sutta » sn » sn4 » Saṁyutta Nikāya 4.1

Tapokammasutta

Mortification Austere Practice

Evaṁ me sutaṁ—
So I have heard.
Thus have I heard.

ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā uruvelāyaṁ viharati najjā nerañjarāya tīre ajapālanigrodhamūle paṭhamābhisambuddho.
At one time, when he was first awakened, the Buddha was staying in Uruvelā at the root of the goatherd’s banyan tree on the bank of the Nerañjarā River.
On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Uruvelā on the bank of the river Nerañjarā at the foot of the Goatherd’s Banyan Tree just after he had become fully enlightened.

Atha kho bhagavato rahogatassa paṭisallīnassa evaṁ cetaso parivitakko udapādi:
Then as he was in private retreat this thought came to his mind,
Then, while the Blessed One was alone in seclusion, a reflection arose in his mind thus:

“mutto vatamhi tāya dukkarakārikāya.
“I am truly freed from that grueling work!
“I am indeed freed from that gruelling asceticism!

Sādhu mutto vatamhi tāya anatthasaṁhitāya dukkarakārikāya.
Thank goodness I’m freed from that pointless grueling work.
It is good indeed that I am freed from that useless gruelling asceticism!

Sādhu vatamhi mutto bodhiṁ samajjhagan”ti.
Thank goodness that, steadfast and mindful, I have attained awakening.”
It is good that, steady and mindful, I have attained enlightenment!”

Atha kho māro pāpimā bhagavato cetasā cetoparivitakkamaññāya yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ gāthāya ajjhabhāsi:
And then Māra the Wicked, knowing the Buddha’s train of thought, went up to him and addressed him in verse:
Then Māra the Evil One, having known with his own mind the reflection in the Blessed One’s mind, approached the Blessed One and addressed him in verse:

“Tapokammā apakkamma,
“You’ve departed from the practice of mortification
“Having deviated from the austere practice

ye na sujjhanti māṇavā;
by which humans purify themselves.
By which men purify themselves,

Asuddho maññasi suddho,
You’re impure, but think yourself pure;
Being impure, you think you’re pure:

suddhimaggā aparaddho”ti.
you’ve strayed from the path of purity.”
You have missed the path to purity. ”

Atha kho bhagavā “māro ayaṁ pāpimā” iti viditvā māraṁ pāpimantaṁ gāthāhi ajjhabhāsi:
Then the Buddha, knowing that this was Māra the Wicked, replied to him in verse:
Then the Blessed One, having understood, “This is Māra the Evil One, ” replied to him in verses:

“Anatthasaṁhitaṁ ñatvā,
“I realized that it’s pointless;
“Having known as useless any austerity

yaṁ kiñci amaraṁ tapaṁ;
all that mortification in search of immortality
Aimed at the immortal state,

Sabbaṁ natthāvahaṁ hoti,
is as futile
That all such penances are futile

phiyārittaṁva dhammani.
as oars and rudder on dry land.
Like oars and rudder on dry land,

Sīlaṁ samādhi paññañca,
Ethics, immersion, and wisdom:
Virtue, concentration, and wisdom—

Maggaṁ bodhāya bhāvayaṁ;
by developing this path to awakening
By developing the path to enlightenment—

Pattosmi paramaṁ suddhiṁ,
I attained ultimate purity.
I have attained supreme purity:

Nihato tvamasi antakā”ti.
You’re beaten, terminator!”
You’re defeated, End-maker!”

Atha kho māro pāpimā “jānāti maṁ bhagavā, jānāti maṁ sugato”ti, dukkhī dummano tatthevantaradhāyīti.
Then Māra the Wicked, thinking, “The Buddha knows me! The Holy One knows me!” miserable and sad, vanished right there.
Then Māra the Evil One, realizing, “The Blessed One knows me, the Fortunate One knows me, ” sad and disappointed, disappeared right there.