SA-2 323（三二三）

Thus have I heard:

Once, the Buddha was traveling in the country of Magadha, and arrived at the palace of the yaksha Jantu. He stayed there for the night. At that time, Jantu and the other yakshas were gathered elsewhere and not in the palace. Jantu's companion, named Jatu, saw the Buddha staying in Jantu's house. He went to Jantu and said, "You have gained great benefit. The Tathāgata, Arhat, Perfectly Enlightened One is now staying in your palace."

Jantu said, "How can he be staying in my palace?"

The yaksha said again, "Although he is human, he is actually the Tathāgata, Arhat, Perfectly Enlightened One."

Jantu said again, "I will return to my palace and know for myself whether he is the Tathāgata, Arhat, Perfectly Enlightened One or not." When the yaksha had finished his meeting, he returned to his palace. He tried to touch the Buddha with his body, but the Buddha's body moved farther away. He then asked the Buddha, "Monk! Are you afraid now?"

The Buddha said, "I am not afraid. Your touch is extremely evil."

Jantu said again, "Monk! I will ask you questions. If you can explain them well, it will be immeasurable goodness. If you cannot answer me, I will break your heart, causing hot boiling blood to come out of your face. I will also pull out your arms and throw them on the bank of the Vāgāḍha River."

The Buddha said, "I do not see anyone in the world, whether gods, demons, Brahmas, śramaṇas, or brāhmaṇas, who can make my mind and thoughts confused, break my heart, cause boiling blood to come out of my face, pull out my arms, and throw them on the bank of the Vāgāḍha River."

At that time, Jantu spoke a verse, saying:

What is the basis of
greed and anger? Happiness and
unhappiness, fear and horripilation -
what are these? Where does
the mind dwell? How do
infants know to grasp at
the breast when born?

At that time, the World-Honored One replied in verse:

Desire arises from self, like a nyagrodha tree. Attachment to
desire is like a mālu tree. The nyagrodha tree is
bound and entangled. The yakṣa should know this. If one
knows its root, one will surely be able to abandon
it. Knowing its root, one can cross the ocean of
birth and death, cross the swift current of existence, and
no longer undergo rebirth.

At that time, the yakṣa Aśvamukha heard the Buddha's teaching, his mind opened up and he was enlightened. He joyfully leapt up and immediately accepted the Three Refuges.