9.
The Discourse on Selā
170.
At Sāvatthī.
Then the nun Selā, having dressed in the earlier period of the day, etc.
sat down for the day residence at the foot of a certain tree.
Then Māra the Evil One, wishing to arouse fear, trepidation, and terror in the nun Selā, etc.
addressed the nun Selā in verse -
Where has the image arisen, where does the image cease?"
Then this occurred to the nun Selā - "Who indeed is this, a human being or a non-human spirit, speaking a verse?" Then this occurred to the nun Selā - "This is Māra the Evil One, wishing to arouse fear, trepidation, and terror in me, wishing to make me fall away from concentration, speaking a verse." Then the nun Selā, having understood "this is Māra the Evil One", replied to Māra the Evil One in verses -
Dependent on a cause it has arisen, from the dissolution of the cause it ceases.
Having come upon both the earth's essence and moisture.
Dependent on a cause they have arisen, from the dissolution of the cause they cease."
Then Māra the Evil One, thinking "the nun Selā knows me", afflicted and unhappy, disappeared right there.