The Sutta Nipata
The "Sutta Collection"
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Sutta Nipata III.2
Padhana Sutta
The Great Struggle
Translated from the Pali by John D. Ireland.
Read an alternate translation by Thanissaro
Bhikkhu
"When, near the river Nerañjara,
I exerted myself in meditation for attaining to security from bondage,[1]
there came Namuci[2] speaking
words of compassion:
"'You are emaciated and ill-looking, you are near to
death! A thousand parts of you belong to death and only a fraction of you is
alive. Live, good Sir! It is better to live. Living you may perform meritorious
deeds. From practicing celibacy and tending the sacrificial fire much merit is
made, but what is obtained from striving? It is difficult to enter the path of
exertion, it is difficult to do, difficult to maintain.'"
Mara spoke these words whilst standing in
the presence of the Awakened One. To Mara speaking thus, the Lord replied:
"You who are the friend of the negligent, O Evil One,
for what reason have you come here? Those who still have use for merit Mara may
consider worthwhile addressing. I have faith and energy and wisdom. Being thus
bent on striving why do you ask me to live? This wind will wither the currents
of the rivers, why should not my exertion dry up even the blood? When the blood
dries up, the bile and phlegm wither. On the wasting away of the flesh the mind
becomes more and more serene and my mindfulness, wisdom and concentration are
established more firmly. In me, who abides enduring such an extreme experience,
the mind does not long for sensual pleasures. See the purity of a being!
"Sensual desire is your first army, the second is called
discontent, the third is hunger and thirst, the fourth craving, the fifth
sluggishness and laziness, the sixth fear, the seventh indecision, and the
eighth disparagement of others and stubbornness: gain, fame, honor, prestige
wrongly acquired and whoever praises himself and despises others -- these,
Namuci, are your armies, the Dark One's[3] striking
forces. A lazy, cowardly person cannot overcome them, but by conquering them one
gains bliss.
"I wear muñja-grass![4]
Shame on life here in this world! It is better for me to die in battle than to
live defeated. Some recluses and brahmanas are not seen (exerting themselves)
here, so immersed are they (in worldliness). They are not aware of that path by
which those of perfect conduct walk.
"Seeing the surrounding army ready and Mara mounted (on
his elephant), I am going out to fight so that he may not shift me from my
position. This army of yours which the world together with the devas is unable
to subdue, that I will destroy with wisdom, like an unbaked clay-bowl with a
stone. Having mastered the mind and firmly established mindfulness I shall
wander from country to country guiding many disciples. And they will be diligent
and energetic in practicing my teaching, the teaching of one without sensual
desire, and they will go where, having gone, one does not grieve."
Mara: "For seven years I followed the Lord step by step
but did not find an opportunity to defeat that mindful Awakened One. A crow flew
around a stone having the colour of fat: 'Can we find even here something
tender? May it be something to eat?'
"Not finding anything edible the crow left that place.
As with the crow and the stone, we leave Gotama, having approached and become
disheartened."
Overcome by sorrow his lute fell from his arm and thereupon
the unhappy spirit disappeared from that place.
-- vv. 425-449
Notes
1. Yogakkhema, a name for
Nibbana.
[Go back]
2. Namuci, meaning "He who does
not let go" (his hold over beings easily) is a name for Mara, the Evil One.
[Go back]
3. The "Dark One" or Kanha
(Sanskrit: Krishna), is another name for Mara. He is the Indian Cupid (Kamadeva)
and personifies sensual passions. He carries a lute (vina), mentioned at
the close, with which he captivates beings by his playing. His other equipment
includes a bow, arrows, a noose and a hook.
[Go back]
4. Indian warriors used to wear a
tuft of a certain grass, called muñja, on their head or headgear, for
indicating that they were prepared to die in battle and determined not to
retreat.
[Go back]
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III | Ch IV|
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