SN2:9 Candima
- DG BB TBW © Translated from the Pali by Bhikkhu Bodhi. (More copyright information)
1At Sāvatthī. Now on that occasion the young deva Candima had been seized by Rahu, lord of the asuras. [n.156] Candima is a deva dwelling in the mansion of the moon; the word itself usually simply means the moon. Obviously his seizure by Rahu represents the lunar eclipse. Then, recollecting the Blessed One, the young deva Candima on that occasion recited this verse:
2v.281 "Let homage be to you, the Buddha!
O hero, you are everywhere released.
I have fallen into captivity,
So please be my refuge."
3Then, referring to the young deva Candima, the Blessed One addressed Rahu, lord of the asuras, in verse:
4v.282 "Candima has gone for refuge
To the Tathāgata, the Arahant.
Release Candima, O Rahu,
Buddhas have compassion for the world."
5Then Rahu, lord of the asuras, released the young deva Candima and hurriedly approached Vepacitti, lord of the asuras. [n.157] Although both Rahu and Vepacitti are described as "lords of the asuras" (asurinda), it seems that Vepacitti is the overlord and Rahu a subordinate. Vepacitti is the perennial antagonist of Sakka, lord of the devas, as seen at SN11.4, 11:5, SN11.23, and SN35.248. Having approached, shocked and terrified, he stood to one side. Then, as he stood there, Vepacitti, lord of the asuras, addressed him in verse:
6v.283 "Why, Rahu, did you come in a hurry?
Why did you release Candima?
Having come as if in shock,
Why do you stand there frightened?"
7v.284 "My head would have split in seven parts,
While living I would have found no ease,
If, when chanted over by the Buddha’s verse,
I had not let go of Candima." sn.i.51
1Sāvatthinidānaṁ. Tena kho pana samayena candimā devaputto rāhunā asurindena gahito hoti. Atha kho candimā devaputto bhagavantaṁ anussaramāno tāyaṁ velāyaṁ imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi:
2"Namo te buddha vīratthu,
vippamuttosi sabbadhi;
Sambādhapaṭipannosmi,
tassa me saraṇaṁ bhavā"ti.
3Atha kho bhagavā candimaṁ devaputtaṁ ārabbha rāhuṁ asurindaṁ gāthāya ajjhabhāsi:
4"Tathāgataṁ arahantaṁ,
candimā saraṇaṁ gato;
Rāhu candaṁ pamuñcassu,
buddhā lokānukampakā"ti.
5Atha kho rāhu asurindo candimaṁ devaputtaṁ muñcitvā taramānarūpo yena vepacitti asurindo tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā saṁviggo lomahaṭṭhajāto ekamantaṁ aṭṭhāsi. Ekamantaṁ ṭhitaṁ kho rāhuṁ asurindaṁ vepacitti asurindo gāthāya ajjhabhāsi:
6"Kiṁ nu santaramānova,
rāhu candaṁ pamuñcasi;
Saṁviggarūpo āgamma,
kiṁ nu bhītova tiṭṭhasī"ti.
7"Sattadhā me phale muddhā,
jīvanto na sukhaṁ labhe;
Buddhagāthābhigītomhi,
no ce muñceyya candiman"ti.