The Buddha describes four who are regarded as foremost in the world—including Rāhu among titans, King Mandhātā among pleasure seekers, Māra in sovereignty, and the Realized One as best among gods and humans.

AN 4.15 Regarded as Foremost

“Catasso imā, bhikkhave, aggapaññattiyo. Katamā catasso? Etadaggaṁ, bhikkhave, attabhāvīnaṁ yadidaṁ rāhu asurindo. Etadaggaṁ, bhikkhave, kāmabhogīnaṁ yadidaṁ rājā mandhātā. Etadaggaṁ, bhikkhave, ādhipateyyānaṁ yadidaṁ māro pāpimā. Sadevake, bhikkhave, loke samārake sabrahmake sassamaṇabrāhmaṇiyā pajāya sadevamanussāya tathāgato aggamakkhāyati arahaṁ sammāsambuddho. Imā kho, bhikkhave, catasso aggapaññattiyoti.

Rāhuggaṁ attabhāvīnaṁ,
mandhātā kāmabhoginaṁ;
Māro ādhipateyyānaṁ,
iddhiyā yasasā jalaṁ.

Uddhaṁ tiriyaṁ apācīnaṁ,
yāvatājagatogati;
Sadevakassa lokassa,
buddho aggo pavuccatī”ti.

Pañcamaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Catasso imā, bhikkhave, aggapaññattiyo.

“Mendicants, these four are regarded as foremost.

Katamā catasso?

What four?

Etadaggaṁ, bhikkhave, attabhāvīnaṁ yadidaṁ

The foremost in size of incarnation is

rāhu asurindo.

Rāhu, lord of titans.

Etadaggaṁ, bhikkhave, kāmabhogīnaṁ yadidaṁ

The foremost pleasure seeker is

rājā mandhātā.

King Mandhātā.

Etadaggaṁ, bhikkhave, ādhipateyyānaṁ yadidaṁ

The foremost in sovereignty is

māro pāpimā.

Māra the Wicked.

Sadevake, bhikkhave, loke samārake sabrahmake sassamaṇabrāhmaṇiyā pajāya sadevamanussāya tathāgato aggamakkhāyati arahaṁ sammāsambuddho.

In this world—with its gods, Māras, and divinities, this population with its ascetics and brahmins, gods and humans—a Realized One, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha is said to be the best.

Imā kho, bhikkhave, catasso aggapaññattiyoti.

These are the four regarded as foremost.

Rāhuggaṁ attabhāvīnaṁ,

Rāhu is foremost in size of incarnation,

mandhātā kāmabhoginaṁ;

Mandhātā in enjoying sensual pleasures,

Māro ādhipateyyānaṁ,

Māra in sovereignty,

iddhiyā yasasā jalaṁ.

shining with power and glory.

Uddhaṁ tiriyaṁ apācīnaṁ,

Above, below, all round,

yāvatājagatogati;

as far as the planet extends;

Sadevakassa lokassa,

in all the world with its gods,

buddho aggo pavuccatī”ti.

the Buddha is declared foremost.”

Pañcamaṁ.

Qualities:

Recollection of the Buddha

Recollection of the Buddha

A mental quality of reflecting on the qualities of the Buddha, which counters doubt and strengthens faith.

Also known as: recollection of Buddha, mindfulness of the Buddha, reflection on the qualities of the Buddha
Pāli: buddhānussati, buddhānusmṛti
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Sensual desire

Sensual desire

A mental quality of desiring sensory gratification. It pulls the mind’s attention toward sights, sounds, smells, tastes, or touches in a search for satisfaction.

Also known as: craving for sensuality, passion for sensual pleasures, lust, pull toward enticing sense objects
Pāli: kāmacchanda
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Last updated on July 27, 2026