DN 20 The Great Congregation – Mahāsamayasutta

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DN 20 The Great Congregation – Mahāsamayasutta

Long Discourses 20 – Dīgha Nikāya 20

DN 20 The Great Congregation – Mahāsamayasutta

[Summary]

 

So I have heard.

Evaṁ me sutaṁ—

At one time the Buddha was staying in the land of the Sakyans, near Kapilavatthu in the Great Wood, together with a large Saṅgha of around five hundred bhikkhū, all of whom were perfected ones.

ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sakkesu viharati kapilavatthusmiṁ mahāvane mahatā bhikkhusaṅghena saddhiṁ pañcamattehi bhikkhusatehi sabbeheva arahantehi;

And most of the deities from ten solar systems had gathered to see the Buddha and the Saṅgha of bhikkhū.

dasahi ca lokadhātūhi devatā yebhuyyena sannipatitā honti bhagavantaṁ dassanāya bhikkhusaṅghañca.

Then four deities of the Pure Abodes, aware of what was happening, thought:

Atha kho catunnaṁ suddhāvāsakāyikānaṁ devatānaṁ etadahosi:

“ayaṁ kho bhagavā sakkesu viharati kapilavatthusmiṁ mahāvane mahatā bhikkhusaṅghena saddhiṁ pañcamattehi bhikkhusatehi sabbeheva arahantehi;

dasahi ca lokadhātūhi devatā yebhuyyena sannipatitā honti bhagavantaṁ dassanāya bhikkhusaṅghañca.

“Why don’t we go to the Buddha and each recite a verse in his presence?”

Yannūna mayampi yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkameyyāma; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavato santike paccekaṁ gāthaṁ bhāseyyāmā”ti.

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 seyyathāpi nāma balavā puriso samiñjitaṁ vā bāhaṁ pasāreyya pasāritaṁ vā bāhaṁ samiñjeyya; evameva—suddhāvāsesu devesu antarahitā bhagavato purato pāturahesuṁ.

They bowed to the Buddha and stood to one side.

Atha kho tā devatā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhaṁsu.

Standing to one side, one deity recited this verse in the Buddha’s presence:

Ekamantaṁ ṭhitā kho ekā devatā bhagavato santike imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi:

“There’s a great congregation in the woods,

“Mahāsamayo pavanasmiṁ,

a host of gods have assembled.

Devakāyā samāgatā;

We’ve come to this righteous congregation

Āgatamha imaṁ dhammasamayaṁ,

to see the invincible Saṅgha!”

Dakkhitāye aparājitasaṅghan”ti.

Then another deity recited this verse in the Buddha’s presence:

Atha kho aparā devatā bhagavato santike imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi:

“The bhikkhū there are immersed in samādhi,

“Tatra bhikkhavo samādahaṁsu,

they’ve straightened out their own minds.

Cittamattano ujukaṁ akaṁsu;

Like a charioteer who has taken the reins,

Sārathīva nettāni gahetvā,

the astute ones protect their senses.”

Indriyāni rakkhanti paṇḍitā”ti.

Then another deity recited this verse in the Buddha’s presence:

Atha kho aparā devatā bhagavato santike imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi:

“Having cut the stake and cut the bar,

“Chetvā khīlaṁ chetvā palighaṁ,

they’re unstirred, with boundary pillar uprooted.

Indakhīlaṁ ūhacca manejā;

They live pure and immaculate,

Te caranti suddhā vimalā,

the young dragons tamed by the seer.”

Cakkhumatā sudantā susunāgā”ti.

Then another deity recited this verse in the Buddha’s presence:

Atha kho aparā devatā bhagavato santike imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi:

“Anyone who has gone to the Buddha for refuge

“Ye keci buddhaṁ saraṇaṁ gatāse,

won’t go to a plane of loss.

Na te gamissanti apāyabhūmiṁ;

After giving up this human body,

Pahāya mānusaṁ dehaṁ,

they swell the hosts of gods.”

Devakāyaṁ paripūressantī”ti.

1. The Gathering of Deities

1. Devatāsannipāta

Then the Buddha said to the bhikkhū:

Atha kho bhagavā bhikkhū āmantesi:

Bhikkhū, most of the deities from ten solar systems have gathered to see the Realized One and the bhikkhu Saṅgha.

“yebhuyyena, bhikkhave, dasasu lokadhātūsu devatā sannipatitā honti, tathāgataṁ dassanāya bhikkhusaṅghañca.

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, ahesuṁ atītamaddhānaṁ arahanto sammāsambuddhā, tesampi bhagavantānaṁ etapparamāyeva devatā sannipatitā ahesuṁ seyyathāpi mayhaṁ etarahi.

Yepi te, bhikkhave, bhavissanti anāgatamaddhānaṁ arahanto sammāsambuddhā, tesampi bhagavantānaṁ etapparamāyeva devatā sannipatitā bhavissanti seyyathāpi mayhaṁ etarahi.

I shall declare the names of the heavenly hosts;

Ācikkhissāmi, bhikkhave, devakāyānaṁ nāmāni;

I shall extol the names of the heavenly hosts;

kittayissāmi, bhikkhave, devakāyānaṁ nāmāni;

I shall teach the names of the heavenly hosts.

desessāmi, bhikkhave, devakāyānaṁ nāmāni.

Listen and pay close attention, I will speak.”

Taṁ suṇātha, sādhukaṁ manasikarotha, bhāsissāmī”ti.

“Yes, sir,” they replied.

“Evaṁ, bhante”ti kho te bhikkhū bhagavato paccassosuṁ.

The Buddha said this:

Bhagavā etadavoca:

“I shall invoke a paean of praise!

“Silokamanukassāmi,

Where the earth-gods dwell,

yattha bhummā tadassitā;

there, in mountain caves,

Ye sitā girigabbharaṁ,

resolute and composed,

pahitattā samāhitā.

dwell many like lonely lions,

Puthūsīhāva sallīnā,

who have mastered their fears.

lomahaṁsābhisambhuno;

Their minds are bright and pure,

Odātamanasā suddhā,

clear and undisturbed.”

vippasannamanāvilā.

The teacher knew that over five hundred

Bhiyyo pañcasate ñatvā,

were in the wood at Kapilavatthu.

vane kāpilavatthave;

Therefore he addressed

Tato āmantayī satthā,

the disciples who love the teaching:

sāvake sāsane rate.

“The heavenly hosts have come forth;

‘Devakāyā abhikkantā,

bhikkhū, you should be aware of them.”

te vijānātha bhikkhavo’;

Those monks became keen,

Te ca ātappamakaruṁ,

hearing the Buddha’s instruction.

sutvā buddhassa sāsanaṁ.

Knowledge manifested in them,

Tesaṁ pāturahu ñāṇaṁ,

seeing those non-human beings.

amanussānadassanaṁ;

Some saw a hundred,

Appeke satamaddakkhuṁ,

a thousand, even seventy thousand,

sahassaṁ atha sattariṁ.

while some saw a hundred thousand

Sataṁ eke sahassānaṁ,

non-human beings.

amanussānamaddasuṁ;

But some saw an endless number

Appekenantamaddakkhuṁ,

spread out in every direction.

disā sabbā phuṭā ahuṁ.

And all that was known

Tañca sabbaṁ abhiññāya,

and distinguished by the Seer.

vavatthitvāna cakkhumā;

Therefore he addressed

Tato āmantayī satthā,

the disciples who love the teaching:

sāvake sāsane rate.

“The heavenly hosts have come forth;

‘Devakāyā abhikkantā,

bhikkhū, you should be aware of them.

te vijānātha bhikkhavo;

I shall extol them for you,

Ye vohaṁ kittayissāmi,

with lyrics in proper order.

girāhi anupubbaso’.

There are seven thousand spirits,

Sattasahassā te yakkhā,

earth-gods of Kapilavatthu.

bhummā kāpilavatthavā;

They’re powerful and brilliant,

Iddhimanto jutimanto,

so beautiful and glorious.

vaṇṇavanto yasassino;

Rejoicing, they’ve come forth

Modamānā abhikkāmuṁ,

to the meeting of bhikkhū in the wood.

bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ.

From the Himalayas there are six thousand

Chasahassā hemavatā,

spirits of different colors.

yakkhā nānattavaṇṇino;

They’re powerful and brilliant,

Iddhimanto jutimanto,

so beautiful and glorious.

vaṇṇavanto yasassino;

Rejoicing, they’ve come forth

Modamānā abhikkāmuṁ,

to the meeting of bhikkhū in the wood.

bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ.

From Mount Sātā there are three thousand

Sātāgirā tisahassā,

spirits of different colors.

yakkhā nānattavaṇṇino;

They’re powerful and brilliant,

Iddhimanto jutimanto,

so beautiful and glorious.

vaṇṇavanto yasassino;

Rejoicing, they’ve come forth

Modamānā abhikkāmuṁ,

to the meeting of bhikkhū in the wood.

bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ.

And thus there are sixteen thousand

Iccete soḷasasahassā,

spirits of different colors.

yakkhā nānattavaṇṇino;

They’re powerful and brilliant,

Iddhimanto jutimanto,

so beautiful and glorious.

vaṇṇavanto yasassino;

Rejoicing, they’ve come forth

Modamānā abhikkāmuṁ,

to the meeting of bhikkhū in the wood.

bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ.

From Vessamittā there are five hundred

Vessāmittā pañcasatā,

spirits of different colors.

yakkhā nānattavaṇṇino;

They’re powerful and brilliant,

Iddhimanto jutimanto,

so beautiful and glorious.

vaṇṇavanto yasassino;

Rejoicing, they’ve come forth

Modamānā abhikkāmuṁ,

to the meeting of bhikkhū in the wood.

bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ.

And there’s Kumbhīra of Rājagaha,

Kumbhīro rājagahiko,

whose home is on Mount Vepulla.

vepullassa nivesanaṁ;

Attended by more than

Bhiyyo naṁ satasahassaṁ,

a hundred thousand spirits,

yakkhānaṁ payirupāsati;

Kumbhīra of Rājagaha

Kumbhīro rājagahiko,

also came to the meeting in the wood.

sopāgā samitiṁ vanaṁ.

King Dhataraṭṭha rules

Purimañca disaṁ rājā,

the eastern quarter.

dhataraṭṭho pasāsati;

Lord of the fairies,

Gandhabbānaṁ adhipati,

he’s a great king, glorious.

mahārājā yasassiso.

And he has many mighty sons

Puttāpi tassa bahavo,

all of them named Indra.

indanāmā mahabbalā;

They’re powerful and brilliant,

Iddhimanto jutimanto,

so beautiful and glorious.

vaṇṇavanto yasassino;

Rejoicing, they’ve come forth

Modamānā abhikkāmuṁ,

to the meeting of bhikkhū in the wood.

bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ.

King Virūḷha rules

Dakkhiṇañca disaṁ rājā,

the southern quarter.

virūḷho taṁ pasāsati;

Lord of the goblins,

Kumbhaṇḍānaṁ adhipati,

he’s a great king, glorious.

mahārājā yasassiso.

And he has many mighty sons

Puttāpi tassa bahavo,

all of them named Indra.

indanāmā mahabbalā;

They’re powerful and brilliant,

Iddhimanto jutimanto,

so beautiful and glorious.

vaṇṇavanto yasassino;

Rejoicing, they’ve come forth

Modamānā abhikkāmuṁ,

to the meeting of bhikkhū in the wood.

bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ.

King Virūpakkha rules

Pacchimañca disaṁ rājā,

the western quarter.

virūpakkho pasāsati;

Lord of the dragons,

Nāgānañca adhipati,

he’s a great king, glorious.

mahārājā yasassiso.

And he has many mighty sons

Puttāpi tassa bahavo,

all of them named Indra.

indanāmā mahabbalā;

They’re powerful and brilliant,

Iddhimanto jutimanto,

so beautiful and glorious.

vaṇṇavanto yasassino;

Rejoicing, they’ve come forth

Modamānā abhikkāmuṁ,

to the meeting of bhikkhū in the wood.

bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ.

King Kuvera rules

Uttarañca disaṁ rājā,

the northern quarter.

kuvero taṁ pasāsati;

Lord of spirits,

Yakkhānañca adhipati,

he’s a great king, glorious.

mahārājā yasassiso.

And he has many mighty sons

Puttāpi tassa bahavo,

all of them named Indra.

indanāmā mahabbalā;

They’re powerful and brilliant,

Iddhimanto jutimanto,

so beautiful and glorious.

vaṇṇavanto yasassino;

Rejoicing, they’ve come forth

Modamānā abhikkāmuṁ,

to the meeting of bhikkhū in the wood.

bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ.

Dhataraṭṭha in the east,

Purimaṁ disaṁ dhataraṭṭho,

Virūḷhaka to the south,

dakkhiṇena virūḷhako;

Virūpakkha to the west,

Pacchimena virūpakkho,

and Kuvera in the north.

kuvero uttaraṁ disaṁ.

These Four Great Kings,

Cattāro te mahārājā,

all around in the four quarters,

samantā caturo disā;

stood there dazzling

Daddallamānā aṭṭhaṁsu,

in the wood at Kapilavatthu.

vane kāpilavatthave.

Their deceitful bondservants came,

Tesaṁ māyāvino dāsā,

so treacherous and crafty—

āguṁ vañcanikā saṭhā;

the deceivers Kuṭeṇḍu, Viṭeṇḍu,

Māyā kuṭeṇḍu viṭeṇḍu,

with Viṭucca and Viṭuḍa.

viṭucca viṭuṭo saha.

And Candana and Kāmaseṭṭha,

Candano kāmaseṭṭho ca,

Kinnughaṇḍu and Nighaṇḍu,

kinnighaṇḍu nighaṇḍu ca;

Panāda and Opamañña,

Panādo opamañño ca,

and Mātali, the god’s charioteer.

devasūto ca mātali.

Cittasena the fairy came too,

Cittaseno ca gandhabbo,

and the kings Nala and Janesabha,

naḷorājā janesabho;

as well as Pañcasikha,

Āgā pañcasikho ceva,

Timbaru, and Suriyavacchasā.

timbarū sūriyavacchasā.

These and other kings there were,

Ete caññe ca rājāno,

the fairies with their kings.

gandhabbā saha rājubhi;

Rejoicing, they’ve come forth

Modamānā abhikkāmuṁ,

to the meeting of bhikkhū in the wood.

bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ.

Then came dragons from Nābhasa,

Athāguṁ nāgasā nāgā,

and Vesālī, with the Tacchakas.

vesālā sahatacchakā;

The Kambalas and Assataras came

Kambalassatarā āguṁ,

from Pāyāga with their kin.

pāyāgā saha ñātibhi.

From Yamunā the Dhataraṭṭha

Yāmunā dhataraṭṭhā ca,

dragons came, so glorious.

āgū nāgā yasassino;

And Erāvaṇa the great dragon

Erāvaṇo mahānāgo,

also came to the meeting in the wood.

sopāgā samitiṁ vanaṁ.

Those who seize the dragon kings by force—

Ye nāgarāje sahasā haranti,

divine, twice-born birds with piercing vision—

Dibbā dijā pakkhi visuddhacakkhū;

swoop down to the wood from the sky;

Vehāyasā te vanamajjhapattā,

their name is ‘Rainbow Phoenix’.

Citrā supaṇṇā iti tesa nāmaṁ.

But the dragon kings remained fearless,

Abhayaṁ tadā nāgarājānamāsi,

for the Buddha kept them safe from the phoenixes.

Supaṇṇato khemamakāsi buddho;

Introducing each other with gentle words,

Saṇhāhi vācāhi upavhayantā,

the dragons and phoenixes took the Buddha as their refuge.

Nāgā supaṇṇā saraṇamakaṁsu buddhaṁ.

Defeated by Vajirahattha,

Jitā vajirahatthena,

the demons live in the ocean.

samuddaṁ asurāsitā;

They’re brothers of Vāsava,

Bhātaro vāsavassete,

powerful and glorious.

iddhimanto yasassino.

There’s the terrifying Kālakañjas,

Kālakañcā mahābhismā,

the Dānaveghasa demons,

asurā dānaveghasā;

Vepacitti and Sucitti,

Vepacitti sucitti ca,

Pahārāda with Namuci,

pahārādo namucī saha.

and a hundred of Bali’s sons,

Satañca baliputtānaṁ,

all named after Veroca.

sabbe verocanāmakā;

Bali’s army armed themselves

Sannayhitvā balisenaṁ,

and went up to the auspicious Rāhu, saying:

rāhubhaddamupāgamuṁ;

‘Now is the time, sir,

‘Samayo dāni bhaddante,

for the meeting of bhikkhū in the wood.’

bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ’.

The gods of Water and Earth,

Āpo ca devā pathavī,

and Fire and Wind came there.

tejo vāyo tadāgamuṁ;

The Varuṇa and Vāruṇa gods,

Varuṇā vāraṇā devā,

and Soma together with Yasa.

somo ca yasasā saha.

A host of the gods of Love

Mettā karuṇā kāyikā,

and Compassion came, so glorious.

āguṁ devā yasassino;

These ten hosts of gods

Dasete dasadhā kāyā,

shone in all different colors.

sabbe nānattavaṇṇino.

They’re powerful and brilliant,

Iddhimanto jutimanto,

so beautiful and glorious.

vaṇṇavanto yasassino;

Rejoicing, they’ve come forth

Modamānā abhikkāmuṁ,

to the meeting of bhikkhū in the wood.

bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ.

The Veṇhu and Sahali gods,

Veṇḍudevā sahali ca,

and Asama, and the twin Yamas came.

asamā ca duve yamā;

The gods living on the moon came,

Candassūpanisā devā,

with the Moon before them.

candamāguṁ purakkhatvā.

The gods living on the sun came,

Sūriyassūpanisā devā,

with the Sun before them.

sūriyamāguṁ purakkhatvā;

And with the stars before them

Nakkhattāni purakkhatvā,

came the silly gods of clouds.

āguṁ mandavalāhakā.

And Sakka came, the stronghold-giver,

Vasūnaṁ vāsavo seṭṭho,

known as Vāsava, the first of the Vasus.

sakkopāgā purindado;

These ten hosts of gods

Dasete dasadhā kāyā,

shone in all different colors.

sabbe nānattavaṇṇino.

They’re powerful and brilliant,

Iddhimanto jutimanto,

so beautiful and glorious.

vaṇṇavanto yasassino;

Rejoicing, they’ve come forth

Modamānā abhikkāmuṁ,

to the meeting of bhikkhū in the wood.

bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ.

Then came the Sahabhū gods,

Athāguṁ sahabhū devā,

blazing like a crested flame;

jalamaggi sikhāriva;

and the Ariṭṭhakas and Rojas too,

Ariṭṭhakā ca rojā ca,

and the gods hued blue as flax.

umāpupphanibhāsino.

The Varuṇas and Sahadhammas,

Varuṇā sahadhammā ca,

the Accutas and Anejakas,

accutā ca anejakā;

the Sūleyyas and Ruciras all came,

Sūleyyarucirā āguṁ,

as did the Vāsavanesi gods.

āguṁ vāsavanesino;

These ten hosts of gods

Dasete dasadhā kāyā,

shone in all different colors.

sabbe nānattavaṇṇino.

They’re powerful and brilliant,

Iddhimanto jutimanto,

so beautiful and glorious.

vaṇṇavanto yasassino;

Rejoicing, they’ve come forth

Modamānā abhikkāmuṁ,

to the meeting of bhikkhū in the wood.

bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ.

The Samānas, Mahāsamānas,

Samānā mahāsamanā,

Mānusas, and Mānusuttamas all came,

mānusā mānusuttamā;

and the gods depraved by play,

Khiḍḍāpadosikā āguṁ,

and those who are malevolent.

āguṁ manopadosikā.

Then came the Hari gods,

Athāguṁ harayo devā,

and the Lohitavāsīs.

ye ca lohitavāsino;

The Pāragas and Mahāpāragas came,

Pāragā mahāpāragā,

such glorious gods.

āguṁ devā yasassino;

These ten hosts of gods

Dasete dasadhā kāyā,

shone in all different colors.

sabbe nānattavaṇṇino.

They’re powerful and brilliant,

Iddhimanto jutimanto,

so beautiful and glorious.

vaṇṇavanto yasassino;

Rejoicing, they’ve come forth

Modamānā abhikkāmuṁ,

to the meeting of bhikkhū in the wood.

bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ.

The Sukkas, Karumhas, and Aruṇas

Sukkā karambhā aruṇā,

came along with the Veghanasas.

āguṁ veghanasā saha;

And the Odātagayhas came as chiefs

Odātagayhā pāmokkhā,

of the Vicakkhaṇa gods.

āguṁ devā vicakkhaṇā.

The Sadāmattas and Hāragajas,

Sadāmattā hāragajā,

and the glorious Missakas;

missakā ca yasassino;

Pajjuna came thundering,

Thanayaṁ āga pajjunno,

he who rains on all quarters.

yo disā abhivassati.

These ten hosts of gods

Dasete dasadhā kāyā,

shone in all different colors.

sabbe nānattavaṇṇino;

They’re powerful and brilliant,

Iddhimanto jutimanto,

so beautiful and glorious.

vaṇṇavanto yasassino;

Rejoicing, they’ve come forth

Modamānā abhikkāmuṁ,

to the meeting of bhikkhū in the wood.

bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ.

The Khemiyas, Tusitas, Yāmas,

Khemiyā tusitā yāmā,

and the glorious Kaṭṭhakas came;

kaṭṭhakā ca yasassino;

The Lambītakas, Lāmaseṭṭhas,

Lambītakā lāmaseṭṭhā,

those called the Jotis and Āsavas.

jotināmā ca āsavā;

The Gods Who Love to Create came too,

Nimmānaratino āguṁ,

and those who delight in the Creations of Others.

athāguṁ paranimmitā.

These ten hosts of gods

Dasete dasadhā kāyā,

shone in all different colors.

sabbe nānattavaṇṇino;

They’re powerful and brilliant,

Iddhimanto jutimanto,

so beautiful and glorious.

vaṇṇavanto yasassino;

Rejoicing, they’ve come forth

Modamānā abhikkāmuṁ,

to the meeting of bhikkhū in the wood.

bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ.

These sixty hosts of gods

Saṭṭhete devanikāyā,

shone in all different colors.

sabbe nānattavaṇṇino;

They came in order of their names,

Nāmanvayena āgacchuṁ,

these and others likewise, thinking:

ye caññe sadisā saha.

‘We shall see those rid of rebirth, kind,

‘Pavuṭṭhajātimakhilaṁ,

the undefiled ones who have crossed the flood,

oghatiṇṇamanāsavaṁ;

and the dragon who brought them across,

Dakkhemoghataraṁ nāgaṁ,

who like the Moon has overcome darkness.’

candaṁva asitātigaṁ’.

Subrahmā and Paramatta came,

Subrahmā paramatto ca,

with sons of those powerful ones.

puttā iddhimato saha;

Sanaṅkumāra and Tissa

Sanaṅkumāro tisso ca,

also came to the meeting in the wood.

sopāga samitiṁ vanaṁ.

Of a thousand Brahmā realms,

Sahassaṁ brahmalokānaṁ,

the Great Brahmā stands forth.

mahābrahmābhitiṭṭhati;

He has arisen, resplendent,

Upapanno jutimanto,

his formidable body so glorious.

bhismākāyo yasassiso.

The ten Issarās came there,

Dasettha issarā āguṁ,

each one of them wielding power,

paccekavasavattino;

and in the middle of them came

Tesañca majjhato āga,

Hārita with his following.”

hārito parivārito.

When they had all come forth—

Te ca sabbe abhikkante,

the gods with their Lord, and the Brahmās—

sainde deve sabrahmake;

Māra’s army came forth too:

Mārasenā abhikkāmi,

see the stupidity of the Dark Lord!

passa kaṇhassa mandiyaṁ.

“Come, seize them and bind them,” he said,

‘Etha gaṇhatha bandhatha,

“let them be bound by desire!

rāgena baddhamatthu vo;

Surround them on all sides,

Samantā parivāretha,

don’t let any escape!”

mā vo muñcittha koci naṁ’.

And so there the great general

Iti tattha mahāseno,

sent forth his dark army.

kaṇho senaṁ apesayi;

He struck the ground with his fist

Pāṇinā talamāhacca,

to make a horrifying sound

saraṁ katvāna bheravaṁ.

like a storm cloud shedding rain,

Yathā pāvussako megho,

thundering and flashing.

thanayanto savijjuko;

But then he retreated,

Tadā so paccudāvatti,

furious, out of control.

saṅkuddho asayaṁvase.

And all that was known

Tañca sabbaṁ abhiññāya,

and distinguished by the Seer.

vavatthitvāna cakkhumā;

Therefore he addressed

Tato āmantayī satthā,

the disciples who love the teaching:

sāvake sāsane rate.

“Māra’s army has arrived;

‘Mārasenā abhikkantā,

bhikkhū, you should be aware of them.”

te vijānātha bhikkhavo’;

Those monks became keen,

Te ca ātappamakaruṁ,

hearing the Buddha’s instruction.

sutvā buddhassa sāsanaṁ;

The army fled from those free of passion,

Vītarāgehi pakkāmuṁ,

and not a single hair was stirred!

nesaṁ lomāpi iñjayuṁ.

“All are triumphant in battle,

‘Sabbe vijitasaṅgāmā,

so fearless and glorious.

bhayātītā yasassino;

They rejoice with all the spirits,

Modanti saha bhūtehi,

the disciples well-known among men.”

sāvakā te janesutā’”ti.

 

Summary by Bhikkhu Bodhi

Mahā Samaya Sutta: The Mighty Gathering (Devas Come to See the Buddha). A Sutta practically all in verse giving much mythological lore.