SN 4.13 A Splinter

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

Evaṁ me sutaṁ—

So I have heard.

ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā rājagahe viharati maddakucchismiṁ migadāye.

At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha in the Maddakucchi deer park.

Tena kho pana samayena bhagavato pādo sakalikāya khato hoti,

Now at that time the Buddha’s foot had been cut by a wooden splinter.

bhusā sudaṁ bhagavato vedanā vattanti sārīrikā dukkhā tibbā kharā kaṭukā asātā amanāpā.

The Buddha was stricken by harrowing pains; physical feelings that were painful, sharp, severe, acute, unpleasant, and disagreeable.

Tā sudaṁ bhagavā sato sampajāno adhivāseti avihaññamāno.

But he endured unbothered, with mindfulness and situational awareness.

Atha kho bhagavā catugguṇaṁ saṅghāṭiṁ paññapetvā dakkhiṇena passena sīhaseyyaṁ kappesi pāde pādaṁ accādhāya sato sampajāno.

And then he spread out his outer robe folded in four and laid down in the lion’s posture—on the right side, placing one foot on top of the other—mindful and aware.

Atha kho māro pāpimā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ gāthāya ajjhabhāsi:

Then Māra the Wicked went up to the Buddha and addressed him in verse:

“Mandiyā nu kho sesi udāhu kāveyyamatto,

“Are you feeble that you lie down? Or are you drunk on poetry?

Atthā nu te sampacurā na santi;

Are your goals not amply satisfied?

Eko vivitte sayanāsanamhi,

Alone in a secluded lodging,

Niddāmukho kimidaṁ soppase vā”ti.

why this sleeping, sleepyhead?”

“Na mandiyā sayāmi nāpi kāveyyamatto,

“I’m not feeble that I lie down, nor am I drunk on poetry.

Atthaṁ sameccāhamapetasoko;

Having reached the goal, I’m rid of sorrow.

Eko vivitte sayanāsanamhi,

Alone in a secluded lodging,

Sayāmahaṁ sabbabhūtānukampī.

I lie down full of sympathy for all living creatures.

Yesampi sallaṁ urasi paviṭṭhaṁ,

Even those with a dart stuck in the breast,

Muhuṁ muhuṁ hadayaṁ vedhamānaṁ;

piercing the heart moment by moment,

Tepīdha soppaṁ labhare sasallā,

are able to get some sleep.

Tasmā ahaṁ na supe vītasallo.

So why not I, whose dart is drawn out?

Jaggaṁ na saṅke napi bhemi sottuṁ,

I don’t lie awake tense, nor do I fear to sleep.

Rattindivā nānutapanti māmaṁ;

The days and nights don’t disturb me,

Hāniṁ na passāmi kuhiñci loke,

as I see no decline for myself in the world.

Tasmā supe sabbabhūtānukampī”ti.

That’s why I lie down full of sympathy for all living creatures.”

Atha kho māro pāpimā “jānāti maṁ bhagavā, jānāti maṁ sugato”ti dukkhī dummano tatthevantaradhāyīti.

Then Māra the Wicked, thinking, “The Buddha knows me! The Holy One knows me!” miserable and sad, vanished right there.