The Cry of the Gods · Translation: Bhikkhu Sujato, SuttaCentral
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Vuttañhetaṁ bhagavatā vuttamarahatāti me sutaṁ:
This was said by the Buddha, the Perfected One: that is what I heard.
“Tayome, bhikkhave, devesu devasaddā niccharanti samayā samayaṁ upādāya. Katame tayo? Yasmiṁ, bhikkhave, samaye ariyasāvako kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajjāya ceteti, tasmiṁ samaye devesu devasaddo niccharati: ‘eso ariyasāvako mārena saddhiṁ saṅgāmāya cetetī’ti. Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, paṭhamo devesu devasaddo niccharati samayā samayaṁ upādāya.
“Mendicants, these three cries are uttered among the gods on occasion. What three? When a noble disciple shaves off their hair and beard, dresses in ocher robes, and goes forth from the lay life to homelessness, the gods cry out: ‘This noble disciple intends to join battle with Māra!’ This is the first occasion a cry is uttered among the gods.
Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, yasmiṁ samaye ariyasāvako sattannaṁ bodhipakkhiyānaṁ dhammānaṁ bhāvanānuyogamanuyutto viharati, tasmiṁ samaye devesu devasaddo niccharati: ‘eso ariyasāvako mārena saddhiṁ saṅgāmetī’ti. Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, dutiyo devesu devasaddo niccharati samayā samayaṁ upādāya.
Furthermore, when a noble disciple meditates pursuing the development of the seven qualities on the side of awakening, the gods cry out: ‘This noble disciple is joining battle with Māra!’ This is the second occasion a cry is uttered among the gods.
Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, yasmiṁ samaye ariyasāvako āsavānaṁ khayā anāsavaṁ cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ diṭṭheva dhamme sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharati, tasmiṁ samaye devesu devasaddo niccharati: ‘eso ariyasāvako vijitasaṅgāmo tameva saṅgāmasīsaṁ abhivijiya ajjhāvasatī’ti. Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, tatiyo devesu devasaddo niccharati samayā samayaṁ upādāya. Ime kho, bhikkhave, tayo devesu devasaddā niccharanti samayā samayaṁ upādāyā”ti. Etamatthaṁ bhagavā avoca. Tatthetaṁ iti vuccati:
Furthermore, when a noble disciple realizes the undefiled freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom. And they live having realized it with their own insight in this very life due to the ending of defilements, the gods cry out: ‘This noble disciple has won victory in battle, establishing himself as foremost in battle!’ This is the third occasion a cry is uttered among the gods. These are the three cries that are uttered among the gods on occasion.” The Buddha spoke this matter. On this it is said:
“Disvā vijitasaṅgāmaṁ, sammāsambuddhasāvakaṁ; Devatāpi namassanti, mahantaṁ vītasāradaṁ.
“Seeing the winner of the battle— a disciple of the Buddha, great of heart, intrepid— even the deities revere them:
Namo te purisājañña, yo tvaṁ dujjayamajjhabhū; Jetvāna maccuno senaṁ, vimokkhena anāvaraṁ.
‘Homage to you, O thoroughbred! You won a battle hard to win! Having defeated the army of death, your liberation is unhindered.’
Iti hetaṁ namassanti, devatā pattamānasaṁ; Tañhi tassa na passanti, yena maccuvasaṁ vaje”ti.
And so the deities revere the one, who has achieved their heart’s desire. For they see nothing in them by means of which they might fall under the sway of Death.”
Ayampi attho vutto bhagavatā, iti me sutanti. Tatiyaṁ.
This too is a matter that was spoken by the Blessed One: that is what I heard.
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