SN 1–11 The Group of Connected Discourses With Verses – Sagāthāvaggasaṁyutta > SN 2 Connected Discourses on Gods – Devaputtasaṁyutta > SN 2.9 The Moon

Linked Discourses 2.9 – Saṁyutta Nikāya 2.9

Chapter One – 1. Paṭhamavagga

SN 2.9 The Moon – Candimasutta

At Sāvatthī.

Sāvatthinidānaṁ.

Now at that time the Moon God had been seized by Rāhu, lord of demons.

Tena kho pana samayena candimā devaputto rāhunā asurindena gahito hoti.

Then the Moon God, recollecting the Buddha, at that time recited this verse:

Atha kho candimā devaputto bhagavantaṁ anussaramāno tāyaṁ velāyaṁ imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi:

“Homage to you, Buddha, hero!

“Namo te buddha vīratthu,

You’re free in every way.

vippamuttosi sabbadhi;

I’ve wandered into confinement:

Sambādhapaṭipannosmi,

be my refuge!”

tassa me saraṇaṁ bhavā”ti.

Then the Buddha addressed Rāhu in verse concerning the Moon God:

Atha kho bhagavā candimaṁ devaputtaṁ ārabbha rāhuṁ asurindaṁ gāthāya ajjhabhāsi:

“The Moon God has gone for refuge

“Tathāgataṁ arahantaṁ,

to the Realized One, the perfected one.

candimā saraṇaṁ gato;

The Buddhas have compassion for the world—

Rāhu candaṁ pamuñcassu,

so Rāhu, release the Moon!”

buddhā lokānukampakā”ti.

Then Rāhu, having released the Moon, rushed to see Vepacitti, lord of demons and stood to one side, shocked and awestruck.

Atha kho rāhu asurindo candimaṁ devaputtaṁ muñcitvā taramānarūpo yena vepacitti asurindo tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā saṁviggo lomahaṭṭhajāto ekamantaṁ aṭṭhāsi.

Vepacitti addressed him in verse:

Ekamantaṁ ṭhitaṁ kho rāhuṁ asurindaṁ vepacitti asurindo gāthāya ajjhabhāsi:

“Why the rush?

“Kiṁ nu santaramānova,

Rāhu, you released the Moon

rāhu candaṁ pamuñcasi;

and came here looking like you’re in shock:

Saṁviggarūpo āgamma,

why do you stand there so scared?”

kiṁ nu bhītova tiṭṭhasī”ti.

“My head would have exploded in seven pieces,

“Sattadhā me phale muddhā,

I would have found no happiness in life,

jīvanto na sukhaṁ labhe;

if, when enchanted by the Buddha’s spell,

Buddhagāthābhigītomhi,

I had not released the Moon.”

no ce muñceyya candiman”ti.