SN 2.9 The Moon

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

Sāvatthinidānaṁ.

At Sāvatthī.

Tena kho pana samayena candimā devaputto rāhunā asurindena gahito hoti.

Now at that time the Moon God had been seized by Rāhu, lord of titans.

Atha kho candimā devaputto bhagavantaṁ anussaramāno tāyaṁ velāyaṁ imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi:

Then the Moon God, recollecting the Buddha, at that time spoke this verse:

“Namo te buddha vīratthu,

“Homage to you, Buddha, hero!

vippamuttosi sabbadhi;

You’re free in every way.

Sambādhapaṭipannosmi,

I’ve wandered into confinement:

tassa me saraṇaṁ bhavā”ti.

be my refuge!”

Atha kho bhagavā candimaṁ devaputtaṁ ārabbha rāhuṁ asurindaṁ gāthāya ajjhabhāsi:

Then the Buddha addressed Rāhu in verse concerning the Moon God:

“Tathāgataṁ arahantaṁ,

“The Moon God has gone for refuge

candimā saraṇaṁ gato;

to the Realized One, the perfected one.

Rāhu candaṁ pamuñcassu,

The Buddhas have compassion for the world—

buddhā lokānukampakā”ti.

so Rāhu, release the Moon!”

Atha kho rāhu asurindo candimaṁ devaputtaṁ muñcitvā taramānarūpo yena vepacitti asurindo tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā saṁviggo lomahaṭṭhajāto ekamantaṁ aṭṭhāsi.

Then Rāhu, having released the Moon, rushed to see Vepacitti, lord of titans and stood to one side, shocked and awestruck.

Ekamantaṁ ṭhitaṁ kho rāhuṁ asurindaṁ vepacitti asurindo gāthāya ajjhabhāsi:

Vepacitti addressed him in verse:

“Kiṁ nu santaramānova,

“Why the rush?

rāhu candaṁ pamuñcasi;

Rāhu, you released the Moon

Saṁviggarūpo āgamma,

and came here looking like you’re in shock:

kiṁ nu bhītova tiṭṭhasī”ti.

why do you stand there so scared?”

“Sattadhā me phale muddhā,

“My head would have exploded in seven pieces,

jīvanto na sukhaṁ labhe;

I would have found no happiness in life,

Buddhagāthābhigītomhi,

if, when enchanted by the Buddha’s verse,

no ce muñceyya candiman”ti.

I had not released the Moon.”