The Occasion

1Thus I have heard:[n.]986 This is a paritta (Sinhalese pirit), a set of protective verses (strangely called a ‘ward-rune’ by RD). The purist may be shocked to find this not only in ‘popular Buddhism’ but actually enshrined in the Canon; but Mrs Rhys Davids offers a spirited defence of such things in the introduction to her translation of this Sutta. She quotes the list of canonical parittas, and a similar list also occurs at VM 13.31: the Ratana Sutta (Sn 222ff., Khp 6), Khandha Paritta (AN 4.67), Dhajagga Paritta (SN 11.3), and Mora Paritta (Ja 159), beside the present Sutta. These are said to be efficacious through ten thousand million world-systems. DA, however, advises the use of the Metta Sutta in the first place, then the Dhajagga and Ratana Suttas. Only if, after a week, these do not work, should the Ātānātiya be resorted to — which would be of no use in the kind of emergency envisaged in the text! But the mention of the Metta Sutta is interesting because the Khandha Sutta (delivered after a monk had died of a snake-bite) enjoins the practice of loving-kindness to all beings as a form of self-protection. Like certain truthful declarations, this can have powerful effects. See Piyadassi Thera, The Book of Protection (BPS 1975).
A Tibetan version of this Sutta exists, and a fragment of a Sanskrit version has been found in Central Asia, but this differs considerably from the Pali. It is quoted with translation by K. Saha, Buddhism in Central Asia (Calcutta 1970), 47-49. This includes a reference to ′Ātānati the much renowned’, and ‘the heart of Ātānāti furthering all acts ...′ as if this were a person, though according to our text and DA, Ātānātā is a town.
This Sutta is much used on special occasions in the countries of Theravāda Buddhism. Thus in Thailand it is chanted at the New Year, together with the Mahāsamaya Sutta (DN 20, with which it has much in common) and the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta (SN 56.11, the Buddha’s first sermon). The Thai version also includes a non-canonical introductory portion containing verses of homage to twenty-one Buddhas earlier than Vipassi, going right back to Dipankara, under whom the future Buddha Gotama first went forth, and to three even earlier Buddhas before him. See also K.R. Norman, Pali Literature (Wiesbaden 1983), 173ff. at one time the Gracious One was dwelling near Rājagaha on the Vultures' Peak mountain. Then the Four Great Kings,[n.987] Cf. DN 18.11. with a great army of yakkhas, with a great army of gandhabbas, with a great army of kumbhaṇḍas, with a great army of nāgas,[n.988] See Introduction p. 45. The four groups mentioned are those of their respective followers. having set up a protection over the four quarters,[n.989] Defence of the four quarters is the special charge of the Four Great Kings. We may, however, note by way of contrast the ‘protection of the four quarters’, and the associations of those quarters, in DN 31. having set serried troops at the four directions, having set up a barricade at the four directions, at the end of the night, having lit up the whole of Vultures' Peak with their surpassing beauty, approached the Gracious One, and after approaching and worshipping the Gracious One, they sat down on one side. Then of those yakkhas, some, after worshipping the Gracious One, sat down on one side. Some exchanged greetings with the Gracious One, and after exchanging polite and courteous greetings, sat down on one side. Some, after raising their hands in respectful salutation to the Gracious One, sat down on one side. Some, after announcing their name and family, sat down on one side. Some, while keeping silent, sat down on one side.[n.990] As at DN 4.9 and elsewhere, indicating the various degrees of commitment or otherwise those concerned felt towards the Buddha. In the case of the yakkhas, the position is explained in verse 2.

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2Then, while sitting on one side, the Great King Vessavaṇa[n.991] The Great King of the North (cf. DN 18.11ff.). said this to the Gracious One:

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"There are, reverend Sir, some high ranking yakkhas who are not pleased with the Gracious One, there are, reverend Sir, some high ranking yakkhas who are pleased with the Gracious One, there are, reverend Sir, some middle ranking yakkhas who are not pleased with the Gracious One, there are, reverend Sir, some middle ranking yakkhas who are pleased with the Gracious One, there are, reverend Sir, some low ranking yakkhas who are not pleased with the Gracious One, there are, reverend Sir, some low ranking yakkhas who are pleased with the Gracious One. But, reverend Sir, almost all of the yakkhas are not pleased with the Gracious One.

"What is the reason for that? Because, reverend Sir, the Gracious One preaches the Dhamma of refraining from killing living creatures, preaches the Dhamma of refraining from taking what has not been given, preaches the Dhamma of refraining from sexual misconduct, preaches the Dhamma of refraining from false speech, preaches the Dhamma of refraining from liquor, wines, or intoxicants which cause heedlessness. But, reverend Sir, almost all of the yakkhas do not refrain from killing living creatures, do not refrain from taking what has not been given, do not refrain from sexual misconduct, do not refrain from false speech, do not refrain from liquors, wines, or intoxicants which cause heedlessness. To them that is neither dear nor appealing.

"There are, reverend Sir, disciples of the Gracious One in the wilderness, who are practising in remote jungle dwelling places, where there is little sound, little noise, which have a lonely atmosphere, lying hidden away from men, which are suitable for seclusion. And there are high ranking yakkhas settled there who are not pleased with the word of the Gracious One, To please then, reverend Sir, may the Gracious One learn[n.992] DA carefully explains that the Buddha did not really need to learn it, but went through the motions for pedagogical reasons. this Āṭānāṭiya protection, for the monks', nuns', laymen's, and laywomen's guard, protection, freedom from harm, and comfortable living."

The Gracious One by keeping silent gave consent.

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3Then the Great King Vessavaṇa having understood the Gracious One's consent on that occasion recited this Āṭānāṭiya protection:

The Seven Buddhas

4"May you revere Vipassī,[n.993] The canonical text begins with Vipassi, seven Buddhas and ninety-one aeons back from Buddha Gotama. The Thai introductory portion, going back further, is certainly of later origin.
the glorious Visionary,
may you revere Sikhī,
who has pity on all beings,

5"May you revere Vessabhū,
the austere one, cleansed (of corruptions),[n.994] [Walshe: Bathed in pure asceticism] is more literal than RD’s ‘ascetic, wholly pure’.
may you revere Kakusandha,
who has crushed Māra's army,

6"May you revere Koṇāgamana,
the accomplished brahmin,
may you revere Kassapa,
who is free in every respect.

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7"May you revere Angīrasa,
the glorious son of the Sakyans,[n.995] The term aṅgīrasa ‘radiant’ applies to all the Buddhas mentioned.
he who preached this Dhamma,
which is the dispelling of all suffering.

8"Those who are emancipated in the world,[n.996] DA is clearly unsure whether Buddhas only, or all Arahants are meant.
who have insight (into things) as they are,
those people free from malicious speech,
who are great and fully mature,

9"They will revere that Gotama,
who is of benefit to gods and men,
who has understanding and good conduct,
who is great and fully mature.

The East

10"From where the sun comes up,
the son of Aditi, the great circle,
while that one is coming up,
the darkness of night comes to an end,
"And after the sun has come up,
it is said to be the daytime,

11there is a deep lake in that place,
an ocean where the waters have flowed,
"Thus in that place they know there is
an ocean where the waters have flowed,

12from here that is the Easterly direction,[n.997] Purima means both ‘first’ (or ‘former’) and ‘east’.
so the people declare.
"That direction is watched over
by a resplendent Great King,

13He is the master of the gandhabbas,
Dhataraṭṭha, such is his name.
"He delights in song and dance,
he is honoured by gandhabbas,

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14He also has a great many sons,
all of one name, so I have heard,
"They are eighty and ten and one,
Inda by name, ones of great strength,

15they, having seen the Awakened One,
the Buddha, kinsman of the sun,
"From afar, do reverence him,
who is great and fully mature:

16'Reverence to you, excellent one!
Reverence to you, supreme one!'
"You have looked on us with goodness,
the non-human beings worship you,
we have heard this repeatedly,
therefore we should speak like this:

17"'You should worship the victor Gotama,
we should worship the victor Gotama,
who has understanding and good conduct,
we should worship the Buddha Gotama!'

The South

18"There they say (go) the departed,[n.998] These are often called ‘hungry ghosts’. A whole book of the Khuddhaka Nikāya, the Petavatthu, is devoted to them. The next three lines refer to their character in life, which resulted in their present miserable state. They are in the south because they were led out to execution through the south gate of the town (as DN 23.7).
who speak maliciously, backbiters,
killers of creatures, hunters,
thieves, and fraudulent people,

19from here that is the Southerly direction,
so the people declare.
"That direction is watched over
by a resplendent Great King,

20he is the master of the kumbhaṇḍhas,
Virūḷha, such is his name.
"He delights in song and dance,
he is honoured by kumbhaṇḍhas,

21he also has a great many sons,
all of one name, so I have heard,
"They are eighty and ten and one,
Inda by name, ones of great strength,

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22they, having seen the Awakened One,
the Buddha, kinsman of the sun,
"From afar, do reverence him,
who is great and fully mature:
'Reverence to you, excellent one!
Reverence to you, supreme one!'

23"You have looked on us with goodness,
the non-human beings worship you,
we have heard this repeatedly,
therefore we should speak like this:

24"'You should worship the victor Gotama,
we should worship the victor Gotama,
who has understanding and good conduct,
we should worship the Buddha Gotama!'

The West

25"That place where the sun goes down,
the son of Aditi, the great circle,
while that one is going down
the light of day comes to an end,
"And after the sun has gone down,
it is said to be night-time,

26there is a deep lake in that place,
an ocean where the waters have flowed,
"Thus in that place they know there is
an ocean where the waters have flowed,

27from here that is the Westerly direction,[n.999] Pacchima means both ‘last’ (or ‘later’) and ‘west’.
so the people declare.
"That direction is watched over
by a resplendent Great King,

28he is the master of the nāgas,
Virūpakkha, such is his name.
"He delights in song and dance,
he is honoured by nāgas,

---

29he also has a great many sons,
all of one name, so I have heard,
"They are eighty and ten and one,
Inda by name, ones of great strength,

30they, having seen the Awakened One,
the Buddha, kinsman of the sun,
"From afar, do reverence him,
who is great and fully mature:

31'Reverence to you, excellent one!
Reverence to you, supreme one!'
"You have looked on us with goodness,
the non-human beings worship you,
we have heard this repeatedly,
therefore we should speak like this:

32"'You should worship the victor Gotama,
we should worship the victor Gotama,
who has understanding and good conduct,
we should worship the Buddha Gotama!'

The North

33"Where delightful Uttarakuru is,
and the good looking Mount Neru,
the men who are born in that place[n.1000] It may seem strange to us that this mythical ideal land (thought of as still existing, though almost inaccessible) should be located in the north, of all directions, but in the tropics this is quite natural. Later, with the growth of geographical knowledge, the region was relocated in the Antipodes. The whole mythology is, of course, pre-Buddhist.
are unselfish, without possessions.[n.1001] The inhabitants of this region, though obviously not enlightened, have high moral standards.

34"They do not sow the seed,
and nor are there ploughs led along,
the rice that men enjoy the use of there
matures in untilled ground,

35"Without husk powder or chaff, pure,
sweet smelling grains of the finest rice,
having cooked it on hot rocks (without smoke),[n.1002] Tundikīre: so explained by DA (the now familiar ‘tandoori′?).
they then enjoy their food.

36"Having made their cows solid-hooved[n.1003] Not clearly explained by DA.
they go about from place to place,
having made their kine solid-hooved
they go about from place to place,

37"Having made women their vehicle[n.1004] DA’s only relevant comment is that ‘right-thinking people cannot do this’. This trait, which rather spoils the otherwise idyllic picture, remains an unexplained curiosity.
they go about from place to place,
having made men their vehicle
they go about from place to place,

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38"Having made girls their vehicle
they go about from place to place,
having made boys their vehicle
they go about from place to place.

39"Having mounted their (various) carriages,
the messengers of that King
go around in all directions,

40being furnished with elephant,
and horse, and divine-carriages.
"And for that Great and resplendent King

41there are palaces and palanquins,
and there are cities for him also,
that are well built in the heavens (called):
"Āṭānāṭā, Kusināṭā, Parakusināṭā,
Nāṭapuriyā, Parakusitanāṭā.

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42To the North is Kapīvanta,
and on the other side is Janogha,
Navanavatiya, Ambara-ambaravatiya,[n.1005] DA insists that Ambara-Ambaravatiya is one name.
and the king's capital named Ālakamandā.

43The Great King Kuvera's capital, dear Sir,
is named Visāṇā,
therefore is the Great King also called Vessavaṇa.[n.1006] He thus has two names, Kuvera and Vessavana.

44These each individually inform (the King):
Tatolā, Tattalā, Tatotalā,
Ojasi, Tejasi, Tatojasi, Sūra, Rājā, Ariṭṭha, Nemi.

45There is a lake in that place also, named Dharaṇī,
and from there the clouds rain down,
from there the rains spread.
There also is the public hall named Bhagalavatī

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46where the yakkhas assemble.
"There the trees are always in fruit,
and have a crowd of birds of diverse kinds,
resounding with peacocks and hens,
and also with the lovely cuckoos,

47"There is the pheasant[n.1009] (kulīraka) Doubtful: the usual meaning of this word is ‘crab’. who calls out "Live on!",[n.1007] Jīva means ‘live!’ A sort of pheasant or partridge.
and the bird who calls out "Lift up your minds!",[n.1008] This bird calls ‘Utthehi citte!’ ‘Lift up your hearts!’
there are the jungle fowl, and golden cocks,
and in the wood the lotus crane,

48"There are the sounds of parrot and mynah,
and birds who have young mens' faces,
and Kuvera's lotus pond
is ever attractive, all of the time,

49from here that is the Northerly direction,
so the people declare.
"That direction is watched over
by a resplendent Great King,

50he is the master of the yakkhas,
Kuvera, such is his name.
"He delights in song and dance,
he is honoured by yakkhas,

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51he also has a great many sons,
all of one name, so I have heard,
"They are eighty and ten and one,
Inda by name, ones of great strength,

52they, having seen the Awakened One,
the Buddha, kinsman of the sun,
"From afar, do reverence him,
who is great and fully mature:

53'Reverence to you, excellent one!
Reverence to you, supreme one!'
"You have looked on us with goodness,
the non-human beings worship you,
we have heard this repeatedly,
therefore we should speak like this:

54"'You should worship the victor Gotama,
we should worship the victor Gotama,
who has understanding and good conduct,
we should worship the Buddha Gotama!'

55"This, dear Sir, is the Āṭānāṭiya protection, for the monks', nuns', laymen's, and laywomen's guard, protection, freedom from harm, and comfortable living.

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56Whoever, dear Sir—be they monk or nun or layman or laywoman—learns this Āṭānāṭiya protection well, and will master it in its entirety, then if a non-human being—be they male yakkha or female yakkha or yakkha boy or yakkha girl or yakkha minister or yakkha councillor or yakkha messenger or male gandhabba or female gandhabba or gandhabba boy or gandhabba girl or gandhabba minister or gandhabba councillor or gandhabba messenger or male kumbhaṇḍa or female kumbhaṇḍa or kumbhaṇḍa boy or kumbhaṇḍa girl or kumbhaṇḍa minister or kumbhaṇḍa councillor or kumbhaṇḍa messenger or male nāga or female nāga or nāga boy or nāga girl or nāga minister or nāga councillor or nāga messenger—with a wicked mind come near while they are going, or stand near while they are standing, or sit near while they are sitting, or lie near while they are lying, then that non-human being, dear Sir, would not receive in my villages and towns, honour or respect. That non-human being, dear Sir, would not receive in my royal city Ālakamandā, ground or dwelling. That non-human being, dear Sir, would not be able to go to the gathering of the yakkhas. Further, dear Sir, non-human beings would not give or take him in marriage. Further, dear Sir, non-human beings would abuse him with very personal abuse. Further, dear Sir, non-human beings would drop an empty bowl over his head. Further, dear Sir, non-human beings would split his head into seven pieces.[n.1010] As at DN 3.1.20.

57"There are non-human beings, dear Sir, who are fierce, cruel, and violent, they do not take notice of the Great Kings, they do not take notice of the Great Kings' men, they do not take notice of the Great Kings' mens' men, and those non-human beings, dear Sir, are said to be in revolt against the Great Kings. Just as, dear Sir, there are thieves in the king of Magadha's realm, who do not take notice of the king of Magadha, who do not take notice of the king of Magadha's men, who do not take notice of the king of Magadha's mens' men, and those great thieves, dear Sir, are said to be in revolt against the king of Magadha. Even so, dear Sir, there are non-human beings who are fierce, cruel, and violent, they do not take notice of the Great Kings, they do not take notice of the Great Kings' men, they do not take notice of the Great Kings' mens' men, and those non-human beings, dear Sir, are said to be in revolt against the Great Kings.

"Now, dear Sir, whatever non-human beings—be they male yakkha or female yakkha or yakkha boy or yakkha girl or yakkha minister or yakkha councillor or yakkha messenger or male gandhabba or female gandhabba or gandhabba boy or gandhabba girl or gandhabba minister or gandhabba councillor or gandhabba messenger or male kumbhaṇḍa or female kumbhaṇḍa or kumbhaṇḍa boy or kumbhaṇḍa girl or kumbhaṇḍa minister or kumbhaṇḍa councillor or kumbhaṇḍa messenger or male nāga or female nāga or nāga boy or nāga girl or nāga minister or nāga councillor or nāga messenger—with a wicked mind should come near a monk or a nun or a layman or a laywoman while they are going, or stand near while they are standing, or sit near while they are sitting, or lie near while they are lying, then to these yakkhas, great yakkhas, generals, great generals, one should call out, one should shout out, one should cry out: "This yakkha has seized me, this yakkha has grabbed me, this yakkha annoys me, this yakkha harasses me, this yakkha hurts me, this yakkha injures me, this yakkha will not release me."

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58To which yakkhas, great yakkhas, generals, and great generals?

59"Inda, Soma, and Varuṇa,
Bhāradvāja, Pajāpati,
Candana, and Kāmaseṭṭha,
Kinnughaṇḍu, and Nighaṇḍu,

60Panāda, and Opamañña,
and Mātali, the gods' charioteer.
"The gandhabbas Citta and Sena,
the kings Nala and Janesabha,

61Sātāgira, Hemavata,
Puṇṇaka, Karatiya, Guḷa,
"Sīvaka, and Mucalinda,
Vessāmitta, Yugandhara,

62Gopāla, and Suppagedha,
Hiri, Netti, and Mandiya,
"Pañcālacaṇḍa, Ālavaka,
Pajjuna, Sumana, Sumukha, Dadhīmukha,
Maṇi, Māṇi, Cara, Dīgha,
together with Serissaka.[n.1011] A strangely heterogeneous list, including famous gods and sages - clearly designed to show the Buddha’s influence. RD gives full references.

63"Then to these yakkhas, great yakkhas, generals, and great generals, one should call out, one should shout out, one should cry out: 'This yakkha has seized me, this yakkha has grabbed me, this yakkha annoys me, this yakkha harasses me, this yakkha hurts me, this yakkha injures me, this yakkha will not release me.'

64"This, dear Sir, is the Āṭānāṭiyā protection, for the monks', nuns', laymen's, and laywomen's guard, protection, freedom from harm, and comfortable living. And now, dear Sir, we shall go, as we have many duties, and there is much which ought to be done."

65"Now is the time for whatever you Great Kings are thinking." Then the Four Great Kings rose from their seats and after worshipping and circumambulating the Gracious One, vanished right there. Then some yakkhas rose from their seats and after worshipping and circumambulating the Gracious One, vanished right there. Some exchanged greetings with the Gracious One, and after exchanging polite and courteous greetings, vanished right there. Some, after raising their hands in respectful salutation to the Gracious One, vanished right there. Some, after announcing their name and family vanished right there. And some, while keeping silent, vanished right there.

The first recital is finished.

The Second Section for Recital

66Then the Gracious One when that night had passed addressed the monks, saying: "This night, monks, the Four Great Kings, with a great army of yakkhas, with a great army of gandhabbas, with a great army of kumbhaṇḍas, with a great army of nāgas, having set up a protection over the four quarters, having set serried troops at the four directions, having set up a barricade at the four directions, at the end of the night, having lit up the whole of Vultures' Peak with their surpassing beauty, approached me, and after approaching and worshipping me, they sat down on one side. Then of those yakkhas, monks, some, after worshipping me, sat down on one side. Some exchanged greetings with me, and after exchanging polite and courteous greetings, sat down on one side. Some, after raising their hands in respectful salutation to me, sat down on one side. Some, after announcing their name and family, sat down on one side. Some, while keeping silent, sat down on one side.

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67Then, while sitting on one side, monks, the Great King Vessavaṇa said this to me: 'There are, reverend Sir, some high ranking yakkhas who are not pleased with the Gracious One, there are, reverend Sir, some high ranking yakkhas who are pleased with the Gracious One, there are, reverend Sir, some middle ranking yakkhas who are not pleased with the Gracious One, there are, reverend Sir, some middle ranking yakkhas who are pleased with the Gracious One, there are, reverend Sir, some low ranking yakkhas who are not pleased with the Gracious One, there are, reverend Sir, some low ranking yakkhas who are pleased with the Gracious One. But, reverend Sir, almost all of the yakkhas are not pleased with the Gracious One.

---

"'What is the reason for that? Because, reverend Sir, the Gracious One preaches the Dhamma of refraining from killing living creatures, preaches the Dhamma of refraining from taking what has not been given, preaches the Dhamma of refraining from sexual misconduct, preaches the Dhamma of refraining from false speech, preaches the Dhamma of refraining from liquor, wines, or intoxicants which cause heedlessness. But, reverend Sir, almost all of the yakkhas do not refrain from killing living creatures, do not refrain from taking what has not been given, do not refrain from sexual misconduct, do not refrain from false speech, do not refrain from liquors, wines, or intoxicants which cause heedlessness. To them that is neither dear nor appealing.

"'There are, reverend Sir, disciples of the Gracious One in the wilderness, who are practising in remote jungle dwelling places, where there is little sound, little noise, which have a lonely atmosphere, lying hidden away from men, which are suitable for seclusion. And there are high ranking yakkhas settled there who are not pleased with the word of the Gracious One, To please then, reverend Sir, may the Gracious One learn this Āṭānāṭiya protection, for the monks', nuns', laymen's, and laywomen's guard, protection, freedom from harm, and comfortable living.' And I, monks, by keeping silent, gave consent. Then the Great King Vessavaṇa, monks, having understood my consent on that occasion recited this Āṭānāṭiya protection:

The Seven Buddhas

68"'May you revere Vipassī,
the glorious Visionary,
may you revere Sikhī,
who has pity on all beings,

69"'May you revere Vessabhū,
the austere one, cleansed (of corruptions),
may you revere Kakusandha,
who has crushed Māra's army,

70"'May you revere Koṇāgamana,
the accomplished brahmin,
may you revere Kassapa,
who is free in every respect.

71"'May you revere Angīrasa,
the glorious son of the Sakyans,
he who preached this Dhamma,
which is the dispelling of all suffering.

72"'Those who are emancipated in the world,
who have insight (into things) as they are,
those people who are free from malicious speech,
who are great and fully mature,

73"'They will revere that Gotama,
who is of benefit to gods and men,
who has understanding and good conduct,
who is great and fully mature.

The East

74"'From where the sun comes up,
the son of Aditi, the great circle,
while that one is coming up,
the darkness of night comes to an end,
"'And after the sun has come up,
it is said to be the daytime,

75there is a deep lake in that place,
an ocean where the waters have flowed,
"'Thus in that place they know there is
an ocean where the waters have flowed,

76from here that is the Easterly direction,
so the people declare.
"'That direction is watched over
by a resplendent Great King,

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77he is the master of the gandhabbas,
Dhataraṭṭha, such is his name.
"'He delights in song and dance,
he is honoured by gandhabbas,

78he also has a great many sons,
all of one name, so I have heard,
"'They are eighty and ten and one,
Inda by name, ones of great strength,

79they, having seen the Awakened One,
the Buddha, kinsman of the sun,
"'From afar, do reverence him,
who is great and fully mature:

80"Reverence to you, excellent one!
Reverence to you, supreme one!"
"'You have looked on us with goodness,
the non-human beings worship you,
we have heard this repeatedly,
therefore we should speak like this:

81"'"You should worship the victor Gotama,
we should worship the victor Gotama,
who has understanding and good conduct,
we should worship the Buddha Gotama!"

The South

82"'There they say (go) the departed,
who speak maliciously, backbiters,
killers of creatures, hunters,
thieves, and fraudulent people,

83from here that is the Southerly direction,
so the people declare.
"'That direction is watched over
by a resplendent Great King,

84he is the master of the kumbhaṇḍhas,
Virūḷha, such is his name.
"'He delights in song and dance,
he is honoured by kumbhaṇḍhas,

---

85he also has a great many sons,
all of one name, so I have heard,
"'They are eighty and ten and one,
Inda by name, ones of great strength,

86they, having seen the Awakened One,
the Buddha, kinsman of the sun,
"'From afar, do reverence him,
who is great and fully mature:

87"Reverence to you, excellent one!
Reverence to you, supreme one!"
"'You have looked on us with goodness,
the non-human beings worship you,
we have heard this repeatedly,
therefore we should speak like this:

88"'"You should worship the victor Gotama,
we should worship the victor Gotama,
who has understanding and good conduct,
we should worship the Buddha Gotama!"

The West

89"'That place where the sun goes down,
the son of Aditi, the great circle,
while that one is going down
the light of day comes to an end,
"'And after the sun has gone down,
it is said to be night-time,

90there is a deep lake in that place,
an ocean where the waters have flowed,
"'Thus in that place they know there is
an ocean where the waters have flowed,

91from here that is the Westerly direction,
so the people declare.
"'That direction is watched over
by a resplendent Great King,

92he is the master of the nāgas,
Virūpakkha, such is his name.
"'He delights in song and dance,
he is honoured by nāgas,

---

93he also has a great many sons,
all of one name, so I have heard,
"'They are eighty and ten and one,
Inda by name, ones of great strength,

94they, having seen the Awakened One,
the Buddha, kinsman of the sun,
"'From afar, do reverence him,
who is great and fully mature:

95"Reverence to you, excellent one!
Reverence to you, supreme one!"
"'You have looked on us with goodness,
the non-human beings worship you,
we have heard this repeatedly,
therefore we should speak like this:

96"'"You should worship the victor Gotama,
we should worship the victor Gotama,
who has understanding and good conduct,
we should worship the Buddha Gotama!"

The North

97"'Where delightful Uttarakuru is,
and the good looking Mount Neru,
the men who are born in that place
are unselfish, without possessions.

98"'They do not sow the seed,
and nor are there ploughs led along,
the rice that men enjoy the use of there
matures in untilled ground,

99"'Without husk powder or chaff, pure,
sweet smelling grains of the finest rice,
having cooked it on hot rocks (without smoke),
they then enjoy their food.

100"'Having made their cows solid-hooved
they go about from place to place,
having made their kine solid-hooved
they go about from place to place,

101"'Having made women their vehicle
they go about from place to place,
having made men their vehicle
they go about from place to place,

102"'Having made girls their vehicle
they go about from place to place,
having made boys their vehicle
they go about from place to place.

103"'Having mounted their (various) carriages,
the messengers of that King
go around in all directions,

---

104being furnished with elephant,
and horse, and divine-carriages.
"'And for that Great and resplendent King
there are palaces and palanquins,

105and there are cities for him also,
that are well built in the heavens (called):
"'Āṭānāṭā, Kusināṭā, Parakusināṭā,
Nāṭapuriyā, Parakusitanāṭā.

107To the North is Kapīvanta,
and on the other side is Janogha,
Navanavatiya, Ambara-ambaravatiya,
and the king's capital named Ālakamandā.
The Great King Kuvera's capital, dear Sir, is named Visāṇā,
therefore is the Great King also called Vessavaṇa.

108These each individually inform (the King):
Tatolā, Tattalā, Tatotalā,
Ojasi, Tejasi, Tatojasi,
Sūra, Rājā, Ariṭṭha, Nemi.

109There is a lake in that place also, named Dharaṇī,
and from there the clouds rain down,
from there the rains spread.
There also is the public hall
named Bhagalavatī where the yakkhas assemble.

---

110"'There the trees are always in fruit,
and have a crowd of birds of diverse kinds,
resounding with peacocks and hens,
and also with the lovely cuckoos,

111"'There is the pheasant who calls out "Live on!",
and the bird who calls out "Lift up your minds!",
there are the jungle fowl, and golden cocks,
and in the wood the lotus crane,

112"'There are the sounds of parrot and mynah,
and birds who have young mens' faces,
and Kuvera's lotus pond is ever attractive, all of the time,

113from here that is the Northerly direction,
so the people declare.
"'That direction is watched over
by a resplendent Great King,

---

114he is the master of the yakkhas,
Kuvera, such is his name.
"'He delights in song and dance,
he is honoured by yakkhas,

115he also has a great many sons,
all of one name, so I have heard,
"'They are eighty and ten and one,
Inda by name, ones of great strength,

116they, having seen the Awakened One,
the Buddha, kinsman of the sun,
"'From afar, do reverence him,
who is great and fully mature:

117'Reverence to you, excellent one!
Reverence to you, supreme one!'
"'You have looked on us with goodness,
the non-human beings worship you,
we have heard this repeatedly,
therefore we should speak like this:

118"'You should worship the victor Gotama,
we should worship the victor Gotama,
who has understanding and good conduct,
we should worship the Buddha Gotama!'

119"'This, dear Sir, is the Āṭānāṭiya protection, for the monks', nuns', laymen's, and laywomen's guard, protection, freedom from harm, and comfortable living. Whoever, dear Sir—be they monk or nun or layman or laywoman—learns this Āṭānāṭiya protection well, and will master it in its entirety, then if a non-human being—be they male yakkha or female yakkha or yakkha boy or yakkha girl or yakkha minister or yakkha councillor or yakkha messenger or male gandhabba or female gandhabba or gandhabba boy or gandhabba girl or gandhabba minister or gandhabba councillor or gandhabba messenger or male kumbhaṇḍa or female kumbhaṇḍa or kumbhaṇḍa boy or kumbhaṇḍa girl or kumbhaṇḍa minister or kumbhaṇḍa councillor or kumbhaṇḍa messenger or male nāga or female nāga or nāga boy or nāga girl or nāga minister or nāga councillor or nāga messenger—with a wicked mind should come near while they are going, or stand near while they are standing, or sit near while they are sitting, or lie near while they are lying, then that non-human being, dear Sir, would not receive in my villages and towns, honour or respect. That non-human being, dear Sir, would not receive in my royal city Ālakamandā, ground or dwelling. That non-human being, dear Sir, would not be able to go to the gathering of the yakkhas. Further, dear Sir, non-human beings would not give or take him in marriage. Further, dear Sir, non-human beings would abuse him with very personal abuse. Further, dear Sir, non-human beings would drop an empty bowl over his head. Further, dear Sir, non-human beings would split his head into seven pieces.

120"'There are non-human beings, dear Sir, who are fierce, cruel, and violent, they do not take notice of the Great Kings, they do not take notice of the Great Kings' men, they do not take notice of the Great Kings' mens' men, and those non-human beings, dear Sir, are said to be in revolt against the Great Kings. Just as, dear Sir, there are thieves in the king of Magadha's realm, who do not take notice of the king of Magadha, who do not take notice of the king of Magadha's men, who do not take notice of the king of Magadha's mens' men, and those great thieves, dear Sir, are said to be in revolt against the king of Magadha. Even so, dear Sir, there are non-human beings who are fierce, cruel, and violent, they do not take notice of the Great Kings. They do not take notice of the Great Kings' men, they do not take notice of the Great Kings' mens' men, and those non-human beings, dear Sir, are said to be in revolt against the Great Kings.

"'Now, dear Sir, whatever non-human beings—be they male yakkha or female yakkha or yakkha boy or yakkha girl or yakkha minister or yakkha councillor or yakkha messenger or male gandhabba or female gandhabba or gandhabba boy or gandhabba girl or gandhabba minister or gandhabba councillor or gandhabba messenger or male kumbhaṇḍa or female kumbhaṇḍa or kumbhaṇḍa boy or kumbhaṇḍa girl or kumbhaṇḍa minister or kumbhaṇḍa councillor or kumbhaṇḍa messenger or male nāga or female nāga or nāga boy or nāga girl or nāga minister or nāga councillor or nāga messenger—with a wicked mind should come near a monk or a nun or a layman or a laywoman while they are going, or stand near while they are standing, or sit near while they are sitting, or lie near while they are lying, then to these yakkhas, great yakkhas, generals, great generals, one should call out, one should shout out, one should cry out: "This yakkha has seized me, this yakkha has grabbed me, this yakkha annoys me, this yakkha harasses me, this yakkha hurts me, this yakkha injures me, this yakkha will not release me."

---

121To which yakkhas, great yakkhas, generals, and great generals?

122"'Inda, Soma, and Varuṇa,
Bhāradvāja, Pajāpati,
Candana, and Kāmaseṭṭha,
Kinnughaṇḍu, and Nighaṇḍu,

123Panāda, and Opamañña,
and Mātali, the gods' charioteer.
"'The gandhabbas Citta and Sena,
the kings Nala and Janesabha,

124Sātāgira, Hemavata,
Puṇṇaka, Karatiya, Guḷa,
"'Sīvaka, and Mucalinda,
Vessāmitta, Yugandhara,

125Gopāla, and Suppagedha,
Hiri, Netti, and Mandiya,
"'Pañcālacaṇḍa, Ālavaka,
Pajjuna, Sumana, Sumukha, Dadhīmukha,
Maṇi, Māṇi, Cara, Dīgha,
together with Serissaka

126"'Then to these yakkhas, great yakkhas, generals, and great generals, one should call out, one should shout out, one should cry out: "This yakkha has seized me, this yakkha has grabbed me, this yakkha annoys me, this yakkha harasses me, this yakkha hurts me, this yakkha injures me, this yakkha will not release me."

---

127This, dear Sir, is the Āṭānāṭiyā protection, for the monks', nuns', laymen's, and laywomen's guard, protection, freedom from harm, and comfortable living. And now, dear Sir, we shall go, as we have many duties, and there is much which ought to be done."
"'Now is the time for whatever you Great Kings are thinking.'

128Then the Four Great Kings, monks, rose from their seats and after worshipping and circumambulating me, vanished right there. Then some yakkhas, monks, rose from their seats and after worshipping and circumambulating me, vanished right there. Some exchanged greetings with me, and after exchanging polite and courteous greetings, vanished right there. Some, after raising their hands in respectful salutation to me, vanished right there. Some, after announcing their name and family vanished right there. And some, while keeping silent, vanished right there.

129"Learn the Āṭānāṭiya protection, monks, master the Āṭānāṭiya protection, monks, bear in mind the Āṭānāṭiya protection, monks, the Āṭānāṭiya protection, monks, is for your welfare and benefit, for the monks', nuns', laymen's, and laywomen's guard, protection, freedom from harm, and comfortable living."

130The Gracious One said this, and those monks were uplifted and greatly rejoiced in what was said by the Gracious One.

The Āṭānāṭiyasutta is finished.

1. Paṭhamabhāṇavāra

1Evaṁ me sutaṁ—​ ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā rājagahe viharati gijjhakūṭe pabbate. Atha kho cattāro mahārājā mahatiyā ca yakkhasenāya mahatiyā ca gandhabbasenāya mahatiyā ca kumbhaṇḍasenāya mahatiyā ca nāgasenāya catuddisaṁ rakkhaṁ ṭhapetvā catuddisaṁ gumbaṁ ṭhapetvā catuddisaṁ ovaraṇaṁ ṭhapetvā abhikkantāya rattiyā abhikkantavaṇṇā kevalakappaṁ gijjhakūṭaṁ pabbataṁ obhāsetvā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu. Tepi kho yakkhā appekacce bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu, appekacce bhagavatā saddhiṁ sammodiṁsu, sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu, appekacce yena bhagavā tenañjaliṁ paṇāmetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu, appekacce nāmagottaṁ sāvetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu, appekacce tuṇhībhūtā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu.

---

2Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho vessavaṇo mahārājā bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

"santi hi, bhante, uḷārā yakkhā bhagavato appasannā. Santi hi, bhante, uḷārā yakkhā bhagavato pasannā. Santi hi, bhante, majjhimā yakkhā bhagavato appasannā. Santi hi, bhante, majjhimā yakkhā bhagavato pasannā. Santi hi, bhante, nīcā yakkhā bhagavato appasannā. Santi hi, bhante, nīcā yakkhā bhagavato pasannā. Yebhuyyena kho pana, bhante, yakkhā appasannāyeva bhagavato.

Taṁ kissa hetu? Bhagavā hi, bhante, pāṇātipātā veramaṇiyā dhammaṁ deseti, adinnādānā veramaṇiyā dhammaṁ deseti, kāmesumicchācārā veramaṇiyā dhammaṁ deseti, musāvādā veramaṇiyā dhammaṁ deseti, surāmerayamajjappamādaṭṭhānā veramaṇiyā dhammaṁ deseti. Yebhuyyena kho pana, bhante, yakkhā appaṭiviratāyeva pāṇātipātā, appaṭiviratā adinnādānā, appaṭiviratā kāmesumicchācārā, appaṭiviratā musāvādā, appaṭiviratā surāmerayamajjappamādaṭṭhānā. Tesaṁ taṁ hoti appiyaṁ amanāpaṁ.

Santi hi, bhante, bhagavato sāvakā araññavanapatthāni pantāni senāsanāni paṭisevanti appasaddāni appanigghosāni vijanavātāni manussarāhasseyyakāni paṭisallānasāruppāni. Tattha santi uḷārā yakkhā nivāsino, ye imasmiṁ bhagavato pāvacane appasannā. Tesaṁ pasādāya uggaṇhātu, bhante, bhagavā āṭānāṭiyaṁ rakkhaṁ bhikkhūnaṁ bhikkhunīnaṁ upāsakānaṁ upāsikānaṁ guttiyā rakkhāya avihiṁsāya phāsuvihārāyā"ti.

Adhivāsesi bhagavā tuṇhībhāvena.

---

3Atha kho vessavaṇo mahārājā bhagavato adhivāsanaṁ viditvā tāyaṁ velāyaṁ imaṁ āṭānāṭiyaṁ rakkhaṁ abhāsi:

 

4"Vipassissa ca namatthu,
cakkhumantassa sirīmato;
Sikhissapi ca namatthu,
sabbabhūtānukampino.

5Vessabhussa ca namatthu,
nhātakassa tapassino;
Namatthu kakusandhassa,
mārasenāpamaddino.

6Koṇāgamanassa namatthu,
brāhmaṇassa vusīmato;
Kassapassa ca namatthu,
vippamuttassa sabbadhi.

---

7Aṅgīrasassa namatthu,
sakyaputtassa sirīmato;
Yo imaṁ dhammaṁ desesi,
sabbadukkhāpanūdanaṁ.

8Ye cāpi nibbutā loke,
yathābhūtaṁ vipassisuṁ;
Te janā apisuṇātha,
mahantā vītasāradā.

9Hitaṁ devamanussānaṁ,
yaṁ namassanti gotamaṁ;
Vijjācaraṇasampannaṁ,
mahantaṁ vītasāradaṁ.

 

10Yato uggacchati sūriyo,
ādicco maṇḍalī mahā;
Yassa cuggacchamānassa,
saṁvarīpi nirujjhati;
Yassa cuggate sūriye,
' divaso'ti pavuccati.

11Rahadopi tattha gambhīro,
samuddo saritodako;
Evaṁ taṁ tattha jānanti,
' samuddo saritodako'.

12Ito 'sā purimā disā',
iti naṁ ācikkhatī jano;
Yaṁ disaṁ abhipāleti,
mahārājā yasassi so.

13Gandhabbānaṁ adhipati,
' dhataraṭṭho'ti nāmaso;
Ramatī naccagītehi,
gandhabbehi purakkhato.

---

14Puttāpi tassa bahavo,
ekanāmāti me sutaṁ;
Asīti dasa eko ca,
indanāmā mahabbalā.

15Te cāpi buddhaṁ disvāna,
buddhaṁ ādiccabandhunaṁ;
Dūratova namassanti,
mahantaṁ vītasāradaṁ.

16Namo te purisājañña,
namo te purisuttama;
Kusalena samekkhasi,
amanussāpi taṁ vandanti;
Sutaṁ netaṁ abhiṇhaso,
tasmā evaṁ vademase.

17'Jinaṁ vandatha gotamaṁ',
' jinaṁ vandāma gotamaṁ;
Vijjācaraṇasampannaṁ,
buddhaṁ vandāma gotamaṁ'.

 

18Yena petā pavuccanti,
pisuṇā piṭṭhimaṁsikā;
Pāṇātipātino luddā,
corā nekatikā janā.

19Ito 'sā dakkhiṇā disā',
iti naṁ ācikkhatī jano;
Yaṁ disaṁ abhipāleti,
mahārājā yasassi so.

20Kumbhaṇḍānaṁ adhipati,
' virūḷho' iti nāmaso;
Ramatī naccagītehi,
kumbhaṇḍehi purakkhato.

21Puttāpi tassa bahavo,
ekanāmāti me sutaṁ;
Asīti dasa eko ca,
indanāmā mahabbalā.

---

22Te cāpi buddhaṁ disvāna,
buddhaṁ ādiccabandhunaṁ;
Dūratova namassanti,
mahantaṁ vītasāradaṁ.

23Namo te purisājañña,
namo te purisuttama;
Kusalena samekkhasi,
amanussāpi taṁ vandanti;
Sutaṁ netaṁ abhiṇhaso,
tasmā evaṁ vademase.

24'Jinaṁ vandatha gotamaṁ',
' jinaṁ vandāma gotamaṁ;
Vijjācaraṇasampannaṁ,
buddhaṁ vandāma gotamaṁ'.

 

25Yattha coggacchati sūriyo,
ādicco maṇḍalī mahā;
Yassa coggacchamānassa,
divasopi nirujjhati;
Yassa coggate sūriye,
' saṁvarī'ti pavuccati.

26Rahadopi tattha gambhīro,
samuddo saritodako;
Evaṁ taṁ tattha jānanti,
' samuddo saritodako'.

27Ito 'sā pacchimā disā',
iti naṁ ācikkhatī jano;
Yaṁ disaṁ abhipāleti,
mahārājā yasassi so.

28Nāgānañca adhipati,
' virūpakkho'ti nāmaso;
Ramatī naccagītehi,
nāgeheva purakkhato.

---

29Puttāpi tassa bahavo,
ekanāmāti me sutaṁ;
Asīti dasa eko ca,
indanāmā mahabbalā.

30Te cāpi buddhaṁ disvāna,
buddhaṁ ādiccabandhunaṁ;
Dūratova namassanti,
mahantaṁ vītasāradaṁ.

31Namo te purisājañña,
namo te purisuttama;
Kusalena samekkhasi,
amanussāpi taṁ vandanti;
Sutaṁ netaṁ abhiṇhaso,
tasmā evaṁ vademase.

32'Jinaṁ vandatha gotamaṁ',
' jinaṁ vandāma gotamaṁ;
Vijjācaraṇasampannaṁ,
buddhaṁ vandāma gotamaṁ'.

 

33Yena uttarakuruvho,
mahāneru sudassano;
Manussā tattha jāyanti,
amamā apariggahā.

34Na te bījaṁ pavapanti,
napi nīyanti naṅgalā;
Akaṭṭhapākimaṁ sāliṁ,
paribhuñjanti mānusā.

35Akaṇaṁ athusaṁ suddhaṁ,
sugandhaṁ taṇḍulapphalaṁ;
Tuṇḍikīre pacitvāna,
tato bhuñjanti bhojanaṁ.

36Gāviṁ ekakhuraṁ katvā,
anuyanti disodisaṁ;
Pasuṁ ekakhuraṁ katvā,
anuyanti disodisaṁ.

37Itthiṁ vā vāhanaṁ katvā,
anuyanti disodisaṁ;
Purisaṁ vāhanaṁ katvā,
anuyanti disodisaṁ.

---

38Kumāriṁ vāhanaṁ katvā,
anuyanti disodisaṁ;
Kumāraṁ vāhanaṁ katvā,
anuyanti disodisaṁ.

39Te yāne abhiruhitvā,
Sabbā disā anupariyāyanti;
Pacārā tassa rājino.

40Hatthiyānaṁ assayānaṁ,
dibbaṁ yānaṁ upaṭṭhitaṁ;
Pāsādā sivikā ceva,
mahārājassa yasassino.

41Tassa ca nagarā ahu,
Antalikkhe sumāpitā;
Āṭānāṭā kusināṭā parakusināṭā,
Nāṭasuriyā parakusiṭanāṭā.

---

42Uttarena kasivanto,
Janoghamaparena ca;
Navanavutiyo ambaraambaravatiyo,
Āḷakamandā nāma rājadhānī.

43Kuverassa kho pana mārisa,
Mahārājassa visāṇā nāma rājadhānī;
Tasmā kuvero mahārājā,
' Vessavaṇo'ti pavuccati.

44Paccesanto pakāsenti,
Tatolā tattalā tatotalā;
Ojasi tejasi tatojasī,
Sūro rājā ariṭṭho nemi.

45Rahadopi tattha dharaṇī nāma,
Yato meghā pavassanti;
Vassā yato patāyanti,
Sabhāpi tattha sālavatī nāma.

---

46Yattha yakkhā payirupāsanti,
Tattha niccaphalā rukkhā;
Nānā dijagaṇā yutā,
Mayūrakoñcābhirudā;
Kokilādīhi vagguhi.

47Jīvañjīvakasaddettha,
atho oṭṭhavacittakā;
Kukkuṭakā kuḷīrakā,
vane pokkharasātakā.

48Sukasāḷikasaddettha,
daṇḍamāṇavakāni ca;
Sobhati sabbakālaṁ sā,
kuveranaḷinī sadā.

49Ito 'sā uttarā disā',
iti naṁ ācikkhatī jano;
Yaṁ disaṁ abhipāleti,
mahārājā yasassi so.

50Yakkhānañca adhipati,
' kuvero' iti nāmaso;
Ramatī naccagītehi,
yakkheheva purakkhato.

---

51Puttāpi tassa bahavo,
ekanāmāti me sutaṁ;
Asīti dasa eko ca,
indanāmā mahabbalā.

52Te cāpi buddhaṁ disvāna,
buddhaṁ ādiccabandhunaṁ;
Dūratova namassanti,
mahantaṁ vītasāradaṁ.

53Namo te purisājañña,
namo te purisuttama;
Kusalena samekkhasi,
amanussāpi taṁ vandanti;
Sutaṁ netaṁ abhiṇhaso,
tasmā evaṁ vademase.

54'Jinaṁ vandatha gotamaṁ',
' jinaṁ vandāma gotamaṁ;
Vijjācaraṇasampannaṁ,
buddhaṁ vandāma gotaman'ti.

55Ayaṁ kho sā, mārisa, āṭānāṭiyā rakkhā bhikkhūnaṁ bhikkhunīnaṁ upāsakānaṁ upāsikānaṁ guttiyā rakkhāya avihiṁsāya phāsuvihārāya.

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56Yassa kassaci, mārisa, bhikkhussa vā bhikkhuniyā vā upāsakassa vā upāsikāya vā ayaṁ āṭānāṭiyā rakkhā suggahitā bhavissati samattā pariyāputā. Tañce amanusso yakkho vā yakkhinī vā yakkhapotako vā yakkhapotikā vā yakkhamahāmatto vā yakkhapārisajjo vā yakkhapacāro vā, gandhabbo vā gandhabbī vā gandhabbapotako vā gandhabbapotikā vā gandhabbamahāmatto vā gandhabbapārisajjo vā gandhabbapacāro vā, kumbhaṇḍo vā kumbhaṇḍī vā kumbhaṇḍapotako vā kumbhaṇḍapotikā vā kumbhaṇḍamahāmatto vā kumbhaṇḍapārisajjo vā kumbhaṇḍapacāro vā, nāgo vā nāgī vā nāgapotako vā nāgapotikā vā nāgamahāmatto vā nāgapārisajjo vā nāgapacāro vā, paduṭṭhacitto bhikkhuṁ vā bhikkhuniṁ vā upāsakaṁ vā upāsikaṁ vā gacchantaṁ vā anugaccheyya, ṭhitaṁ vā upatiṭṭheyya, nisinnaṁ vā upanisīdeyya, nipannaṁ vā upanipajjeyya. Na me so, mārisa, amanusso labheyya gāmesu vā nigamesu vā sakkāraṁ vā garukāraṁ vā. Na me so, mārisa, amanusso labheyya āḷakamandāya nāma rājadhāniyā vatthuṁ vā vāsaṁ vā. Na me so, mārisa, amanusso labheyya yakkhānaṁ samitiṁ gantuṁ. Apissu naṁ, mārisa, amanussā anāvayhampi naṁ kareyyuṁ avivayhaṁ. Apissu naṁ, mārisa, amanussā attāhipi paripuṇṇāhi paribhāsāhi paribhāseyyuṁ. Apissu naṁ, mārisa, amanussā rittampissa pattaṁ sīse nikkujjeyyuṁ. Apissu naṁ, mārisa, amanussā sattadhāpissa muddhaṁ phāleyyuṁ.

57Santi hi, mārisa, amanussā caṇḍā ruddhā rabhasā, te neva mahārājānaṁ ādiyanti, na mahārājānaṁ purisakānaṁ ādiyanti, na mahārājānaṁ purisakānaṁ purisakānaṁ ādiyanti. Te kho te, mārisa, amanussā mahārājānaṁ avaruddhā nāma vuccanti. Seyyathāpi, mārisa, rañño māgadhassa vijite mahācorā. Te neva rañño māgadhassa ādiyanti, na rañño māgadhassa purisakānaṁ ādiyanti, na rañño māgadhassa purisakānaṁ purisakānaṁ ādiyanti. Te kho te, mārisa, mahācorā rañño māgadhassa avaruddhā nāma vuccanti. Evameva kho, mārisa, santi amanussā caṇḍā ruddhā rabhasā, te neva mahārājānaṁ ādiyanti, na mahārājānaṁ purisakānaṁ ādiyanti, na mahārājānaṁ purisakānaṁ purisakānaṁ ādiyanti. Te kho te, mārisa, amanussā mahārājānaṁ avaruddhā nāma vuccanti.

Yo hi koci, mārisa, amanusso yakkho vā yakkhinī vā … pe … gandhabbo vā gandhabbī vā … pe … kumbhaṇḍo vā kumbhaṇḍī vā … pe … nāgo vā nāgī vā nāgapotako vā nāgapotikā vā nāgamahāmatto vā nāgapārisajjo vā nāgapacāro vā paduṭṭhacitto bhikkhuṁ vā bhikkhuniṁ vā upāsakaṁ vā upāsikaṁ vā gacchantaṁ vā anugaccheyya, ṭhitaṁ vā upatiṭṭheyya, nisinnaṁ vā upanisīdeyya, nipannaṁ vā upanipajjeyya. Imesaṁ yakkhānaṁ mahāyakkhānaṁ senāpatīnaṁ mahāsenāpatīnaṁ ujjhāpetabbaṁ vikkanditabbaṁ viravitabbaṁ: 'ayaṁ yakkho gaṇhāti, ayaṁ yakkho āvisati, ayaṁ yakkho heṭheti, ayaṁ yakkho viheṭheti, ayaṁ yakkho hiṁsati, ayaṁ yakkho vihiṁsati, ayaṁ yakkho na muñcatī'ti.

---

58Katamesaṁ yakkhānaṁ mahāyakkhānaṁ senāpatīnaṁ mahāsenāpatīnaṁ?

59Indo somo varuṇo ca,
bhāradvājo pajāpati;
Candano kāmaseṭṭho ca,
kinnughaṇḍu nighaṇḍu ca.

60Panādo opamañño ca,
devasūto ca mātali;
Cittaseno ca gandhabbo,
naḷo rājā janesabho.

61Sātāgiro hemavato,
puṇṇako karatiyo guḷo;
Sivako mucalindo ca,
vessāmitto yugandharo.

62Gopālo supparodho ca,
Hiri netti ca mandiyo;
Pañcālacaṇḍo āḷavako,
Pajjunno sumano sumukho;
Dadhimukho maṇi māṇivaro dīgho,
Atho serīsako saha.

63Imesaṁ yakkhānaṁ mahāyakkhānaṁ senāpatīnaṁ mahāsenāpatīnaṁ ujjhāpetabbaṁ vikkanditabbaṁ viravitabbaṁ: 'ayaṁ yakkho gaṇhāti, ayaṁ yakkho āvisati, ayaṁ yakkho heṭheti, ayaṁ yakkho viheṭheti, ayaṁ yakkho hiṁsati, ayaṁ yakkho vihiṁsati, ayaṁ yakkho na muñcatī'ti.

64Ayaṁ kho sā, mārisa, āṭānāṭiyā rakkhā bhikkhūnaṁ bhikkhunīnaṁ upāsakānaṁ upāsikānaṁ guttiyā rakkhāya avihiṁsāya phāsuvihārāya. Handa ca dāni mayaṁ, mārisa, gacchāma bahukiccā mayaṁ bahukaraṇīyā"ti. "Yassadāni tumhe, mahārājāno, kālaṁ maññathā"ti.

65Atha kho cattāro mahārājā uṭṭhāyāsanā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā tatthevantaradhāyiṁsu. Tepi kho yakkhā uṭṭhāyāsanā appekacce bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā tatthevantaradhāyiṁsu. Appekacce bhagavatā saddhiṁ sammodiṁsu, sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā tatthevantaradhāyiṁsu. Appekacce yena bhagavā tenañjaliṁ paṇāmetvā tatthevantaradhāyiṁsu. Appekacce nāmagottaṁ sāvetvā tatthevantaradhāyiṁsu. Appekacce tuṇhībhūtā tatthevantaradhāyiṁsūti.

Paṭhamabhāṇavāro niṭṭhito.

2. Dutiyabhāṇavāra

66Atha kho bhagavā tassā rattiyā accayena bhikkhū āmantesi: "imaṁ, bhikkhave, rattiṁ cattāro mahārājā mahatiyā ca yakkhasenāya mahatiyā ca gandhabbasenāya mahatiyā ca kumbhaṇḍasenāya mahatiyā ca nāgasenāya catuddisaṁ rakkhaṁ ṭhapetvā catuddisaṁ gumbaṁ ṭhapetvā catuddisaṁ ovaraṇaṁ ṭhapetvā abhikkantāya rattiyā abhikkantavaṇṇā kevalakappaṁ gijjhakūṭaṁ pabbataṁ obhāsetvā yenāhaṁ tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā maṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu. Tepi kho, bhikkhave, yakkhā appekacce maṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu. Appekacce mayā saddhiṁ sammodiṁsu, sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu. Appekacce yenāhaṁ tenañjaliṁ paṇāmetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu. Appekacce nāmagottaṁ sāvetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu. Appekacce tuṇhībhūtā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu.

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67Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho, bhikkhave, vessavaṇo mahārājā maṁ etadavoca: 'santi hi, bhante, uḷārā yakkhā bhagavato appasannā … pe … santi hi, bhante, nīcā yakkhā bhagavato pasannā. Yebhuyyena kho pana, bhante, yakkhā appasannāyeva bhagavato.

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Taṁ kissa hetu? Bhagavā hi, bhante, pāṇātipātā veramaṇiyā dhammaṁ deseti … surāmerayamajjappamādaṭṭhānā veramaṇiyā dhammaṁ deseti. Yebhuyyena kho pana, bhante, yakkhā appaṭiviratāyeva pāṇātipātā … appaṭiviratā surāmerayamajjappamādaṭṭhānā. Tesaṁ taṁ hoti appiyaṁ amanāpaṁ.

Santi hi, bhante, bhagavato sāvakā araññavanapatthāni pantāni senāsanāni paṭisevanti appasaddāni appanigghosāni vijanavātāni manussarāhasseyyakāni paṭisallānasāruppāni. Tattha santi uḷārā yakkhā nivāsino, ye imasmiṁ bhagavato pāvacane appasannā, tesaṁ pasādāya uggaṇhātu, bhante, bhagavā āṭānāṭiyaṁ rakkhaṁ bhikkhūnaṁ bhikkhunīnaṁ upāsakānaṁ upāsikānaṁ guttiyā rakkhāya avihiṁsāya phāsuvihārāyā'ti. Adhivāsesiṁ kho ahaṁ, bhikkhave, tuṇhībhāvena. Atha kho, bhikkhave, vessavaṇo mahārājā me adhivāsanaṁ viditvā tāyaṁ velāyaṁ imaṁ āṭānāṭiyaṁ rakkhaṁ abhāsi:

 

68'Vipassissa ca namatthu,
cakkhumantassa sirīmato;
Sikhissapi ca namatthu,
sabbabhūtānukampino.

69Vessabhussa ca namatthu,
nhātakassa tapassino;
Namatthu kakusandhassa,
mārasenāpamaddino.

70Koṇāgamanassa namatthu,
brāhmaṇassa vusīmato;
Kassapassa ca namatthu,
vippamuttassa sabbadhi.

71Aṅgīrasassa namatthu,
sakyaputtassa sirīmato;
Yo imaṁ dhammaṁ desesi,
sabbadukkhāpanūdanaṁ.

72Ye cāpi nibbutā loke,
yathābhūtaṁ vipassisuṁ;
Te janā apisuṇātha,
mahantā vītasāradā.

73Hitaṁ devamanussānaṁ,
yaṁ namassanti gotamaṁ;
Vijjācaraṇasampannaṁ,
mahantaṁ vītasāradaṁ.

 

74Yato uggacchati sūriyo,
ādicco maṇḍalī mahā;
Yassa cuggacchamānassa,
saṁvarīpi nirujjhati;
Yassa cuggate sūriye,
"divaso"ti pavuccati.

75Rahadopi tattha gambhīro,
samuddo saritodako;
Evaṁ taṁ tattha jānanti,
"samuddo saritodako".

76Ito "sā purimā disā",
iti naṁ ācikkhatī jano;
Yaṁ disaṁ abhipāleti,
mahārājā yasassi so.

---

77Gandhabbānaṁ adhipati,
" dhataraṭṭho"ti nāmaso;
Ramatī naccagītehi,
gandhabbehi purakkhato.

78Puttāpi tassa bahavo,
ekanāmāti me sutaṁ;
Asīti dasa eko ca,
indanāmā mahabbalā.

79Te cāpi buddhaṁ disvāna,
buddhaṁ ādiccabandhunaṁ;
Dūratova namassanti,
mahantaṁ vītasāradaṁ.

80Namo te purisājañña,
namo te purisuttama;
Kusalena samekkhasi,
amanussāpi taṁ vandanti;
Sutaṁ netaṁ abhiṇhaso,
tasmā evaṁ vademase.

81"Jinaṁ vandatha gotamaṁ,
jinaṁ vandāma gotamaṁ;
Vijjācaraṇasampannaṁ,
buddhaṁ vandāma gotamaṁ".

 

82Yena petā pavuccanti,
pisuṇā piṭṭhimaṁsikā;
Pāṇātipātino luddā,
corā nekatikā janā.

83Ito "sā dakkhiṇā disā",
iti naṁ ācikkhatī jano;
Yaṁ disaṁ abhipāleti,
mahārājā yasassi so.

84Kumbhaṇḍānaṁ adhipati,
" virūḷho" iti nāmaso;
Ramatī naccagītehi,
kumbhaṇḍehi purakkhato.

---

85Puttāpi tassa bahavo,
ekanāmāti me sutaṁ;
Asīti dasa eko ca,
indanāmā mahabbalā.

86Te cāpi buddhaṁ disvāna,
buddhaṁ ādiccabandhunaṁ;
Dūratova namassanti,
mahantaṁ vītasāradaṁ.

87Namo te purisājañña,
namo te purisuttama;
Kusalena samekkhasi,
amanussāpi taṁ vandanti;
Sutaṁ netaṁ abhiṇhaso,
tasmā evaṁ vademase.

88"Jinaṁ vandatha gotamaṁ,
jinaṁ vandāma gotamaṁ;
Vijjācaraṇasampannaṁ,
buddhaṁ vandāma gotamaṁ".

 

89Yattha coggacchati sūriyo,
ādicco maṇḍalī mahā;
Yassa coggacchamānassa,
divasopi nirujjhati;
Yassa coggate sūriye,
"saṁvarī"ti pavuccati.

90Rahadopi tattha gambhīro,
samuddo saritodako;
Evaṁ taṁ tattha jānanti,
samuddo saritodako.

91Ito "sā pacchimā disā",
iti naṁ ācikkhatī jano;
Yaṁ disaṁ abhipāleti,
mahārājā yasassi so.

92Nāgānañca adhipati,
" virūpakkho"ti nāmaso;
Ramatī naccagītehi,
nāgeheva purakkhato.

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93Puttāpi tassa bahavo,
ekanāmāti me sutaṁ;
Asīti dasa eko ca,
indanāmā mahabbalā.

94Te cāpi buddhaṁ disvāna,
buddhaṁ ādiccabandhunaṁ;
Dūratova namassanti,
mahantaṁ vītasāradaṁ.

95Namo te purisājañña,
namo te purisuttama;
Kusalena samekkhasi,
amanussāpi taṁ vandanti;
Sutaṁ netaṁ abhiṇhaso,
tasmā evaṁ vademase.

96"Jinaṁ vandatha gotamaṁ,
jinaṁ vandāma gotamaṁ;
Vijjācaraṇasampannaṁ,
buddhaṁ vandāma gotamaṁ".

 

97Yena uttarakuruvho,
mahāneru sudassano;
Manussā tattha jāyanti,
amamā apariggahā.

98Na te bījaṁ pavapanti,
nāpi nīyanti naṅgalā;
Akaṭṭhapākimaṁ sāliṁ,
paribhuñjanti mānusā.

99Akaṇaṁ athusaṁ suddhaṁ,
sugandhaṁ taṇḍulapphalaṁ;
Tuṇḍikīre pacitvāna,
tato bhuñjanti bhojanaṁ.

100Gāviṁ ekakhuraṁ katvā,
anuyanti disodisaṁ;
Pasuṁ ekakhuraṁ katvā,
anuyanti disodisaṁ.

101Itthiṁ vā vāhanaṁ katvā,
anuyanti disodisaṁ;
Purisaṁ vāhanaṁ katvā,
anuyanti disodisaṁ.

102Kumāriṁ vāhanaṁ katvā,
anuyanti disodisaṁ;
Kumāraṁ vāhanaṁ katvā,
anuyanti disodisaṁ.

103Te yāne abhiruhitvā,
Sabbā disā anupariyāyanti;
Pacārā tassa rājino.

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104Hatthiyānaṁ assayānaṁ,
dibbaṁ yānaṁ upaṭṭhitaṁ;
Pāsādā sivikā ceva,
mahārājassa yasassino.

105Tassa ca nagarā ahu,
Antalikkhe sumāpitā;
Āṭānāṭā kusināṭā parakusināṭā,
Nāṭasuriyā parakusiṭanāṭā.

106Uttarena kasivanto,
Janoghamaparena ca;
Navanavutiyo ambaraambaravatiyo,
Āḷakamandā nāma rājadhānī.

107Kuverassa kho pana mārisa,
Mahārājassa visāṇā nāma rājadhānī;
Tasmā kuvero mahārājā,
"Vessavaṇo"ti pavuccati.

108Paccesanto pakāsenti,
Tatolā tattalā tatotalā;
Ojasi tejasi tatojasī,
Sūro rājā ariṭṭho nemi.

109Rahadopi tattha dharaṇī nāma,
Yato meghā pavassanti;
Vassā yato patāyanti,
Sabhāpi tattha sālavatī nāma.

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110Yattha yakkhā payirupāsanti,
Tattha niccaphalā rukkhā;
Nānā dijagaṇā yutā,
Mayūrakoñcābhirudā;
Kokilādīhi vagguhi.

111Jīvañjīvakasaddettha,
atho oṭṭhavacittakā;
Kukkuṭakā kuḷīrakā,
vane pokkharasātakā.

112Sukasāḷika saddettha,
daṇḍamāṇavakāni ca;
Sobhati sabbakālaṁ sā,
kuveranaḷinī sadā.

113Ito "sā uttarā disā",
iti naṁ ācikkhatī jano;
Yaṁ disaṁ abhipāleti,
mahārājā yasassi so.

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114Yakkhānañca adhipati,
" kuvero" iti nāmaso;
Ramatī naccagītehi,
yakkheheva purakkhato.

115Puttāpi tassa bahavo,
ekanāmāti me sutaṁ;
Asīti dasa eko ca,
indanāmā mahabbalā.

116Te cāpi buddhaṁ disvāna,
buddhaṁ ādiccabandhunaṁ;
Dūratova namassanti,
mahantaṁ vītasāradaṁ.

117Namo te purisājañña,
namo te purisuttama;
Kusalena samekkhasi,
amanussāpi taṁ vandanti;
Sutaṁ netaṁ abhiṇhaso,
tasmā evaṁ vademase.

118"Jinaṁ vandatha gotamaṁ,
jinaṁ vandāma gotamaṁ;
Vijjācaraṇasampannaṁ,
buddhaṁ vandāma gotaman"ti.

119Ayaṁ kho sā, mārisa, āṭānāṭiyā rakkhā bhikkhūnaṁ bhikkhunīnaṁ upāsakānaṁ upāsikānaṁ guttiyā rakkhāya avihiṁsāya phāsuvihārāya. Yassa kassaci, mārisa, bhikkhussa vā bhikkhuniyā vā upāsakassa vā upāsikāya vā ayaṁ āṭānāṭiyā rakkhā suggahitā bhavissati samattā pariyāputā tañce amanusso yakkho vā yakkhinī vā … pe … gandhabbo vā gandhabbī vā … pe … kumbhaṇḍo vā kumbhaṇḍī vā … pe … nāgo vā nāgī vā nāgapotako vā nāgapotikā vā nāgamahāmatto vā nāgapārisajjo vā nāgapacāro vā, paduṭṭhacitto bhikkhuṁ vā bhikkhuniṁ vā upāsakaṁ vā upāsikaṁ vā gacchantaṁ vā anugaccheyya, ṭhitaṁ vā upatiṭṭheyya, nisinnaṁ vā upanisīdeyya, nipannaṁ vā upanipajjeyya. Na me so, mārisa, amanusso labheyya gāmesu vā nigamesu vā sakkāraṁ vā garukāraṁ vā. Na me so, mārisa, amanusso labheyya āḷakamandāya nāma rājadhāniyā vatthuṁ vā vāsaṁ vā. Na me so, mārisa, amanusso labheyya yakkhānaṁ samitiṁ gantuṁ. Apissu naṁ, mārisa, amanussā anāvayhampi naṁ kareyyuṁ avivayhaṁ. Apissu naṁ, mārisa, amanussā attāhi paripuṇṇāhi paribhāsāhi paribhāseyyuṁ. Apissu naṁ, mārisa, amanussā rittampissa pattaṁ sīse nikkujjeyyuṁ. Apissu naṁ, mārisa, amanussā sattadhāpissa muddhaṁ phāleyyuṁ.

120Santi hi, mārisa, amanussā caṇḍā ruddhā rabhasā, te neva mahārājānaṁ ādiyanti, na mahārājānaṁ purisakānaṁ ādiyanti, na mahārājānaṁ purisakānaṁ purisakānaṁ ādiyanti. Te kho te, mārisa, amanussā mahārājānaṁ avaruddhā nāma vuccanti. Seyyathāpi, mārisa, rañño māgadhassa vijite mahācorā. Te neva rañño māgadhassa ādiyanti, na rañño māgadhassa purisakānaṁ ādiyanti, na rañño māgadhassa purisakānaṁ purisakānaṁ ādiyanti. Te kho te, mārisa, mahācorā rañño māgadhassa avaruddhā nāma vuccanti. Evameva kho, mārisa, santi amanussā caṇḍā ruddhā rabhasā, te neva mahārājānaṁ ādiyanti, na mahārājānaṁ purisakānaṁ ādiyanti, na mahārājānaṁ purisakānaṁ purisakānaṁ ādiyanti. Te kho te, mārisa, amanussā mahārājānaṁ avaruddhā nāma vuccanti.

Yo hi koci, mārisa, amanusso yakkho vā yakkhinī vā … pe … gandhabbo vā gandhabbī vā … pe … kumbhaṇḍo vā kumbhaṇḍī vā … pe … nāgo vā nāgī vā … pe … paduṭṭhacitto bhikkhuṁ vā bhikkhuniṁ vā upāsakaṁ vā upāsikaṁ vā gacchantaṁ vā upagaccheyya, ṭhitaṁ vā upatiṭṭheyya, nisinnaṁ vā upanisīdeyya, nipannaṁ vā upanipajjeyya. Imesaṁ yakkhānaṁ mahāyakkhānaṁ senāpatīnaṁ mahāsenāpatīnaṁ ujjhāpetabbaṁ vikkanditabbaṁ viravitabbaṁ: "Ayaṁ yakkho gaṇhāti, ayaṁ yakkho āvisati, ayaṁ yakkho heṭheti, ayaṁ yakkho viheṭheti, ayaṁ yakkho hiṁsati, ayaṁ yakkho vihiṁsati, ayaṁ yakkho na muñcatī"ti.

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121Katamesaṁ yakkhānaṁ mahāyakkhānaṁ senāpatīnaṁ mahāsenāpatīnaṁ?

122Indo somo varuṇo ca,
bhāradvājo pajāpati;
Candano kāmaseṭṭho ca,
kinnughaṇḍu nighaṇḍu ca.

123Panādo opamañño ca,
devasūto ca mātali;
Cittaseno ca gandhabbo,
naḷo rājā janesabho.

124Sātāgiro hemavato,
puṇṇako karatiyo guḷo;
Sivako mucalindo ca,
vessāmitto yugandharo.

125Gopālo supparodho ca,
Hiri netti ca mandiyo;
Pañcālacaṇḍo āḷavako,
Pajjunno sumano sumukho;
Dadhimukho maṇi māṇivaro dīgho,
Atho serīsako saha.

126Imesaṁ yakkhānaṁ mahāyakkhānaṁ senāpatīnaṁ mahāsenāpatīnaṁ ujjhāpetabbaṁ vikkanditabbaṁ viravitabbaṁ: "Ayaṁ yakkho gaṇhāti, ayaṁ yakkho āvisati, ayaṁ yakkho heṭheti, ayaṁ yakkho viheṭheti, ayaṁ yakkho hiṁsati, ayaṁ yakkho vihiṁsati, ayaṁ yakkho na muñcatī"ti.

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127Ayaṁ kho, mārisa, āṭānāṭiyā rakkhā bhikkhūnaṁ bhikkhunīnaṁ upāsakānaṁ upāsikānaṁ guttiyā rakkhāya avihiṁsāya phāsuvihārāya. Handa ca dāni mayaṁ, mārisa, gacchāma, bahukiccā mayaṁ bahukaraṇīyā'ti. 'Yassadāni tumhe, mahārājāno, kālaṁ maññathā'ti.

128Atha kho, bhikkhave, cattāro mahārājā uṭṭhāyāsanā maṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā tatthevantaradhāyiṁsu. Tepi kho, bhikkhave, yakkhā uṭṭhāyāsanā appekacce maṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā tatthevantaradhāyiṁsu. Appekacce mayā saddhiṁ sammodiṁsu, sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā tatthevantaradhāyiṁsu. Appekacce yenāhaṁ tenañjaliṁ paṇāmetvā tatthevantaradhāyiṁsu. Appekacce nāmagottaṁ sāvetvā tatthevantaradhāyiṁsu. Appekacce tuṇhībhūtā tatthevantaradhāyiṁsu.

129Uggaṇhātha, bhikkhave, āṭānāṭiyaṁ rakkhaṁ. Pariyāpuṇātha, bhikkhave, āṭānāṭiyaṁ rakkhaṁ. Dhāretha, bhikkhave, āṭānāṭiyaṁ rakkhaṁ. Atthasaṁhitā, bhikkhave, āṭānāṭiyā rakkhā bhikkhūnaṁ bhikkhunīnaṁ upāsakānaṁ upāsikānaṁ guttiyā rakkhāya avihiṁsāya phāsuvihārāyā"ti.

130Idamavoca bhagavā. Attamanā te bhikkhū bhagavato bhāsitaṁ abhinandunti.

Āṭānāṭiyasuttaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ navamaṁ.