SN 1–11 The Group of Connected Discourses With Verses – Sagāthāvaggasaṁyutta > SN 4 Connected Discourses With Māra – Mārasaṁyutta > SN 4.18 Alms Food

Linked Discourses 4.18 – Saṁyutta Nikāya 4.18

2. Rule – 2. Dutiyavagga

SN 4.18 Alms Food – Piṇḍasutta

At one time the Buddha was staying in the land of the Magadhans near the brahmin village of Pañcasālā.

Ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā magadhesu viharati pañcasālāyaṁ brāhmaṇagāme.

Now at that time in Pañcasālā the young women were taking care of guests.

Tena kho pana samayena pañcasālāyaṁ brāhmaṇagāme kumārikānaṁ pāhunakāni bhavanti.

Then the Buddha robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, entered Pañcasālā for alms.

Atha kho bhagavā pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya pañcasālaṁ brāhmaṇagāmaṁ piṇḍāya pāvisi.

Now at that time Māra had possessed the brahmins and householders of Pañcasālā, so that they thought,

Tena kho pana samayena pañcasāleyyakā brāhmaṇagahapatikā mārena pāpimatā anvāviṭṭhā bhavanti:

“Don’t let the ascetic Gotama get any alms!”

“mā samaṇo gotamo piṇḍamalatthā”ti.

Then the Buddha left the village with his bowl as clean-washed as it was when he entered for alms.

Atha kho bhagavā yathādhotena pattena pañcasālaṁ brāhmaṇagāmaṁ piṇḍāya pāvisi tathādhotena pattena paṭikkami.

Then Māra the Wicked went up to the Buddha and said to him,

Atha kho māro pāpimā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

“Well, ascetic, did you get any alms?”

“api tvaṁ, samaṇa, piṇḍamalatthā”ti?

“Wicked One, did you make sure I didn’t get any alms?”

“Tathā nu tvaṁ, pāpima, akāsi yathāhaṁ piṇḍaṁ na labheyyan”ti.

“Well then, sir, let the Buddha enter Pañcasālā a second time for alms.

“Tena hi, bhante, bhagavā dutiyampi pañcasālaṁ brāhmaṇagāmaṁ piṇḍāya pavisatu.

I’ll make sure you get alms.”

Tathāhaṁ karissāmi yathā bhagavā piṇḍaṁ lacchatī”ti.

“Māra’s made bad karma

“Apuññaṁ pasavi māro,

in attacking the Realized One.

āsajja naṁ tathāgataṁ;

Wicked One, do you imagine that

Kiṁ nu maññasi pāpima,

your wickedness won’t bear fruit?

na me pāpaṁ vipaccati.

Let us live so very happily,

Susukhaṁ vata jīvāma,

we who have nothing.

yesaṁ no natthi kiñcanaṁ;

We shall feed on rapture,

Pītibhakkhā bhavissāma,

like the gods of streaming radiance.”

devā ābhassarā yathā”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.