DN 20 The Great Congregation

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

Evaṁ me sutaṁ—

¶ 1So I have heard.

ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sakkesu viharati kapilavatthusmiṁ mahāvane mahatā bhikkhusaṅghena saddhiṁ pañcamattehi bhikkhusatehi sabbeheva arahantehi;

¶ 2At one time the Buddha was staying in the land of the Sakyans, in the Great Wood near Kapilavatthu, together with a large Saṅgha of five hundred mendicants, all of whom were perfected ones.

dasahi ca lokadhātūhi devatā yebhuyyena sannipatitā honti bhagavantaṁ dassanāya bhikkhusaṅghañca.

¶ 3And most of the deities from ten solar systems had gathered to see the Buddha and the Saṅgha of mendicants.

Atha kho catunnaṁ suddhāvāsakāyikānaṁ devatānaṁ etadahosi:

¶ 4Then four deities of the Pure Abodes, aware of what was happening, thought:

“ayaṁ kho bhagavā sakkesu viharati kapilavatthusmiṁ mahāvane mahatā bhikkhusaṅghena saddhiṁ pañcamattehi bhikkhusatehi sabbeheva arahantehi;

dasahi ca lokadhātūhi devatā yebhuyyena sannipatitā honti bhagavantaṁ dassanāya bhikkhusaṅghañca.

Yannūna mayampi yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkameyyāma; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavato santike paccekaṁ gāthaṁ bhāseyyāmā”ti.

¶ 7“Why don’t we go to the Buddha and each recite a verse in his presence?”

Atha kho tā devatā seyyathāpi nāma balavā puriso samiñjitaṁ vā bāhaṁ pasāreyya pasāritaṁ vā bāhaṁ samiñjeyya; evameva—suddhāvāsesu devesu antarahitā bhagavato purato pāturahesuṁ.

¶ 8Then, as easily as a strong person would extend or contract their arm, they vanished from the Pure Abodes and reappeared in front of the Buddha.

Atha kho tā devatā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhaṁsu.

¶ 9They bowed to the Buddha and stood to one side.

Ekamantaṁ ṭhitā kho ekā devatā bhagavato santike imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi:

¶ 10Standing to one side, one deity spoke this verse in the Buddha’s presence:

“Mahāsamayo pavanasmiṁ,

¶ 11“There’s a great congregation in the woods,

Devakāyā samāgatā;

¶ 12where heavenly hosts have assembled.

Āgatamha imaṁ dhammasamayaṁ,

¶ 13We’ve come to this righteous congregation

Dakkhitāye aparājitasaṅghan”ti.

¶ 14to see the invincible Saṅgha!”

Atha kho aparā devatā bhagavato santike imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi:

¶ 15Then another deity spoke this verse in the Buddha’s presence:

“Tatra bhikkhavo samādahaṁsu,

¶ 16“The mendicants there are immersed in samādhi,

Cittamattano ujukaṁ akaṁsu;

¶ 17they’ve straightened their own minds.

Sārathīva nettāni gahetvā,

¶ 18Like a charioteer holding the reins,

Indriyāni rakkhanti paṇḍitā”ti.

¶ 19the astute ones protect their senses.”

Atha kho aparā devatā bhagavato santike imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi:

¶ 20Then another deity spoke this verse in the Buddha’s presence:

“Chetvā khīlaṁ chetvā palighaṁ,

¶ 21“They snapped the post and snapped the cross-bar,

Indakhīlaṁ ūhacca manejā;

¶ 22unstirred, they tore out Indra’s pillar.

Te caranti suddhā vimalā,

¶ 23They live pure and immaculate,

Cakkhumatā sudantā susunāgā”ti.

¶ 24the young giants tamed by the Clear-eyed One.”

Atha kho aparā devatā bhagavato santike imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi:

¶ 25Then another deity spoke this verse in the Buddha’s presence:

“Ye keci buddhaṁ saraṇaṁ gatāse,

¶ 26“Anyone who has gone to the Buddha for refuge

Na te gamissanti apāyabhūmiṁ;

¶ 27won’t go to a plane of loss.

Pahāya mānusaṁ dehaṁ,

¶ 28After giving up this human body,

Devakāyaṁ paripūressantī”ti.

¶ 29they swell the hosts of gods.”

1. Devatāsannipāta

¶ 301. The Gathering of Deities

Atha kho bhagavā bhikkhū āmantesi:

¶ 31Then the Buddha said to the mendicants:

“yebhuyyena, bhikkhave, dasasu lokadhātūsu devatā sannipatitā honti, tathāgataṁ dassanāya bhikkhusaṅghañca.

¶ 32“Mendicants, most of the deities from ten solar systems have gathered to see the Realized One and the mendicant Saṅgha.

Yepi te, bhikkhave, ahesuṁ atītamaddhānaṁ arahanto sammāsambuddhā, tesampi bhagavantānaṁ etapparamāyeva devatā sannipatitā ahesuṁ seyyathāpi mayhaṁ etarahi.

¶ 33Those who were perfected ones, fully awakened Buddhas in the past also had gatherings of deities that were at best like the gathering for me now.

Yepi te, bhikkhave, bhavissanti anāgatamaddhānaṁ arahanto sammāsambuddhā, tesampi bhagavantānaṁ etapparamāyeva devatā sannipatitā bhavissanti seyyathāpi mayhaṁ etarahi.

¶ 34Those who will be perfected ones, fully awakened Buddhas in the future will also have gatherings of deities that will be at best like the gathering for me now.

Ācikkhissāmi, bhikkhave, devakāyānaṁ nāmāni;

¶ 35I shall declare the names of the heavenly hosts;

kittayissāmi, bhikkhave, devakāyānaṁ nāmāni;

¶ 36I shall extol the names of the heavenly hosts;

desessāmi, bhikkhave, devakāyānaṁ nāmāni.

¶ 37I shall teach the names of the heavenly hosts.

Taṁ suṇātha, sādhukaṁ manasikarotha, bhāsissāmī”ti.

¶ 38Listen and apply your mind well, I will speak.”

“Evaṁ, bhante”ti kho te bhikkhū bhagavato paccassosuṁ.

¶ 39“Yes, sir,” they replied.

Bhagavā etadavoca:

¶ 40The Buddha said this:

“Silokamanukassāmi,

¶ 41“I invoke a paean of praise!

yattha bhummā tadassitā;

¶ 42Where the earth-gods dwell,

Ye sitā girigabbharaṁ,

¶ 43there, in mountain caves,

pahitattā samāhitā.

¶ 44resolute and composed,

Puthūsīhāva sallīnā,

¶ 45dwell many like lonely lions,

lomahaṁsābhisambhuno;

¶ 46who have mastered their fears.

Odātamanasā suddhā,

¶ 47Their minds are bright and pure,

vippasannamanāvilā.

¶ 48clear and undisturbed.”

Bhiyyo pañcasate ñatvā,

¶ 49The teacher knew that over five hundred

vane kāpilavatthave;

¶ 50were in the wood at Kapilavatthu.

Tato āmantayī satthā,

¶ 51Therefore he addressed

sāvake sāsane rate.

¶ 52the disciples who love the teaching:

‘Devakāyā abhikkantā,

¶ 53“The heavenly hosts have come forth;

te vijānātha bhikkhavo’;

¶ 54mendicants, you should be aware of them.”

Te ca ātappamakaruṁ,

¶ 55Those monks grew keen,

sutvā buddhassa sāsanaṁ.

¶ 56hearing the Buddha’s instruction.

Tesaṁ pāturahu ñāṇaṁ,

¶ 57Knowledge manifested in them,

amanussānadassanaṁ;

¶ 58seeing those non-human beings.

Appeke satamaddakkhuṁ,

¶ 59Some saw a hundred,

sahassaṁ atha sattariṁ.

¶ 60a thousand, even seventy thousand,

Sataṁ eke sahassānaṁ,

¶ 61while some saw a hundred thousand

amanussānamaddasuṁ;

¶ 62non-human beings.

Appekenantamaddakkhuṁ,

¶ 63But some saw an endless number

disā sabbā phuṭā ahuṁ.

¶ 64spread out in every direction.

Tañca sabbaṁ abhiññāya,

¶ 65And all that was known

vavatthitvāna cakkhumā;

¶ 66and distinguished by the Clear-eyed One.

Tato āmantayī satthā,

¶ 67Therefore he addressed

sāvake sāsane rate.

¶ 68the disciples who love the teaching:

‘Devakāyā abhikkantā,

¶ 69“The heavenly hosts have come forth;

te vijānātha bhikkhavo;

¶ 70mendicants, you should be aware of them.

Ye vohaṁ kittayissāmi,

¶ 71I shall extol them for you,

girāhi anupubbaso’.

¶ 72with lyrics in proper order.

Sattasahassā te yakkhā,

¶ 73There are seven thousand spirits,

bhummā kāpilavatthavā;

¶ 74earth-gods of Kapilavatthu.

Iddhimanto jutimanto,

¶ 75They’re powerful and brilliant,

vaṇṇavanto yasassino;

¶ 76so beautiful and glorious.

Modamānā abhikkāmuṁ,

¶ 77Rejoicing, they’ve come forth

bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ.

¶ 78to the meeting of mendicants in the wood.

Chasahassā hemavatā,

¶ 79From the Himalayas there are six thousand

yakkhā nānattavaṇṇino;

¶ 80spirits of different colors.

Iddhimanto jutimanto,

¶ 81They’re powerful and brilliant,

vaṇṇavanto yasassino;

¶ 82so beautiful and glorious.

Modamānā abhikkāmuṁ,

¶ 83Rejoicing, they’ve come forth

bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ.

¶ 84to the meeting of mendicants in the wood.

Sātāgirā tisahassā,

¶ 85From Mount Sātā there are three thousand

yakkhā nānattavaṇṇino;

¶ 86spirits of different colors.

Iddhimanto jutimanto,

¶ 87They’re powerful and brilliant,

vaṇṇavanto yasassino;

¶ 88so beautiful and glorious.

Modamānā abhikkāmuṁ,

¶ 89Rejoicing, they’ve come forth

bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ.

¶ 90to the meeting of mendicants in the wood.

Iccete soḷasasahassā,

¶ 91And thus there are sixteen thousand

yakkhā nānattavaṇṇino;

¶ 92spirits of different colors.

Iddhimanto jutimanto,

¶ 93They’re powerful and brilliant,

vaṇṇavanto yasassino;

¶ 94so beautiful and glorious.

Modamānā abhikkāmuṁ,

¶ 95Rejoicing, they’ve come forth

bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ.

¶ 96to the meeting of mendicants in the wood.

Vessāmittā pañcasatā,

¶ 97From Vessāmitta’s mountain there are five hundred

yakkhā nānattavaṇṇino;

¶ 98spirits of different colors.

Iddhimanto jutimanto,

¶ 99They’re powerful and brilliant,

vaṇṇavanto yasassino;

¶ 100so beautiful and glorious.

Modamānā abhikkāmuṁ,

¶ 101Rejoicing, they’ve come forth

bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ.

¶ 102to the meeting of mendicants in the wood.

Kumbhīro rājagahiko,

¶ 103And there’s Kumbhīra of Rājagaha,

vepullassa nivesanaṁ;

¶ 104whose home is on Mount Vepulla.

Bhiyyo naṁ satasahassaṁ,

¶ 105Attended by more than

yakkhānaṁ payirupāsati;

¶ 106a hundred thousand spirits,

Kumbhīro rājagahiko,

¶ 107Kumbhīra of Rājagaha

sopāgā samitiṁ vanaṁ.

¶ 108also came to the meeting in the wood.

Purimañca disaṁ rājā,

¶ 109King Dhataraṭṭha rules

dhataraṭṭho pasāsati;

¶ 110the eastern quarter.

Gandhabbānaṁ adhipati,

¶ 111Lord of the centaurs,

mahārājā yasassiso.

¶ 112he’s a great king, glorious.

Puttāpi tassa bahavo,

¶ 113And he has many mighty sons

indanāmā mahabbalā;

¶ 114all of them named Indra.

Iddhimanto jutimanto,

¶ 115They’re powerful and brilliant,

vaṇṇavanto yasassino;

¶ 116so beautiful and glorious.

Modamānā abhikkāmuṁ,

¶ 117Rejoicing, they’ve come forth

bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ.

¶ 118to the meeting of mendicants in the wood.

Dakkhiṇañca disaṁ rājā,

¶ 119King Virūḷhaka rules

virūḷho taṁ pasāsati;

¶ 120the southern quarter.

Kumbhaṇḍānaṁ adhipati,

¶ 121Lord of the gnomes,

mahārājā yasassiso.

¶ 122he’s a great king, glorious.

Puttāpi tassa bahavo,

¶ 123And he has many mighty sons

indanāmā mahabbalā;

¶ 124all of them named Indra.

Iddhimanto jutimanto,

¶ 125They’re powerful and brilliant,

vaṇṇavanto yasassino;

¶ 126so beautiful and glorious.

Modamānā abhikkāmuṁ,

¶ 127Rejoicing, they’ve come forth

bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ.

¶ 128to the meeting of mendicants in the wood.

Pacchimañca disaṁ rājā,

¶ 129King Virūpakkha rules

virūpakkho pasāsati;

¶ 130the western quarter.

Nāgānañca adhipati,

¶ 131Lord of the dragons,

mahārājā yasassiso.

¶ 132he’s a great king, glorious.

Puttāpi tassa bahavo,

¶ 133And he has many mighty sons

indanāmā mahabbalā;

¶ 134all of them named Indra.

Iddhimanto jutimanto,

¶ 135They’re powerful and brilliant,

vaṇṇavanto yasassino;

¶ 136so beautiful and glorious.

Modamānā abhikkāmuṁ,

¶ 137Rejoicing, they’ve come forth

bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ.

¶ 138to the meeting of mendicants in the wood.

Uttarañca disaṁ rājā,

¶ 139King Kuvera rules

kuvero taṁ pasāsati;

¶ 140the northern quarter.

Yakkhānañca adhipati,

¶ 141Lord of spirits,

mahārājā yasassiso.

¶ 142he’s a great king, glorious.

Puttāpi tassa bahavo,

¶ 143And he has many mighty sons

indanāmā mahabbalā;

¶ 144all of them named Indra.

Iddhimanto jutimanto,

¶ 145They’re powerful and brilliant,

vaṇṇavanto yasassino;

¶ 146so beautiful and glorious.

Modamānā abhikkāmuṁ,

¶ 147Rejoicing, they’ve come forth

bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ.

¶ 148to the meeting of mendicants in the wood.

Purimaṁ disaṁ dhataraṭṭho,

¶ 149Dhataraṭṭha in the east,

dakkhiṇena virūḷhako;

¶ 150Virūḷhaka to the south,

Pacchimena virūpakkho,

¶ 151Virūpakkha to the west,

kuvero uttaraṁ disaṁ.

¶ 152and Kuvera in the north.

Cattāro te mahārājā,

¶ 153These four great kings,

samantā caturo disā;

¶ 154all around in the four quarters,

Daddallamānā aṭṭhaṁsu,

¶ 155stood there dazzling

vane kāpilavatthave.

¶ 156in the wood at Kapilavatthu.

Tesaṁ māyāvino dāsā,

¶ 157Their deceitful heathens came,

āguṁ vañcanikā saṭhā;

¶ 158so treacherous and crafty—

Māyā kuṭeṇḍu viṭeṇḍu,

¶ 159the deceivers Kuṭeṇḍu, Viṭeṇḍu,

viṭucca viṭuṭo saha.

¶ 160with Viṭucca and Viṭuṭa.

Candano kāmaseṭṭho ca,

¶ 161And Candana and Kāmaseṭṭha,

kinnighaṇḍu nighaṇḍu ca;

¶ 162Kinnughaṇḍu and Nighaṇḍu,

Panādo opamañño ca,

¶ 163Panāda and Opamañña,

devasūto ca mātali.

¶ 164and Mātali, the god’s equerry.

Cittaseno ca gandhabbo,

¶ 165Cittasena the centaur came too,

naḷorājā janesabho;

¶ 166and the kings Nala and Janesabha.

Āgā pañcasikho ceva,

¶ 167Pañcasikha came too, with

timbarū sūriyavacchasā.

¶ 168Timbaru and Suriyavaccasā.

Ete caññe ca rājāno,

¶ 169These and other kings there were,

gandhabbā saha rājubhi;

¶ 170the centaurs with their kings.

Modamānā abhikkāmuṁ,

¶ 171Rejoicing, they’ve come forth

bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ.

¶ 172to the meeting of mendicants in the wood.

Athāguṁ nāgasā nāgā,

¶ 173Then came the dragons of Nābhasa lake,

vesālā sahatacchakā;

¶ 174and those from Vesālī with those from Takkasilā.

Kambalassatarā āguṁ,

¶ 175The Kambalas and Assataras came

pāyāgā saha ñātibhi.

¶ 176and those from Payāga with their kin.

Yāmunā dhataraṭṭhā ca,

¶ 177Those from Yamunā, and the Dhataraṭṭha

āgū nāgā yasassino;

¶ 178dragons came, so glorious.

Erāvaṇo mahānāgo,

¶ 179And Erāvaṇa the great dragon

sopāgā samitiṁ vanaṁ.

¶ 180also came to the meeting in the wood.

Ye nāgarāje sahasā haranti,

¶ 181Those who seize the dragon kings by force—

Dibbā dijā pakkhi visuddhacakkhū;

¶ 182Heavenly, twice-born birds with piercing vision—

Vehāyasā te vanamajjhapattā,

¶ 183swoop down to the wood from the sky;

Citrā supaṇṇā iti tesa nāmaṁ.

¶ 184their name is ‘Rainbow Phoenix’.

Abhayaṁ tadā nāgarājānamāsi,

¶ 185But the dragon kings remained fearless,

Supaṇṇato khemamakāsi buddho;

¶ 186for the Buddha kept them safe from the phoenixes.

Saṇhāhi vācāhi upavhayantā,

¶ 187Wooing each other with gentle words,

Nāgā supaṇṇā saraṇamakaṁsu buddhaṁ.

¶ 188the dragons and phoenixes took the Buddha as refuge.

Jitā vajirahatthena,

¶ 189Defeated by Vajirahattha,

samuddaṁ asurāsitā;

¶ 190the titans live in the ocean.

Bhātaro vāsavassete,

¶ 191They’re brothers of Vāsava,

iddhimanto yasassino.

¶ 192powerful and glorious.

Kālakañcā mahābhismā,

¶ 193There’s the terrifying Kālakañjas,

asurā dānaveghasā;

¶ 194the Dānava and Ghasa titans,

Vepacitti sucitti ca,

¶ 195Vepacitti and Sucitti,

pahārādo namucī saha.

¶ 196Pahārāda with Namuci,

Satañca baliputtānaṁ,

¶ 197and Bali’s hundred sons,

sabbe verocanāmakā;

¶ 198all named after Virocana.

Sannayhitvā balisenaṁ,

¶ 199Bali’s army armed themselves

rāhubhaddamupāgamuṁ;

¶ 200and went to the auspicious Rāhu, saying:

‘Samayo dāni bhaddante,

¶ 201‘Now is the time, sir,

bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ’.

¶ 202for the meeting of mendicants in the wood.’

Āpo ca devā pathavī,

¶ 203The gods of water and earth,

tejo vāyo tadāgamuṁ;

¶ 204and fire and wind came there.

Varuṇā vāraṇā devā,

¶ 205The gods of Varuṇa and Varuṇa’s offsping,

somo ca yasasā saha.

¶ 206and Soma together with Yasa.

Mettā karuṇā kāyikā,

¶ 207A host of the gods of love

āguṁ devā yasassino;

¶ 208and compassion came, so glorious.

Dasete dasadhā kāyā,

¶ 209These ten hosts of gods

sabbe nānattavaṇṇino.

¶ 210shone in all different colors.

Iddhimanto jutimanto,

¶ 211They’re powerful and brilliant,

vaṇṇavanto yasassino;

¶ 212so beautiful and glorious.

Modamānā abhikkāmuṁ,

¶ 213Rejoicing, they’ve come forth

bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ.

¶ 214to the meeting of mendicants in the wood.

Veṇḍudevā sahali ca,

¶ 215The Vishnu and Sahalī gods,

asamā ca duve yamā;

¶ 216and the unequaled pair of twins.

Candassūpanisā devā,

¶ 217The gods living on the moon came,

candamāguṁ purakkhatvā.

¶ 218with the Moon before them.

Sūriyassūpanisā devā,

¶ 219The gods living on the sun came,

sūriyamāguṁ purakkhatvā;

¶ 220with the Sun before them.

Nakkhattāni purakkhatvā,

¶ 221And with the stars before them

āguṁ mandavalāhakā.

¶ 222came the languid gods of clouds.

Vasūnaṁ vāsavo seṭṭho,

¶ 223And Vāsava came, the greatest of the Vasus,

sakkopāgā purindado;

¶ 224who is Sakka the Able, Purindada the Firstgiver:

Dasete dasadhā kāyā,

¶ 225These ten hosts of gods

sabbe nānattavaṇṇino.

¶ 226shone in all different colors.

Iddhimanto jutimanto,

¶ 227They’re powerful and brilliant,

vaṇṇavanto yasassino;

¶ 228so beautiful and glorious.

Modamānā abhikkāmuṁ,

¶ 229Rejoicing, they’ve come forth

bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ.

¶ 230to the meeting of mendicants in the wood.

Athāguṁ sahabhū devā,

¶ 231Then came the Sahabhū gods,

jalamaggi sikhāriva;

¶ 232blazing like a crested flame;

Ariṭṭhakā ca rojā ca,

¶ 233and the Ariṭṭhakas and Rojas too,

umāpupphanibhāsino.

¶ 234and the gods hued blue as flax.

Varuṇā sahadhammā ca,

¶ 235The Varuṇas and Sahadhammas,

accutā ca anejakā;

¶ 236the Accutas and Anejakas,

Sūleyyarucirā āguṁ,

¶ 237the Sūleyyas and Ruciras all came,

āguṁ vāsavanesino;

¶ 238as did the Vāsavanesi gods.

Dasete dasadhā kāyā,

¶ 239These ten hosts of gods

sabbe nānattavaṇṇino.

¶ 240shone in all different colors.

Iddhimanto jutimanto,

¶ 241They’re powerful and brilliant,

vaṇṇavanto yasassino;

¶ 242so beautiful and glorious.

Modamānā abhikkāmuṁ,

¶ 243Rejoicing, they’ve come forth

bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ.

¶ 244to the meeting of mendicants in the wood.

Samānā mahāsamanā,

¶ 245The Samānas, Mahāsamānas,

mānusā mānusuttamā;

¶ 246Mānusas, and Mānusuttamas all came,

Khiḍḍāpadosikā āguṁ,

¶ 247and the gods depraved by play,

āguṁ manopadosikā.

¶ 248and those who are malevolent.

Athāguṁ harayo devā,

¶ 249Then came the gods of Mercury,

ye ca lohitavāsino;

¶ 250and those who live on Mars.

Pāragā mahāpāragā,

¶ 251The Pāragas and Mahāpāragas came,

āguṁ devā yasassino;

¶ 252such glorious gods.

Dasete dasadhā kāyā,

¶ 253These ten hosts of gods

sabbe nānattavaṇṇino.

¶ 254shone in all different colors.

Iddhimanto jutimanto,

¶ 255They’re powerful and brilliant,

vaṇṇavanto yasassino;

¶ 256so beautiful and glorious.

Modamānā abhikkāmuṁ,

¶ 257Rejoicing, they’ve come forth

bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ.

¶ 258to the meeting of mendicants in the wood.

Sukkā karambhā aruṇā,

¶ 259The gods of Venus, the newborn Sun, and the Dawn

āguṁ veghanasā saha;

¶ 260came along with those from Saturn.

Odātagayhā pāmokkhā,

¶ 261And the gods of the white globe came

āguṁ devā vicakkhaṇā.

¶ 262leading the brilliant gods.

Sadāmattā hāragajā,

¶ 263The Sadāmattas and Hāragajas,

missakā ca yasassino;

¶ 264and assorted glorious ones;

Thanayaṁ āga pajjunno,

¶ 265Pajjuna came thundering,

yo disā abhivassati.

¶ 266he who rains on all quarters.

Dasete dasadhā kāyā,

¶ 267These ten hosts of gods

sabbe nānattavaṇṇino;

¶ 268shone in all different colors.

Iddhimanto jutimanto,

¶ 269They’re powerful and brilliant,

vaṇṇavanto yasassino;

¶ 270so beautiful and glorious.

Modamānā abhikkāmuṁ,

¶ 271Rejoicing, they’ve come forth

bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ.

¶ 272to the meeting of mendicants in the wood.

Khemiyā tusitā yāmā,

¶ 273The Khemiyas from the realms of Tusita and Yama,

kaṭṭhakā ca yasassino;

¶ 274and the glorious Kaṭṭhakas came;

Lambītakā lāmaseṭṭhā,

¶ 275the Lambītakas, Lāmaseṭṭhas,

jotināmā ca āsavā;

¶ 276those called the Shining, and those Yonder.

Nimmānaratino āguṁ,

¶ 277The gods who love to create came too,

athāguṁ paranimmitā.

¶ 278and those who control what is created by others.

Dasete dasadhā kāyā,

¶ 279These ten hosts of gods

sabbe nānattavaṇṇino;

¶ 280shone in all different colors.

Iddhimanto jutimanto,

¶ 281They’re powerful and brilliant,

vaṇṇavanto yasassino;

¶ 282so beautiful and glorious.

Modamānā abhikkāmuṁ,

¶ 283Rejoicing, they’ve come forth

bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ.

¶ 284to the meeting of mendicants in the wood.

Saṭṭhete devanikāyā,

¶ 285These sixty hosts of gods

sabbe nānattavaṇṇino;

¶ 286shone in all different colors.

Nāmanvayena āgacchuṁ,

¶ 287They came organized by name,

ye caññe sadisā saha.

¶ 288these and others likewise, thinking:

‘Pavuṭṭhajātimakhilaṁ,

¶ 289‘They who have shed rebirth, the kindly ones,

oghatiṇṇamanāsavaṁ;

¶ 290the undefiled ones who have crossed the flood—

Dakkhemoghataraṁ nāgaṁ,

¶ 291let us see them, with the dragon who brought them across,

candaṁva asitātigaṁ’.

¶ 292who like the Moon has overcome darkness.’

Subrahmā paramatto ca,

¶ 293Subrahmā and Paramatta came,

puttā iddhimato saha;

¶ 294with sons of those powerful ones.

Sanaṅkumāro tisso ca,

¶ 295Sanaṅkumāra and Tissa

sopāga samitiṁ vanaṁ.

¶ 296also came to the meeting in the wood.

Sahassaṁ brahmalokānaṁ,

¶ 297Of a thousand realms of divinity,

mahābrahmābhitiṭṭhati;

¶ 298the Great Divinity stands forth.

Upapanno jutimanto,

¶ 299He has arisen, brilliant,

bhismākāyo yasassiso.

¶ 300his formidable body so glorious.

Dasettha issarā āguṁ,

¶ 301Ten Gods Almighty came there,

paccekavasavattino;

¶ 302each one of them wielding power,

Tesañca majjhato āga,

¶ 303and in the middle of them came

hārito parivārito.

¶ 304Hārita with his following.”

Te ca sabbe abhikkante,

¶ 305When they had all come forth—

sainde deve sabrahmake;

¶ 306the gods with their Lord, and the divinities—

Mārasenā abhikkāmi,

¶ 307Māra’s army came forth too:

passa kaṇhassa mandiyaṁ.

¶ 308see the stupidity of the Dark Lord!

‘Etha gaṇhatha bandhatha,

¶ 309“Come, seize them and bind them,” he said,

rāgena baddhamatthu vo;

¶ 310“let them be bound by desire!

Samantā parivāretha,

¶ 311Surround them on all sides,

mā vo muñcittha koci naṁ’.

¶ 312don’t let any escape!”

Iti tattha mahāseno,

¶ 313And so there the great general,

kaṇho senaṁ apesayi;

¶ 314the Dark Lord sent forth his army.

Pāṇinā talamāhacca,

¶ 315He struck the ground with his fist

saraṁ katvāna bheravaṁ.

¶ 316to make a horrifying sound

Yathā pāvussako megho,

¶ 317like a cloud shedding rain,

thanayanto savijjuko;

¶ 318thundering and flashing.

Tadā so paccudāvatti,

¶ 319But then turned back,

saṅkuddho asayaṁvase.

¶ 320furious, out of control.

Tañca sabbaṁ abhiññāya,

¶ 321And all that was known

vavatthitvāna cakkhumā;

¶ 322and distinguished by the Clear-eyed One.

Tato āmantayī satthā,

¶ 323Thereupon the Teacher addressed

sāvake sāsane rate.

¶ 324the disciples who love the teaching:

‘Mārasenā abhikkantā,

¶ 325“Māra’s army has arrived;

te vijānātha bhikkhavo’;

¶ 326mendicants, you should be aware of them.”

Te ca ātappamakaruṁ,

¶ 327Those monks grew keen,

sutvā buddhassa sāsanaṁ;

¶ 328hearing the Buddha’s instruction.

Vītarāgehi pakkāmuṁ,

¶ 329The army fled from those free of passion,

nesaṁ lomāpi iñjayuṁ.

¶ 330and not a single hair was stirred!

‘Sabbe vijitasaṅgāmā,

¶ 331“All triumphant in battle,

bhayātītā yasassino;

¶ 332so fearless and glorious.

Modanti saha bhūtehi,

¶ 333They rejoice with all the spirits,

sāvakā te janesutā’”ti.

¶ 334the disciples renowned among men.”

Mahāsamayasuttaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ sattamaṁ.