sutta » sn » sn4 » Saṁyutta Nikāya 4.1

Tapokammasutta

Austere Practice Mortification

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

ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā uruvelāyaṁ viharati najjā nerañjarāya tīre ajapālanigrodhamūle paṭhamābhisambuddho.
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.
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.

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

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

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

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

Atha kho māro pāpimā bhagavato cetasā cetoparivitakkamaññāya yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ gāthāya ajjhabhāsi:
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:
And then Māra the Wicked, knowing the Buddha’s train of thought, went up to him and addressed him in verse:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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