantaṁ ṭhitā kho ekā devatā bhagavato santike imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi:
Standing to one side, one deity recited this verse in the Buddha’s presence:
“Mahāsamayo pavanasmiṁ,
“There’s a great congregation in the woods,
Devakāyā samāgatā;
where heavenly hosts have assembled.
Āgatamha imaṁ dhammasamayaṁ,
We’ve come to this righteous congregation
Dakkhitāye aparājitasaṅghan”ti.
to see the invincible Saṅgha!”
Atha kho aparā devatā bhagavato santike imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi:
Then another deity recited this verse in the Buddha’s presence:
“Tatra bhikkhavo samādahaṁsu,
“The mendicants there are immersed in samādhi,
Cittamattano ujukaṁ akaṁsu;
they’ve straightened their own minds.
Sārathīva nettāni gahetvā,
Like a charioteer holding the reins,
Indriyāni rakkhanti paṇḍitā”ti.
the astute ones protect their senses.”
Atha kho aparā devatā bhagavato santike imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi:
Then another deity recited this verse in the Buddha’s presence:
“Chetvā khīlaṁ chetvā palighaṁ,
“They snapped the post and snapped the cross-bar,
Indakhīlaṁ ūhacca manejā;
unstirred, they tore out the boundary post.
Te caranti suddhā vimalā,
They live pure and immaculate,
Cakkhumatā sudantā susunāgā”ti.
the young giants tamed by the Clear-eyed One.”
Atha kho aparā devatā bhagavato santike imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi:
Then another deity recited this verse in the Buddha’s presence:
“Ye keci buddhaṁ saraṇaṁ gatāse,
“Anyone who has gone to the Buddha for refuge
Na te gamissanti apāyabhūmiṁ;
won’t go to a plane of loss.
Pahāya mānusaṁ dehaṁ,
After giving up this human body,
Devakāyaṁ paripūressantī”ti.
they swell the hosts of gods.”
1. Devatāsannipāta
1. The Gathering of Deities
Atha kho bhagavā bhikkhū āmantesi:
Then the Buddha said to the mendicants:
“yebhuyyena, bhikkhave, dasasu lokadhātūsu devatā sannipatitā honti, tathāgataṁ dassanāya bhikkhusaṅghañca.
“Mendicants, most of the deities from ten solar systems have gathered to see the Realized One and the mendicant Saṅgha.
Yepi te, bhikkhave, ahesuṁ atītamaddhānaṁ arahanto sammāsambuddhā, tesampi bhagavantānaṁ etapparamāyeva devatā sannipatitā ahesuṁ seyyathāpi mayhaṁ etarahi.
The Buddhas of the past had, and the Buddhas of the future will have, gatherings of deities that are at most like the gathering for me now.
Yepi te, bhikkhave, bhavissanti anāgatamaddhānaṁ arahanto sammāsambuddhā, tesampi bhagavantānaṁ etapparamāyeva devatā sannipatitā bhavissanti seyyathāpi mayhaṁ etarahi.
Ācikkhissāmi, bhikkhave, devakāyānaṁ nāmāni;
I shall declare the names of the heavenly hosts;
kittayissāmi, bhikkhave, devakāyānaṁ nāmāni;
I shall extol the names of the heavenly hosts;
desessāmi, bhikkhave, devakāyānaṁ nāmāni.
I shall teach the names of the heavenly hosts.
Taṁ suṇātha, sādhukaṁ manasikarotha, bhāsissāmī”ti.
Listen and apply your mind well, I will speak.”
“Evaṁ, bhante”ti kho te bhikkhū bhagavato paccassosuṁ.
“Yes, sir,” they replied.
Bhagavā etadavoca:
The Buddha said this:
“Silokamanukassāmi,
“I invoke a paean of praise!
yattha bhummā tadassitā;
Where the earth-gods dwell,
Ye sitā girigabbharaṁ,
there, in mountain caves,
pahitattā samāhitā.
resolute and composed,
Puthūsīhāva sallīnā,
dwell many like lonely lions,
lomahaṁsābhisambhuno;
who have mastered their fears.
Odātamanasā suddhā,
Their minds are bright and pure,
vippasannamanāvilā.
clear and undisturbed.”
Bhiyyo pañcasate ñatvā,
The teacher knew that over five hundred
vane kāpilavatthave;
were in the wood at Kapilavatthu.
Tato āmantayī satthā,
Therefore he addressed
sāvake sāsane rate.
the disciples who love the teaching:
‘Devakāyā abhikkantā,
“The heavenly hosts have come forth;
te vijānātha bhikkhavo’;
mendicants, you should be aware of them.”
Te ca ātappamakaruṁ,
Those monks grew keen,
sutvā buddhassa sāsanaṁ.
hearing the Buddha’s instruction.
Tesaṁ pāturahu ñāṇaṁ,
Knowledge manifested in them,
amanussānadassanaṁ;
seeing those non-human beings.
Appeke satamaddakkhuṁ,
Some saw a hundred,
sahassaṁ atha sattariṁ.
a thousand, even seventy thousand,
Sataṁ eke sahassānaṁ,
while some saw a hundred thousand
amanussānamaddasuṁ;
non-human beings.
Appekenantamaddakkhuṁ,
But some saw an endless number
disā sabbā phuṭā ahuṁ.
spread out in every direction.
Tañca sabbaṁ abhiññāya,
And all that was known
vavatthitvāna cakkhumā;
and distinguished by the Clear-eyed One.
Tato āmantayī satthā,
Therefore he addressed
sāvake sāsane rate.
the disciples who love the teaching:
‘Devakāyā abhikkantā,
“The heavenly hosts have come forth;
te vijānātha bhikkhavo;
mendicants, you should be aware of them.
Ye vohaṁ kittayissāmi,
I shall extol them for you,
girāhi anupubbaso’.
with lyrics in proper order.
Sattasahassā te yakkhā,
There are seven thousand spirits,
bhummā kāpilavatthavā;
earth-gods of Kapilavatthu.
Iddhimanto jutimanto,
They’re powerful and brilliant,
vaṇṇavanto yasassino;
so beautiful and glorious.
Modamānā abhikkāmuṁ,
Rejoicing, they’ve come forth
bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ.
to the meeting of mendicants in the wood.
Chasahassā hemavatā,
From the Himalayas there are six thousand
yakkhā nānattavaṇṇino;
spirits of different colors.
Iddhimanto jutimanto,
They’re powerful and brilliant,
vaṇṇavanto yasassino;
so beautiful and glorious.
Modamānā abhikkāmuṁ,
Rejoicing, they’ve come forth
bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ.
to the meeting of mendicants in the wood.
Sātāgirā tisahassā,
From Mount Sātā there are three thousand
yakkhā nānattavaṇṇino;
spirits of different colors.
Iddhimanto jutimanto,
They’re powerful and brilliant,
vaṇṇavanto yasassino;
so beautiful and glorious.
Modamānā abhikkāmuṁ,
Rejoicing, they’ve come forth
bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ.
to the meeting of mendicants in the wood.
Iccete soḷasasahassā,
And thus there are sixteen thousand
yakkhā nānattavaṇṇino;
spirits of different colors.
Iddhimanto jutimanto,
They’re powerful and brilliant,
vaṇṇavanto yasassino;
so beautiful and glorious.
Modamānā abhikkāmuṁ,
Rejoicing, they’ve come forth
bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ.
to the meeting of mendicants in the wood.
Vessāmittā pañcasatā,
From Vessāmitta’s mountain there are five hundred
yakkhā nānattavaṇṇino;
spirits of different colors.
Iddhimanto jutimanto,
They’re powerful and brilliant,
vaṇṇavanto yasassino;
so beautiful and glorious.
Modamānā abhikkāmuṁ,
Rejoicing, they’ve come forth
bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ.
to the meeting of mendicants in the wood.
Kumbhīro rājagahiko,
And there’s Kumbhīra of Rājagaha,
vepullassa nivesanaṁ;
whose home is on Mount Vepulla.
Bhiyyo naṁ satasahassaṁ,
Attended by more than
yakkhānaṁ payirupāsati;
a hundred thousand spirits,
Kumbhīro rājagahiko,
Kumbhīra of Rājagaha
sopāgā samitiṁ vanaṁ.
also came to the meeting in the wood.
Purimañca disaṁ rājā,
King Dhataraṭṭha rules
dhataraṭṭho pasāsati;
the eastern quarter.
Gandhabbānaṁ adhipati,
Lord of the centaurs,
mahārājā yasassiso.
he’s a great king, glorious.
Puttāpi tassa bahavo,
And he has many mighty sons
indanāmā mahabbalā;
all of them named Indra.
Iddhimanto jutimanto,
They’re powerful and brilliant,
vaṇṇavanto yasassino;
so beautiful and glorious.
Modamānā abhikkāmuṁ,
Rejoicing, they’ve come forth
bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ.
to the meeting of mendicants in the wood.
Dakkhiṇañca disaṁ rājā,
King Virūḷhaka rules
virūḷho taṁ pasāsati;
the southern quarter.
Kumbhaṇḍānaṁ adhipati,
Lord of the goblins,
mahārājā yasassiso.
he’s a great king, glorious.
Puttāpi tassa bahavo,
And he has many mighty sons
indanāmā mahabbalā;
all of them named Indra.
Iddhimanto jutimanto,
They’re powerful and brilliant,
vaṇṇavanto yasassino;
so beautiful and glorious.
Modamānā abhikkāmuṁ,
Rejoicing, they’ve come forth
bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ.
to the meeting of mendicants in the wood.
Pacchimañca disaṁ rājā,
King Virūpakkha rules
virūpakkho pasāsati;
the western quarter.
Nāgānañca adhipati,
Lord of the dragons,
mahārājā yasassiso.
he’s a great king, glorious.
Puttāpi tassa bahavo,
And he has many mighty sons
indanāmā mahabbalā;
all of them named Indra.
Iddhimanto jutimanto,
They’re powerful and brilliant,
vaṇṇavanto yasassino;
so beautiful and glorious.
Modamānā abhikkāmuṁ,
Rejoicing, they’ve come forth
bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ.
to the meeting of mendicants in the wood.
Uttarañca disaṁ rājā,
King Kuvera rules
kuvero taṁ pasāsati;
the northern quarter.
Yakkhānañca adhipati,
Lord of spirits,
mahārājā yasassiso.
he’s a great king, glorious.
Puttāpi tassa bahavo,
And he has many mighty sons
indanāmā mahabbalā;
all of them named Indra.
Iddhimanto jutimanto,
They’re powerful and brilliant,
vaṇṇavanto yasassino;
so beautiful and glorious.
Modamānā abhikkāmuṁ,
Rejoicing, they’ve come forth
bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ.
to the meeting of mendicants in the wood.
Purimaṁ disaṁ dhataraṭṭho,
Dhataraṭṭha in the east,
dakkhiṇena virūḷhako;
Virūḷhaka to the south,
Pacchimena virūpakkho,
Virūpakkha to the west,
kuvero uttaraṁ disaṁ.
and Kuvera in the north.
Cattāro te mahārājā,
These Four Great Kings,
samantā caturo disā;
all around in the four quarters,
Daddallamānā aṭṭhaṁsu,
stood there dazzling
vane kāpilavatthave.
in the wood at Kapilavatthu.
Tesaṁ māyāvino dāsā,
Their deceitful slaves came,
āguṁ vañcanikā saṭhā;
so treacherous and crafty—
Māyā kuṭeṇḍu viṭeṇḍu,
the deceivers Kuṭeṇḍu, Viṭeṇḍu,
viṭucca viṭuṭo saha.
with Viṭucca and Viṭuḍa.
Candano kāmaseṭṭho ca,
And Candana and Kāmaseṭṭha,
kinnighaṇḍu nighaṇḍu ca;
Kinnughaṇḍu and Nighaṇḍu,
Panādo opamañño ca,
Panāda and Opamañña,
devasūto ca mātali.
and Mātali, the god’s charioteer.
Cittaseno ca gandhabbo,
Cittasena the centaur came too,
naḷorājā janesabho;
and the kings Nala and Janesabha.
Āgā pañcasikho ceva,
Pañcasikha came too, with
timbarū sūriyavacchasā.
Timbaru and Suriyavaccasā.
Ete caññe ca rājāno,
These and other kings there were,
gandhabbā saha rājubhi;
the centaurs with their kings.
Modamānā abhikkāmuṁ,
Rejoicing, they’ve come forth
bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ.
to the meeting of mendicants in the wood.
Athāguṁ nāgasā nāgā,
Then came the dragons of Nābhasa lake,
vesālā sahatacchakā;
and those from Vesālī with those from Takkasilā.
Kambalassatarā āguṁ,
The Kambalas and Assataras came
pāyāgā saha ñātibhi.
and those from Payāga with their kin.
Yāmunā dhataraṭṭhā ca,
Those from Yamunā, and the Dhataraṭṭha
āgū nāgā yasassino;
dragons came, so glorious.
Erāvaṇo mahānāgo,
And Erāvaṇa the great dragon
sopāgā samitiṁ vanaṁ.
also came to the meeting in the wood.
Ye nāgarāje sahasā haranti,
Those who seize the dragon kings by force—
Dibbā dijā pakkhi visuddhacakkhū;
divine, twice-born birds with piercing vision—
Vehāyasā te vanamajjhapattā,
swoop down to the wood from the sky;
Citrā supaṇṇā iti tesa nāmaṁ.
their name is ‘Rainbow Phoenix’.
Abhayaṁ tadā nāgarājānamāsi,
But the dragon kings remained fearless,
Supaṇṇato khemamakāsi buddho;
for the Buddha kept them safe from the phoenixes.
Saṇhāhi vācāhi upavhayantā,
Introducing each other with gentle words,
Nāgā supaṇṇā saraṇamakaṁsu buddhaṁ.
the dragons and phoenixes <j>took the Buddha as refuge.
Jitā vajirahatthena,
Defeated by Vajirahattha,
samuddaṁ asurāsitā;
the titans live in the ocean.
Bhātaro vāsavassete,
They’re brothers of Vāsava,
iddhimanto yasassino.
powerful and glorious.
Kālakañcā mahābhismā,
There’s the terrifying Kālakañjas,
asurā dānaveghasā;
the Dānava and Ghasa titans,
Vepacitti sucitti ca,
Vepacitti and Sucitti,
pahārādo namucī saha.
Pahārāda with Namuci,
Satañca baliputtānaṁ,
and Bali’s hundred sons,
sabbe verocanāmakā;
all named after Virocana.
Sannayhitvā balisenaṁ,
Bali’s army armed themselves
rāhubhaddamupāgamuṁ;
and went to the auspicious Rāhu, saying:
‘Samayo dāni bhaddante,
‘Now is the time, sir,
bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ’.
for the meeting of mendicants in the wood.’
Āpo ca devā pathavī,
The gods of Water and Earth,
tejo vāyo tadāgamuṁ;
and Fire and Wind came there.
Varuṇā vāraṇā devā,
The gods of Varuṇa and Varuṇa’s offsping,
somo ca yasasā saha.
and Soma together with Yasa.
Mettā karuṇā kāyikā,
A host of the gods of Love
āguṁ devā yasassino;
and Compassion came, so glorious.
Dasete dasadhā kāyā,
These ten hosts of gods
sabbe nānattavaṇṇino.
shone in all different colors.
Iddhimanto jutimanto,
They’re powerful and brilliant,
vaṇṇavanto yasassino;
so beautiful and glorious.
Modamānā abhikkāmuṁ,
Rejoicing, they’ve come forth
bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ.
to the meeting of mendicants in the wood.
Veṇḍudevā sahali ca,
The Vishnu and Sahalī gods,
asamā ca duve yamā;
and the unequaled pair of Twins.
Candassūpanisā devā,
The gods living on the moon came,
candamāguṁ purakkhatvā.
with the Moon before them.
Sūriyassūpanisā devā,
The gods living on the sun came,
sūriyamāguṁ purakkhatvā;
with the Sun before them.
Nakkhattāni purakkhatvā,
And with the stars before them
āguṁ mandavalāhakā.
came the languid gods of clouds.
Vasūnaṁ vāsavo seṭṭho,
And Vāsava came, the greatest of the Vasus,
sakkopāgā purindado;
who is Sakka the Able, Purindada the Fortbreaker:
Dasete dasadhā kāyā,
These ten hosts of gods
sabbe nānattavaṇṇino.
shone in all different colors.
Iddhimanto jutimanto,
They’re powerful and brilliant,
vaṇṇavanto yasassino;
so beautiful and glorious.
Modamānā abhikkāmuṁ,
Rejoicing, they’ve come forth
bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ.
to the meeting of mendicants in the wood.
Athāguṁ sahabhū devā,
Then came the Sahabhū gods,
jalamaggi sikhāriva;
blazing like a crested flame;
Ariṭṭhakā ca rojā ca,
and the Ariṭṭhakas and Rojas too,
umāpupphanibhāsino.
and the gods hued blue as flax.
Varuṇā sahadhammā ca,
The Varuṇas and Sahadhammas,
accutā ca anejakā;
the Accutas and Anejakas,
Sūleyyarucirā āguṁ,
the Sūleyyas and Ruciras all came,
āguṁ vāsavanesino;
as did the Vāsavanesi gods.
Dasete dasadhā kāyā,
These ten hosts of gods
sabbe nānattavaṇṇino.
shone in all different colors.
Iddhimanto jutimanto,
They’re powerful and brilliant,
vaṇṇavanto yasassino;
so beautiful and glorious.
Modamānā abhikkāmuṁ,
Rejoicing, they’ve come forth
bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ.
to the meeting of mendicants in the wood.
Samānā mahāsamanā,
The Samānas, Mahāsamānas,
mānusā mānusuttamā;
Mānusas, and Mānusuttamas all came,
Khiḍḍāpadosikā āguṁ,
and the gods depraved by play,
āguṁ manopadosikā.
and those who are malevolent.
Athāguṁ harayo devā,
Then came the gods of Mercury,
ye ca lohitavāsino;
and the those who live on Mars.
Pāragā mahāpāragā,
The Pāragas and Mahāpāragas came,
āguṁ devā yasassino;
such glorious gods.
Dasete dasadhā kāyā,
These ten hosts of gods
sabbe nānattavaṇṇino.
shone in all different colors.
Iddhimanto jutimanto,
They’re powerful and brilliant,
vaṇṇavanto yasassino;
so beautiful and glorious.
Modamānā abhikkāmuṁ,
Rejoicing, they’ve come forth
bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ.
to the meeting of mendicants in the wood.
Sukkā karambhā aruṇā,
The gods of Venus, the newborn sun, <j>and the Dawn
āguṁ veghanasā saha;
came along with those from Saturn.
Odātagayhā pāmokkhā,
And the gods of the White Globe came
āguṁ devā vicakkhaṇā.
leading the Brilliant Gods.
Sadāmattā hāragajā,
The Sadāmattas and Hāragajas,
missakā ca yasassino;
and assorted glorious ones;
Thanayaṁ āga pajjunno,
Pajjuna came thundering,
yo disā abhivassati.
he who rains on all quarters.
Dasete dasadhā kāyā,
These ten hosts of gods
sabbe nānattavaṇṇino;
shone in all different colors.
Iddhimanto jutimanto,
They’re powerful and brilliant,
vaṇṇavanto yasassino;
so beautiful and glorious.
Modamānā abhikkāmuṁ,
Rejoicing, they’ve come forth
bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ.
to the meeting of mendicants in the wood.
Khemiyā tusitā yāmā,
The Khemiyas from the realms of Tusita and Yama,
kaṭṭhakā ca yasassino;
and the glorious Kaṭṭhakas came;
Lambītakā lāmaseṭṭhā,
the Lambītakas, Lāmaseṭṭhas,
jotināmā ca āsavā;
those called the Shining, <j>and the gods of Granted Wishes.
Nimmānaratino āguṁ,
The Gods Who Love to Imagine came too,
athāguṁ paranimmitā.
and those who delight in the Creations of Others.
Dasete dasadhā kāyā,
These ten hosts of gods
sabbe nānattavaṇṇino;
shone in all different colors.
Iddhimanto jutimanto,
They’re powerful and brilliant,
vaṇṇavanto yasassino;
so beautiful and glorious.
Modamānā abhikkāmuṁ,
Rejoicing, they’ve come forth
bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ.
to the meeting of mendicants in the wood.
Saṭṭhete devanikāyā,
These sixty hosts of gods
sabbe nānattavaṇṇino;
shone in all different colors.
Nāmanvayena āgacchuṁ,
They came organized by name,
ye caññe sadisā saha.
these and others likewise, thinking:
‘Pavuṭṭhajātimakhilaṁ,
‘We shall see those rid of rebirth, kind,
oghatiṇṇamanāsavaṁ;
the undefiled ones who have crossed the flood,
Dakkhemoghataraṁ nāgaṁ,
and the dragon who brought them across,
candaṁva asitātigaṁ’.
who like the Moon has overcome darkness.’
Subrahmā paramatto ca,
Subrahmā and Paramatta came,
puttā iddhimato saha;
with sons of those powerful ones.
Sanaṅkumāro tisso ca,
Sanaṅkumāra and Tissa
sopāga samitiṁ vanaṁ.
also came to the meeting in the wood.
Sahassaṁ brahmalokānaṁ,
Of a thousand Brahmā realms,
mahābrahmābhitiṭṭhati;
the Great Brahmā stands forth.
Upapanno jutimanto,
He has arisen, resplendent,
bhismākāyo yasassiso.
his formidable body so glorious.
Dasettha issarā āguṁ,
Ten Gods Almighty came there,
paccekavasavattino;
each one of them wielding power,
Tesañca majjhato āga,
and in the middle of them came
hārito parivārito.
Hārita with his following.”
Te ca sabbe abhikkante,
When they had all come forth—
sainde deve sabrahmake;
the gods with their Lord, and the Brahmās—
Mārasenā abhikkāmi,
Māra’s army came forth too:
passa kaṇhassa mandiyaṁ.
see the stupidity of the Dark Lord!
‘Etha gaṇhatha bandhatha,
“Come, seize them and bind them,” he said,
rāgena baddhamatthu vo;
“let them be bound by desire!
Samantā parivāretha,
Surround them on all sides,
mā vo muñcittha koci naṁ’.
don’t let any escape!”
Iti tattha mahāseno,
And so there the great general,
kaṇho senaṁ apesayi;
the Dark Lord sent forth his army.
Pāṇinā talamāhacca,
He struck the ground with his fist
saraṁ katvāna bheravaṁ.
to make a horrifying sound
Yathā pāvussako megho,
like a storm cloud shedding rain,
thanayanto savijjuko;
thundering and flashing.
Tadā so paccudāvatti,
But then he retreated,
saṅkuddho asayaṁvase.
furious, out of control.
Tañca sabbaṁ abhiññāya,
And all that was known
vavatthitvāna cakkhumā;
and distinguished by the Clear-eyed One.
Tato āmantayī satthā,
Thereupon the Teacher addressed
sāvake sāsane rate.
the disciples who love the teaching:
‘Mārasenā abhikkantā,
“Māra’s army has arrived;
te vijānātha bhikkhavo’;
mendicants, you should be aware of them.”
Te ca ātappamakaruṁ,
Those monks grew keen,
sutvā buddhassa sāsanaṁ;
hearing the Buddha’s instruction.
Vītarāgehi pakkāmuṁ,
The army fled from those free of passion,
nesaṁ lomāpi iñjayuṁ.
and not a single hair was stirred!
‘Sabbe vijitasaṅgāmā,
“All triumphant in battle,
bhayātītā yasassino;
so fearless and glorious.
Modanti saha bhūtehi,
They rejoice with all the spirits,
sāvakā te janesutā’”ti.
the disciples well-known among men.”
Mahāsamayasuttaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ sattamaṁ.