4.
The Discourse on Following for Seven Years
160.
Thus have I heard -
On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Uruvelā on the bank of the river Nerañjarā at the goatherd's banyan tree.
Now at that time Māra the Evil One had been following the Blessed One for seven years, watching for a chance, not obtaining a chance.
Then Māra the Evil One approached the Blessed One;
having approached, he addressed the Blessed One in verse -
Having lost wealth or desiring it?
Did you commit some offence in the village,
Why do you not make friendship with people;
Friendship is not achieved by you with anyone?"
Without offence I meditate, not grieving;
Having cut off all craving for existence,
Without mental corruptions I meditate, friend of the heedless."
If here your mind is present, you will not escape from me, ascetic."
Thus know, Evil One, you will not even see my path."
Go away, go alone, why do you instruct others?"
When asked by them I declare what is truth, that is without clinging."
"Just as, venerable sir, not far from a village or a town there might be a pond. There might be a crab. Then, venerable sir, several boys or girls, having gone out from that village or town, might approach that pond; having approached, having pulled that crab out of the water, they might set it on dry ground. Whatever claw, venerable sir, that crab might extend, that very claw those boys or girls would cut, break, and smash with a stick or a potsherd. Thus indeed, venerable sir, that crab, with all its claws cut, broken, and smashed, would be incapable of descending into that pond. So too, venerable sir, whatever wrigglings, contortions, and struggles, all those have been cut, broken, and smashed by the Blessed One. I am now incapable, venerable sir, of approaching the Blessed One again, that is to say, watching for a chance." Then Māra the Evil One spoke these verses of dejection in the presence of the Blessed One -
'Perhaps here we may find something soft, perhaps there may be some gratification.'
Like a crow having struck against a rock, let us depart disheartened from Gotama."