SN 1–11 The Group of Connected Discourses With Verses – Sagāthāvaggasaṁyutta > SN 4 Connected Discourses With Māra – Mārasaṁyutta > SN 4.2 In the Form of an Elephant King

Linked Discourses 4.2 – Saṁyutta Nikāya 4.2

1. Life Span – 1. Paṭhamavagga

SN 4.2 In the Form of an Elephant King – Hatthirājavaṇṇasutta

So I have heard.

Evaṁ me sutaṁ—

At one time, when he was first awakened, the Buddha was staying near Uruvelā at the root of the goatherd’s banyan tree on the bank of the Nerañjarā River.

ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā uruvelāyaṁ viharati najjā nerañjarāya tīre ajapālanigrodhamūle paṭhamābhisambuddho.

Now at that time the Buddha was meditating in the open during the dark of night, while a gentle rain drizzled down.

Tena kho pana samayena bhagavā rattandhakāratimisāyaṁ abbhokāse nisinno hoti, devo ca ekamekaṁ phusāyati.

Then Māra the Wicked, wanting to make the Buddha feel fear, terror, and goosebumps, manifested in the form of a huge elephant king and approached him.

Atha kho māro pāpimā bhagavato bhayaṁ chambhitattaṁ lomahaṁsaṁ uppādetukāmo mahantaṁ hatthirājavaṇṇaṁ abhinimminitvā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami.

Its head was like a huge block of soapstone.

Seyyathāpi nāma mahāariṭṭhako maṇi;

evamassa sīsaṁ hoti.

Its tusks were like pure silver.

Seyyathāpi nāma suddhaṁ rūpiyaṁ;

evamassa dantā honti.

Its trunk was like a long plough pole.

Seyyathāpi nāma mahatī naṅgalīsā;

evamassa soṇḍo hoti.

Then the Buddha, knowing that this was Māra the Wicked, addressed him in verse:

Atha kho bhagavā “māro ayaṁ pāpimā” iti viditvā māraṁ pāpimantaṁ gāthāya ajjhabhāsi:

“Transmigrating for such a long time,

“Saṁsaraṁ dīghamaddhānaṁ,

you’ve made forms beautiful and ugly.

Vaṇṇaṁ katvā subhāsubhaṁ;

Enough of this, Wicked One!

Alaṁ te tena pāpima,

You’re beaten, terminator!”

Nihato tvamasi antakā”ti.

Then Māra the Wicked, thinking, “The Buddha knows me! The Holy One knows me!” miserable and sad, vanished right there.

Atha kho māro pāpimā “jānāti maṁ bhagavā, jānāti maṁ sugato”ti dukkhī dummano tatthevantaradhāyīti.