SA-2 214（二一四）

Thus have I heard:

Once, the Buddha was at Anāthapiṇḍada's Park in the Jeta Grove near Śrāvastī. At that time, there was a bhikṣuṇī named Āṭānāṭī. In the morning, she put on her robe, took her alms bowl, and entered the city to beg for food. After eating, she washed her bowl and was about to go to the Anāthapiṇḍada's Park. At that time, Māra the Evil One thought like this: "The Śramaṇa Gautama is now in the Anāthapiṇḍada's Park. His disciple, the bhikṣuṇī Āṭānāṭī, has entered the city to beg for food. After eating, she has washed her bowl and is about to go to that park. I shall create disturbances for her." At that time, Māra transformed himself into a young brahmin and asked Āṭānāṭī on the side of the road, "Where are you going?"

The bhikṣuṇī replied, "I now wish to go to a quiet place."

At that time, the young brahmin, having heard these words, spoke a verse:

In all the worlds, there is no one who is liberated
You go to an empty and quiet place, what do you
intend to do? You are young and beautiful now, not enjoying
the five desires. Once old age comes, do not later give
rise to regret.

At that time, the bhikṣuṇī had this thought: "Who is this, wanting to disturb me, very deceitful. Is it a person or a non-person?" Having had this thought, she entered concentration to observe. Knowing that it was Pāpīyān wanting to come and disturb, she spoke a verse:

In the world, there is liberation, which I now know for myself
Pāpīyān, you are foolish and base, not understanding such a trace. Desire
is like a sharp spear, the hidden enemy follows with a drawn
sword. You say to enjoy the five desires, but desire is fearful
suffering. Desire can give rise to sorrow and distress, desire can give
rise to longing, desire can give rise to a hundred sufferings, desire
is the root of all suffering. Cutting off all craving, extinguishing the
darkness of ignorance, attaining the ultimate cessation, abiding in the undefiled Dharma.

At that time, Pāpīyān had this thought: "The bhikṣuṇī in the wilderness knows my mind well." Disappointed and regretful, ashamed and embarrassed, he returned to his palace.