SN 1–11 The Group of Connected Discourses With Verses – Sagāthāvaggasaṁyutta > SN 4 Connected Discourses With Māra – Mārasaṁyutta > SN 4.3 Beautiful

Linked Discourses 4.3 – Saṁyutta Nikāya 4.3

1. Life Span – 1. Paṭhamavagga

SN 4.3 Beautiful – Subhasutta

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, approached him, and while not far away generated a rainbow of bright colors, both beautiful and ugly.

Atha kho māro pāpimā, bhagavato bhayaṁ chambhitattaṁ lomahaṁsaṁ uppādetukāmo, yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavato avidūre uccāvacā vaṇṇanibhā upadaṁseti, subhā ceva asubhā ca.

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

Atha kho bhagavā “māro ayaṁ pāpimā” iti viditvā māraṁ pāpimantaṁ gāthāhi 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 antaka.

Those who are well restrained

Ye ca kāyena vācāya,

in body, speech, and mind

manasā ca susaṁvutā;

don’t fall under Māra’s sway,

Na te māravasānugā,

nor are they your lackies.”

na te mārassa baddhagū”ti.

Then Māra … vanished right there.

Atha kho māro …pe… tatthevantaradhāyīti.