sutta » sn » sn2 » Saṁyutta Nikāya 2.9

Candimasutta

The Moon Candimā

Sāvatthinidānaṁ.
At Sāvatthī.
At Sāvatthī.

Tena kho pana samayena candimā devaputto rāhunā asurindena gahito hoti.
Now at that time the Moon God had been seized by Rāhu, lord of titans.
Now on that occasion the young deva Candimā had been seized by Rāhu, lord of the asuras.

Atha kho candimā devaputto bhagavantaṁ anussaramāno tāyaṁ velāyaṁ imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi:
Then the Moon God, recollecting the Buddha, at that time recited this verse:
Then, recollecting the Blessed One, the young deva Candimā on that occasion recited this verse:

“Namo te buddha vīratthu,
“Homage to you, Buddha, hero!
“Let homage be to you, the Buddha! O hero,

vippamuttosi sabbadhi;
You’re free in every way.
you are everywhere released.

Sambādhapaṭipannosmi,
I’ve wandered into confinement:
I have fallen into captivity,

tassa me saraṇaṁ bhavā”ti.
be my refuge!”
So please be my refuge.”

Atha kho bhagavā candimaṁ devaputtaṁ ārabbha rāhuṁ asurindaṁ gāthāya ajjhabhāsi:
Then the Buddha addressed Rāhu in verse concerning the Moon God:
Then, referring to the young deva Candimā, the Blessed One addressed Rāhu, lord of the asuras, in verse:

“Tathāgataṁ arahantaṁ,
“The Moon God has gone for refuge
“To the Tathāgata, the Arahant.

candimā saraṇaṁ gato;
to the Realized One, the perfected one.
Candimā has gone for refuge

Rāhu candaṁ pamuñcassu,
The Buddhas have compassion for the world—
Release Candimā, O Rāhu,

buddhā lokānukampakā”ti.
so Rāhu, release the Moon!”
Buddhas have compassion for the world.”

Atha kho rāhu asurindo candimaṁ devaputtaṁ muñcitvā taramānarūpo yena vepacitti asurindo tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā saṁviggo lomahaṭṭhajāto ekamantaṁ aṭṭhāsi.
Then Rāhu, having released the Moon, rushed to see Vepacitti, lord of titans and stood to one side, shocked and awestruck.
Then Rāhu, lord of the asuras, released the young deva Candimā and hurriedly approached Vepacitti, lord of the asuras. Having approached, shocked and terrified, he stood to one side.

Ekamantaṁ ṭhitaṁ kho rāhuṁ asurindaṁ vepacitti asurindo gāthāya ajjhabhāsi:
Vepacitti addressed him in verse:
Then, as he stood there, Vepacitti, lord of the asuras, addressed him in verse:

“Kiṁ nu santaramānova,
“Why the rush?
“Why, Rāhu, did you come in a hurry?

rāhu candaṁ pamuñcasi;
Rāhu, you released the Moon
Why did you release Candimā?

Saṁviggarūpo āgamma,
and came here looking like you’re in shock:
Having come as if in shock,

kiṁ nu bhītova tiṭṭhasī”ti.
why do you stand there so scared?”
Why do you stand there frightened?”

“Sattadhā me phale muddhā,
“My head would have exploded in seven pieces,
“My head would have split in seven parts,

jīvanto na sukhaṁ labhe;
I would have found no happiness in life,
While living I would have found no ease,

Buddhagāthābhigītomhi,
if, when enchanted by the Buddha’s verse,
If, when chanted over by the Buddha’s verse,

no ce muñceyya candiman”ti.
I had not released the Moon.”
I had not let go of Candimā. ”