Catubhāṇavārapāḷi | 23. Mahāsamayasuttaṁ

ekaṁ samayaṁ Bhagavā Sakkesu viharati
at one time the Gracious One was dwelling amongst the Sakyans

Kapilavatthusmiṁ Mahāvane mahatā bhikkhusaṅghena saddhiṁ
in the Great Wood near Kapilavatthu with a great Saṅgha of monks

pañcamattehi bhikkhusatehi sabbeheva Arahantehi,
consisting of five hundred monks, all of them Worthy Ones,

dasahi ca lokadhātūhi devatā yebhuyyena sannipatitā honti
and almost all of the gods from the ten world-elements had assembled

Bhagavantaṁ dassanāya bhikkhusaṅghañ-ca.
to see the Gracious One and the Saṅgha of monks.

Atha kho catunnaṁ Suddhāvāsakāyikānaṁ devānaṁ etad-ahosi:
Then this occurred to four gods from among the hosts in the Pure Abodes:

“Ayaṁ kho Bhagavā Sakkesu viharati
“The Gracious One is dwelling amongst the Sakyans

Kapilavatthusmiṁ Mahāvane mahatā bhikkhusaṅghena saddhiṁ
in the Great Wood near Kapilavatthu with a great Saṅgha of moṅks

pañcamattehi bhikkhusatehi sabbeheva Arahantehi,
consisting of five hundred monks, all of them Worthy Ones,

dasahi ca lokadhātūhi devatā yebhuyyena sannipatitā honti
and almost all of the gods from the ten world elements have assembled

Bhagavantaṁ dassanāya bhikkhusaṅghañ-ca.
to see the Gracious One and the Saṅgha of monks.

Yan-nūna mayam-pi yena Bhagavā tenupasaṅkameyyāma,
Well now, we too could approach the Gracious One,

upasaṅkamitvā Bhagavato santike paccekagāthaṁ bhāseyyāmā” ti.
and after approaching the Gracious One we could recite a verse each in his presence.”

Atha kho tā devatā seyyathā pi nāma balavā puriso
Then those gods, just as a strong man

sammiñjitaṁ vā bāhaṁ pasāreyya, pasāritaṁ vā bāhaṁ sammiñjeyya,
might stretch out a bent arm, or bend in an outstretched arm,

evam-evaṁ Suddhāvāsesu devesu antarahitā
in the same way disappeared from among the gods of the Pure Abodes

Bhagavato purato pātur-ahesuṁ.
and appeared in front of the Gracious One.

Atha kho tā devatā Bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā, ekam-antaṁ aṭṭhaṁsu.
Then those gods after worshipping the Gracious One, stood on one side.

Ekam-antaṁ ṭhitā kho ekā devatā
While standing on one side one of the gods

Bhagavato santike imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi:
recited this verse in the presence of the Gracious One:

“Mahāsamayo pavanasmiṁ, devakāyā samāgatā,
“There is a great convention in the wood, and a host of gods have come,

āgatamha imaṁ Dhammasamayaṁ
we have come to this Dhamma convention

dakkhitāye aparājitasaṅghan”-ti. [01]
to see the Saṅgha, who are undefeated.”

“Tatra bhikkhavo samādahaṁsu,
“In this place the monks are concentrated,

cittamattano ujukaṁ akaṁsu,
they have straightened out their minds by themselves,

sārathīva nettāni gahetvā,
like a charioteer who has taken the reins,

indriyāni rakkhanti paṇḍitā” ti. [02]
the wise protect their sense faculties.”

“Chetvā khīlaṁ chetvā palighaṁ,
“Having cut off the hindrance and obstacle,

indakhīlaṁ ūhacca-m-anejā,
and dug up the locking post, they are unmoved,

te caranti suddhā vimalā,
they live pure and unstained,

Cakkhumatā sudantā susunāgā” ti. [03]
young nāgas, well-tamed by the Visionary.”

“Ye keci Buddhaṁ saraṇaṁ gatāse
“Whoever has gone to the Buddha for refuge

na te gamissanti apāyaṁ.
will not go to the lower worlds.

Pahāya mānusaṁ dehaṁ
After giving up the human body

devakāyaṁ paripūressantī” ti. [04]
they will fill up the ranks of the gods.”

Atha kho Bhagavā bhikkhū āmantesi:
Then the Gracious One addressed the monks, saying:

“Yebhuyyena bhikkhave dasasu lokadhātūsu devatā sannipatitā
“Monks, almost all of the gods from the ten world-elements have assembled

Tathāgataṁ dassanāya bhikkhusaṅghañ-ca.
to see the Realised One and the Saṅgha of monks.

Ye pi te bhikkhave ahesuṁ atītam-addhānaṁ Arahanto,
Monks, those who in the past were Worthy Ones,

Sammāsambuddhā, tesam-pi Bhagavantānaṁ
Perfect Sambuddhas, for those Gracious Ones also

etaparamā yeva devatā sannipatitā ahesuṁ
at least as many gods have assembled

seyyathā pi mayhaṁ etarahi.
as for me at the present time.

Ye pi te bhikkhave bhavissanti anāgatam-addhānaṁ Arahanto,
Monks, those who in the future will be Worthy Ones,

Sammāsambuddhā, tesam-pi Bhagavantānaṁ
Perfect Sambuddhas, for those Gracious Ones also

etaparamā yeva devatā sannipatitā bhavissanti
at least as many gods will assemble

seyyathā pi mayhaṁ etarahi.
as for me at the present time.

Ācikkhissāmi bhikkhave devakāyānaṁ nāmāni,
Monks, I will declare the names of the hosts of gods,

kittayissāmi bhikkhave devakāyānaṁ nāmāni,
monks, I will proclaim the names of the hosts of gods,

desissāmi bhikkhave devakāyānaṁ nāmāni.
monks, I will reveal the names of the hosts of gods.

Taṁ suṇātha sādhukaṁ manasikarotha bhāsissāmī” ti.
Listen to it, apply your minds well, and I will speak.”

“Evaṁ bhante,” ti kho te bhikkhū Bhagavato paccassosuṁ,
“Yes, reverend Sir,” those monks replied to the Gracious One,

Bhagavā etad-avoca:
and the Gracious One said this:

“Silokam-anukassāmi yattha Bhummā tad-assitā:
“I will repeat a famous verse (a Siloka) wherever the gods of the Earth live:

Ye sitā girigabbharaṁ, pahitattā samāhitā, [05]
There are (monks) who live in a hill cave, who are resolute, composed,

puthū sīhā va sallīnā, lomahaṁsābhisambhuno,
who are like lions crouching, who have overcome (all) horror,

odātamanasā suddhā, vippasanna-m-anāvilā”. [06]
with minds that are cleansed, and purified, which are clear, and undisturbed”.

Bhiyyo pañcasate ñatvā vane Kāpilavatthave,
He knew there were more than five hundred in the wood near Kapilavatthu (like this),

tato āmantayī Satthā sāvake sāsane rate: [07]
therefore the Teacher addressed those disciples who delight in the teaching:

“Devakāyā abhikkantā, te vijānātha bhikkhavo!”
“A host of gods have drawn near (to us), you should know who they are, monks!”

Te ca ātappam-akaruṁ, sutvā Buddhassa sāsanaṁ, [08]
Then (those monks) became ardent, after hearing the Buddha's teaching,

tesaṁ pātur-ahū ñāṇaṁ, amanussānadassanaṁ -
and knowledge was manifest to them, seeing those non-human beings -

appeke satam-addakkhuṁ, sahassaṁ atha sattatiṁ. [09]
and some of them saw a hundred, a thousand, or seventy (thousand).

Sataṁ eke sahassānaṁ amanussānam-addasuṁ,
Some of them saw a hundred thousand of those non-human beings,

appekenantam-addakkhuṁ disā sabbā phuṭā ahū. [10]
and some saw an endless number spread out in every direction.

Tañ-ca sabbaṁ abhiññāya vavakkhitvāna Cakkhumā,
Having deep knowledge of all that the Visionary desired to speak,

tato āmantayī Satthā sāvake sāsane rate: [11]
therefore the Teacher addressed those disciples who delight in the teaching:

“Devakāyā abhikkantā, te vijānātha bhikkhavo!
“A host of gods have drawn near (to us), you should know who they are, monks!

Ye vohaṁ kittayissāmi girāhi anupubbaso. [12]
I will proclaim their (names) to you with lyrics in regular order.

Sattasahassā te yakkhā, Bhummā Kāpilavatthavā,
There are seven thousand yakkhas, Earth gods from Kapilavatthu,

iddhimanto, jutīmanto, vaṇṇavanto, yasassino,
who have psychic power, who are bright, beautiful, and resplendent,

modamānā abhikkāmuṁ bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ. [13]
rejoicing they have drawn near the gathering of monks in the wood.

Chasahassā Hemavatā yakkhā nānattavaṇṇino,
From Hemavant there are six thousand yakkhas, diverse in colour,

iddhimanto, jutīmanto, vaṇṇavanto, yasassino,
who have psychic power, who are bright, beautiful, and resplendent,

modamānā abhikkāmuṁ bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ. [14]
rejoicing they have drawn near the gathering of monks in the wood.

Sātāgirā tisahassā yakkhā nānattavaṇṇino,
From Sātāgira there are three thousand yakkhas, diverse in colour,

iddhimanto, jutīmanto, vaṇṇavanto, yasassino,
who have psychic power, who are bright, beautiful, and resplendent,

modamānā abhikkāmuṁ bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ. [15]
rejoicing they have drawn near the gathering of monks in the wood.

Iccete soḷasasahassā yakkhā nānattavaṇṇino,
Like this there are sixteen thousand yakkhas, diverse in colour,

iddhimanto, jutīmanto, vaṇṇavanto, yasassino,
who have psychic power, who are bright, beautiful, and resplendent,

modamānā abhikkāmuṁ bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ. [16]
rejoicing they have drawn near the gathering of monks in the wood.

Vessāmittā pañcasatā yakkhā nānattavaṇṇino,
From Vessāmitta there are five hundred yakkhas, diverse in colour,

iddhimanto, jutīmanto, vaṇṇavanto, yasassino,
who have psychic power, who are bright, beautiful, and resplendent,

modamānā abhikkāmuṁ bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ. [17]
rejoicing they have drawn near the gathering of monks in the wood.

Kumbhīro Rājagahiko, Vepullassa nivesanaṁ,
From Rājagaha there is Kumbhira, who is settled on Vepulla,

bhiyyo naṁ satasahassaṁ yakkhānaṁ payirupāsati,
and more than a hundred thousand yakkhas who gather round him,

Kumbhīro Rājagahiko so pāga samitiṁ vanaṁ. [18]
From Rājagaha there is Kumbhira he also came to the gathering in the wood.

Purimañ-ca disaṁ, rājā Dhataraṭṭho taṁ pasāsati,
The Easterly direction, the king Dhataraṭṭha rules over that,

gandhabbānaṁ ādhipati, Mahārājā yasassi so, [19]
he is master of the Gandhabbas, he is a resplendent Great King,

puttā pi tassa bahavo, Indanāmā mahabbalā,
also there are his many sons, Inda by name, ones of great strength,

iddhimanto, jutīmanto, vaṇṇavanto, yasassino,
who have psychic power, who are bright, beautiful, and resplendent,

modamānā abhikkāmuṁ bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ. [20]
rejoicing they have drawn near the gathering of monks in the wood.

Dakkhiṇañ-ca disaṁ, rājā Virūḷho taṁ pasāsati,
The Southerly direction, the king Virūḷha rules over that,

kumbhaṇḍānaṁ ādhipati, Mahārājā yasassi so, [21]
he is master of the Kumbhaṇḍas, he is a resplendent Great King,

puttā pi tassa bahavo, Indanāmā mahabbalā,
also there are his many sons, Inda by name, ones of great strength,

iddhimanto, jutīmanto, vaṇṇavanto, yasassino,
who have psychic power, who are bright, beautiful, and resplendent,

modamānā abhikkāmuṁ bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ. [22]
rejoicing they have drawn near the gathering of monks in the wood.

Pacchimañ-ca disaṁ, rājā Virūpakkho taṁ pasāsati,
The Westerly direction, the king Virūpakkha rules over that,

nāgānaṁ ādhipati, Mahārājā yasassi so, [23]
he is master of the nāgas, he is a resplendent Great King,

puttā pi tassa bahavo, Indanāmā mahabbalā,
also there are his many sons, Inda by name, ones of great strength,

iddhimanto, jutīmanto, vaṇṇavanto, yasassino,
who have psychic power, who are bright, beautiful, and resplendent,

modamānā abhikkāmuṁ bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ. [24]
rejoicing they have drawn near the gathering of monks in the wood.

Uttarañ-ca disaṁ, rājā Kuvero taṁ pasāsati,
The Northerly direction, the king Kuvera rules over that,

yakkhānaṁ ādhipati, Mahārājā yasassi so, [25]
he is master of the yakkhas, he is a resplendent Great King,

puttā pi tassa bahavo, Indanāmā mahabbalā,
also there are his many sons, Inda by name, ones of great strength,

iddhimanto, jutīmanto, vaṇṇavanto, yasassino,
who have psychic power, who are bright, beautiful, and resplendent,

modamānā abhikkāmuṁ bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ. [26]
rejoicing they have drawn near the gathering of monks in the wood.

Purimaṁ disaṁ Dhataraṭṭho, Dakkhiṇena Virūḷhako,
To the East there is Dhataraṭṭha, in the South there is Virūḷhaka,

Pacchimena Virūpakkho, Kuvero Uttaraṁ disaṁ. [27]
in the West there is Virūpakkha, to the North there is Kuvera.

Cattāro te Mahārājā, samantā caturo disā,
These are the Four Great Kings, from all sides, the four directions,

daddallamānā aṭṭhaṁsu vane Kāpilavatthave. [28]
they stood blazing brilliantly in the wood near Kapilavatthu.

Tesaṁ māyāvino dāsā āgu vañcanikā saṭhā:
Their deceitful servants came, who are fraudulent and treacherous:

māyā Kuṭeṇḍu Veṭeṇḍu, Viṭucca Viṭuḍo saha, [29]
the deceitful Kuteṇḍu, Veteṇḍu, Viṭucca, and Viṭuḍa,

Candano Kāmaseṭṭho ca, Kinnughaṇḍu Nighaṇḍu ca,
Candana and Kāmaseṭṭha, Kinnughaṇḍu and Nighaṇḍu,

Panādo Opamañño ca, devasūto ca Mātalī, [30]
Panāda and Opamañña, and Mātali, the gods' charioteer,

Cittaseno ca gandhabbo, Nalo rājā Janesabho
The gandhabbas Citta and Sena, the kings Nala and Janesabha

āgu Pañcasikho ceva, Timbarū Suriyavaccasā. [31]
came, and also Pañcasikha, Timbaru, and Suriyavaccasā.

Ete caññe ca rājāno, gandhabbā saha rājubhi,
These and also other kings, and gandhabbas along with their kings,

modamānā abhikkāmuṁ bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ. [32]
rejoicing they have drawn near the gathering of monks in the wood.

Athāgu Nābhasā nāgā, Vesālā saha Tacchakā,
Then came Nāgas from Nābhasa, and from Vesāli, and the Tacchakas,

Kambal' Assatarā āgu, Pāyāgā saha ñātibhi. [33]
the Kambalas, and Assataras came, and (nāgas) from Pāyāga with their kin.

Yāmunā Dhataraṭṭhā ca āgu nāgā yasassino,
The Yāmuna, and the Dhataraṭṭha nāgas came, resplendent ones,

Erāvaṇo mahānāgo, so pāga samitiṁ vanaṁ. [34]
and Erāvaṇa, the great nāga, he also came to the gathering in the wood.

Ye nāgarāje sahasā haranti
Those who carry away the nāga kings by force

- dibbā dijā pakkhivisuddhacakkhū -
- the divine, twice-born, winged ones, with clear vision -

vehāsayā te vanam-ajjhapattā,
through the air they (came and) arrived in the wood,

Citrā Supaṇṇā iti tesaṁ nāmāni. [35]
the Citras and Supaṇṇas, such are their names.

Abhayaṁ tadā nāgarājānam-āsi,
But at that time the nāga kings were without fear,

supaṇṇato khemam-akāsi Buddho.
for the Buddha made them safe from the supaṇṇas.

Saṇhāhi vācāhi upavhayantā,
Calling on (one another) with gentle words,

nāgā supaṇṇā saraṇam-agaṁsu Buddhaṁ. [36]
the nāgas and supaṇṇas took refuge in the Buddha.

Jitā Vajirahatthena, samuddaṁ asurā sitā,
Defeated by Vajirahattha, the asuras live in the ocean,

bhātaro Vāsavassete, iddhimanto yasassino, [37]
they are brothers of Vāsava, having psychic power, resplendent,

Kālakañjā mahābhiṁsā, asurā Dānaveghasā,
the very fearful Kālakañjas, the Dānaveghasa asuras,

Vepacittī Sucittī ca, Pahārādo Namucī saha, [38]
Vepacitti and Sucitti, Pahārāda, together with Namuci,

satañ-ca Baliputtānaṁ, sabbe Verocanāmakā.
and a hundred of Bali's sons, all of them named after Veroca.

Sannayhitvā Baliṁ senaṁ Rāhubhaddam-upāgamuṁ:
Having armed themselves, Bali's army came to lucky Rāhu (and said):

“Samayo dāni bhaddante, bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ.” [39]
“Now is the time, reverend Sir, for the gathering of the monks in the wood.”

Āpo ca devā Paṭhavī ca, Tejo Vāyo tad-āgamuṁ,
The Water gods, and the Earth gods, the Fire, and the Wind (gods all) came there,

Varuṇā Vāruṇā devā, Somo ca Yasasā saha, [40]
the Varuṇa, and Vāruṇa gods, Soma followed by Yasa,

Mettākaruṇākāyikā āgu devā yasassino.
and a host of Friendly and Compassionate gods came, respendlent ones.

Dasete dasadhā kāyā, sabbe nānattavaṇṇino, [41]
All of these ten hosts, ten kinds (of gods), who are diverse in colour,

iddhimanto, jutīmanto, vaṇṇavanto, yasassino.
who have psychic power, who are bright, beautiful, and resplendent.

modamānā abhikkāmuṁ bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ. [42]
rejoicing they have drawn near the gathering of monks in the wood.

Veṇhū devā Sahalī ca Asamā ca duve Yamā.
The Veṇhu and Sahali and Asama gods, and the two Yama gods (came).

Candassūpanisā devā Candam-āgu purakkhatvā. [43]
The gods who depend on the Moon came, with the Moon in front of them.

Suriyassūpanisā devā Suriyam-āgu purakkhatvā,
The gods who depend on the Sun came, with the Sun in front of them,

Nakkhattāni purakkhatvā, āgu mandavalāhakā. [44]
with the stars in front of them, also the foolish Rain Cloud (gods) came.

Vasūnaṁ Vāsavo seṭṭho, Sakko pāga Purindado.
Sakka also came, (who is called) Vāsava, the best of the Vasū, and Purindada.

Dasete dasadhā kāyā, sabbe nānattavaṇṇino, [45]
All of these ten hosts, ten kinds (of gods), who are diverse in colour,

iddhimanto, jutīmanto, vaṇṇavanto, yasassino,
who have psychic power, who are bright, beautiful, and resplendent,

modamānā abhikkāmuṁ bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ. [46]
rejoicing they have drawn near the gathering of monks in the wood.

Athāgu Sahabhū devā, jalam-aggisikhāriva,
Then came the Sahabhu gods, blazing forth, like the crest of a fire,

Ariṭṭhakā ca Rojā ca Ummāpupphanibhāsino. [47]
and the Ariṭṭhakas and Rojas and the splendid Ummapuppha (gods).

Varuṇā Sahadhammā ca, Accutā ca Anejakā,
The Varuṇas and Sahadhammas, the Accutas and Anejakas,

Sūleyyarucirā āgu; āgu Vāsavanesino. [48]
the Sūleyyas and Ruciras (all) came; the Vāsavanesi (gods) came.

Dasete dasadhā kāyā, sabbe nānattavaṇṇino,
All of these ten hosts, ten kinds (of gods), who are diverse in colour,

iddhimanto, jutīmanto, vaṇṇavanto, yasassino,
who have psychic power, who are bright, beautiful, and resplendent,

modamānā abhikkāmuṁ bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ. [49]
rejoicing they have drawn near the gathering of monks in the wood.

Samānā Mahāsamānā, Mānusā Mānusuttamā,
The Samānas, Mahasamānas, Mānusas, Mānusuttamas,

Khiḍḍāpadūsikā āgu; āgu Manopadūsikā. [50]
and the Khiḍḍāpadūsikas came; the Manopadūsikas came.

Athāgu Harayo devā, ye ca Lohitavāsino.
Then the Hari gods came, and those (known as) the Lohitavāsī.

Pāragā Mahapāragā āgu devā yasassino. [51]
The Pāragas, and Mahapāragas came, gods who are resplendent.

Dasete dasadhā kāyā, sabbe nānattavaṇṇino,
All of these ten hosts, ten kinds (of gods), who are diverse in colour,

iddhimanto, jutīmanto, vaṇṇavanto, yasassino,
who have psychic power, who are bright, beautiful, and resplendent,

modamānā abhikkāmuṁ bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ. [52]
rejoicing they have drawn near the gathering of monks in the wood.

Sukkā Karumhā Aruṇā āgu Veghanasā saha.
The Sukkas, Karumhas, and Aruṇas came, with the Veghanasas.

Odātagayhā pāmokkhā āgu devā Vicakkhaṇā. [53]
The Vicakkhaṇa gods came with the Odātagayhas in front.

Sadāmattā Hāragajā, Missakā ca yasassino.
The Sadāmattas, Hāragajas, and the resplendent Missakas.

Thanayaṁ āga Pajjunno, yo disā abhivassati. [54]
Pajjunna came thundering, he who pours down rain in (all) directions.

Dasete dasadhā kāyā, sabbe nānattavaṇṇino,
All of these ten hosts, ten kinds (of gods), who are diverse in colour,

iddhimanto, jutīmanto, vaṇṇavanto, yasassino,
who have psychic power, who are bright, beautiful, and resplendent,

modamānā abhikkāmuṁ bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ. [55]
rejoicing they have drawn near the gathering of monks in the wood.

Khemiyā Tusitā Yāmā, Kaṭṭhakā ca yasassino.
The Khemiyas, Tusitas, Yāmas, and resplendent Kaṭṭhakas (came).

Lambītakā Lāmaseṭṭhā Jotināmā ca Āsavā, [56]
The Lambītakas, Lāmaseṭṭhas, those called the Jotis, and Āsavas,

Nimmāṇaratino āgu; athāgu Paranimmitā.
and the Nimmāṇaratis came; then came the Paranimittas.

Dasete dasadhā kāyā, sabbe nānattavaṇṇino, [57]
All of these ten hosts, ten kinds (of gods), who are diverse in colour,

iddhimanto, jutīmanto, vaṇṇavanto, yasassino,
who have psychic power, who are bright, beautiful, and resplendent,

modamānā abhikkāmuṁ bhikkhūnaṁ samitiṁ vanaṁ. [58]
rejoicing they have drawn near the gathering of monks in the wood.

Saṭṭhete devanikāyā, sabbe nānattavaṇṇino,
All of these sixty hosts of gods, who are diverse in colour,

nāmanvayena āgañchuṁ ye caññe sadisā saha: [59]
in conformity with their names came; these along with others similar (thinking):

“Pavutthajātiṁ akhilaṁ, oghatiṇṇam-anāsavaṁ,
“We shall see the casteless (Saṅgha), unhindered, flood-crossers, pollution-free,

dakkhemoghataraṁ nāgaṁ, Candaṁ va asitātigaṁ. [60]
and the nāga, who is beyond the flood, who, like the Moon, has overcome the darkness.

Subrahmā Paramatto ca, puttā iddhimato saha.
Subrahmā and Paramatta, along with the sons of the powerful one (came).

Sanaṅkumāro Tisso ca so pāga samitiṁ vanaṁ. [61]
Sanaṅkumāra and Tissa also came to the gathering in the wood.

Sahassaṁ brahmalokānaṁ Mahābrahmābhitiṭṭhati,
In the thousand brahma worlds a Great Brahma has arisen,

upapanno jutīmanto, bhismākāyo yasassi so. [62]
a bright one, who stands out, whose awesome body is resplendent.

Dasettha Issarā āgu, paccekavasavattino,
The ten Issarā (brahmās) came, who individually wield power,

tesañ-ca majjhato āga Hārito parivārito. [63]
and in the midst of them came Hārita with his entourage.

Te ca sabbe abhikkante, sa-Inde deve sabrahmake,
Now when they had all drawn near, Inda with the gods and the brahmās,

Mārasenā abhikkāmi: passa Kaṇhassa mandiyaṁ! [64]
Māra's army also drew near: behold the foolishness of the Dark One!

“Etha gaṇhatha bandhatha, rāgena bandham-atthu ve,
“Come now, seize them, and bind them (he said), let them be bound by passion,

samantā parivāretha, mā vo muñcittha koci naṁ!” [65]
surround them on all sides, do not let anyone of them go free!”

Iti tattha mahāseno kaṇhasenaṁ apesayī,
Thus in that place the great army leader sent forth his dark army,

pāṇinā thalam-āhacca, saraṁ katvāna bheravaṁ, [66]
after striking the ground with his hand, and making a fearful noise,

yathā pāvussako megho, thanayanto savijjuko -
like a storm cloud shedding rain, thundering, with flashes of lightning -

tadā so paccudāvatti, saṅkuddho asayaṁvasī. [67]
but then he retreated, angry, and unable to control himself.

Tañ-ca sabbaṁ abhiññāya vavakkhitvāna Cakkhumā,
Knowing all that (was happening) the Visionary desired to speak,

tato āmantayī Satthā sāvake sāsane rate: [68]
therefore the Teacher addressed those disciples who delight in the teaching:

“Mārasenā abhikkantā, te vijānātha bhikkhavo!”
“Māra's army has drawn near (to us), you should know who they are, monks!”

Te ca ātappam-akaruṁ, sutvā Buddhassa sāsanaṁ.
Then (those monks) became ardent, after hearing the Buddha's teaching.

Vītarāgehapakkāmuṁ, nesaṁ lomam-pi iñjayuṁ! [69]
They withdrew from the passionless (monks), not one of their hairs was shaken!