9.
The Discourse on the Āṭānātā Protective Verses
First recitation section
275.
Thus have I heard -
On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Rājagaha on the Vulture's Peak mountain.
Then the four great kings, having set up protection in the four directions with a great army of demons, with a great army of gandhabbas, with a great army of kumbhaṇḍas, and with a great army of nāgas, having set up troops in the four directions, having set up guards in the four directions, when the night was far advanced, with surpassing beauty, having illuminated the entire Vulture's Peak mountain, approached the Blessed One;
having approached, they paid respect to the Blessed One and sat down to one side.
Those demons too, some having paid respect to the Blessed One, sat down to one side; some exchanged friendly greetings with the Blessed One, and having concluded the pleasant and memorable talk, sat down to one side; some, having extended joined palms in salutation towards the Blessed One, sat down to one side; some, having announced their name and clan, sat down to one side; some, remaining silent, sat down to one side.
276.
Seated to one side, the great king Vessavaṇa said this to the Blessed One -
"There are indeed, venerable sir, eminent demons who are not devoted to the Blessed One.
There are indeed, venerable sir, eminent demons who are devoted to the Blessed One.
There are indeed, venerable sir, middling demons who are not devoted to the Blessed One.
There are indeed, venerable sir, middling demons who are devoted to the Blessed One.
There are indeed, venerable sir, inferior demons who are not devoted to the Blessed One.
There are indeed, venerable sir, inferior demons who are devoted to the Blessed One.
For the most part, however, venerable sir, demons are not devoted to the Blessed One.
What is the reason for this?
For the Blessed One, venerable sir, teaches the Teaching for abstention from killing living beings, teaches the Teaching for abstention from taking what is not given, teaches the Teaching for abstention from sexual misconduct, teaches the Teaching for abstention from lying, teaches the Teaching for abstention from spirits, liquor and intoxicants that cause negligence.
For the most part, however, venerable sir, demons do not abstain from killing living beings, do not abstain from taking what is not given, do not abstain from sexual misconduct, do not abstain from lying, do not abstain from spirits, liquor and intoxicants that cause negligence.
To them that is disagreeable and unpleasant.
There are indeed, venerable sir, disciples of the Blessed One who resort to remote forest and woodland lodgings, secluded, with little sound, with little noise, having an atmosphere of solitude, suitable for human seclusion, suitable for retreat.
There dwell eminent demons who are not devoted to this teaching of the Blessed One.
For their confidence, may the Blessed One, venerable sir, learn the Āṭānāṭiya protection for the protection, safety, non-violence, and comfortable dwelling of monks, nuns, male lay followers, and female lay followers."
The Blessed One consented by silence.
Then the great king Vessavaṇa, having understood the Blessed One's consent, at that time spoke this Āṭānāṭiya protection -
277.
"Homage to Vipassī, the one endowed with vision, the glorious one.
Homage to Kakusandha, the crusher of Māra's army.
And homage to Kassapa, the one free everywhere.
Who taught this Teaching, the dispelling of all suffering.
Those people are without divisive speech, great ones, free from timidity.
Accomplished in true knowledge and conduct, the great one, free from timidity.
278.
"From where the sun rises, the great orbed sun.
When the sun has risen, it is called 'day'.
Thus they know it there, 'the ocean with flowing waters'.
That direction which the glorious great king protects.
He delights in dancing and singing, honoured by the gandhabbas.
Eighty, ten, and one, named after Inda, of great power.
From afar they pay homage to the great one, free from timidity.
With skill you observe, even non-humans pay homage to you;
We have heard this repeatedly, therefore thus we say.
Accomplished in true knowledge and conduct, we pay homage to the Buddha Gotama.'
279.
"By which ghosts are called, the divisive, the backbiters,
That direction which the glorious great king protects.
He delights in dancing and singing, honoured by the kumbhaṇḍas.
Eighty, ten, and one, named after Inda, of great power.
From afar they pay homage to the great one, free from timidity.
With skill you observe, even non-humans pay homage to you;
We have heard this repeatedly, therefore thus we say.
Accomplished in true knowledge and conduct, we pay homage to the Buddha Gotama.'
280.
"Where the sun sets, the great orbed sun.
When the sun has set, it is called 'night'.
Thus they know it there, 'the ocean with flowing waters'.
That direction which the glorious great king protects.
He delights in dancing and singing, honoured by the nāgas.
Eighty, ten, and one, named after Inda, of great power.
From afar they pay homage to the great one, free from timidity.
With skill you observe, even non-humans pay homage to you;
We have heard this repeatedly, therefore thus we say.
Accomplished in true knowledge and conduct, we pay homage to the Buddha Gotama.'
281.
"Where Uttarakuru is, the great Neru of beautiful appearance.
Humans consume rice ripening without cultivation.
Having cooked it in pots, from that they eat their food.
Having made a beast into a single-hoofed mount, they travel in every direction.
Having made a man into a vehicle, they travel in every direction.
Having made a boy into a vehicle, they travel in every direction.
Travel around in all directions;
The attendants of that king.
Mansions and palanquins too, for the famous great king.
Well-built in the sky;
Āṭānāṭā, Kusināṭā, Parakusināṭā,
Nāṭasuriyā, Parakusiṭanāṭā.
And beyond that Janogha;
Navanavutiyo, Ambaraambaravatiyo,
A royal city named Āḷakamandā.
Therefore the great king Kuvera is called 'Vessavaṇa'.
Ojasi, Tejasi, Tatojasī, Sūra, Rājā, Ariṭṭha, Nemi.
From which the rains pour down, and there too is an assembly hall named Sālavatī.
Filled with various flocks of birds, resounding with peacocks and herons;
With cuckoos and other sweet-voiced birds.
Jungle fowl, crabs, in the forest pokkharasātaka birds.
That lotus pond of Kuvera shines beautifully at all times, always.
That direction which the glorious great king protects.
He delights in dancing and singing, honoured by the yakkhas.
Eighty, ten, and one, named after Inda, of great power.
From afar they pay homage to the great one, free from timidity.
With skill you observe, even non-humans pay homage to you;
We have heard this repeatedly, therefore thus we say.
Accomplished in true knowledge and conduct, we pay homage to the Buddha Gotama.'"
"This, sir, is the Āṭānāṭiya protection for the protection, safety, non-violence, and comfortable dwelling of monks, nuns, male lay followers, and female lay followers.
282.
"For whoever, sir, whether monk or nun or male lay follower or female lay follower, this Āṭānāṭiya protection will be rightly taken, complete and thoroughly learnt.
If a non-human spirit - whether a demon or demoness or young male demon or young female demon or demon minister or demon attendant or demon servant, or a gandhabba or female gandhabba or young male gandhabba or young female gandhabba or gandhabba minister or gandhabba attendant or gandhabba servant, or a kumbhaṇḍa or female kumbhaṇḍa or young male kumbhaṇḍa or young female kumbhaṇḍa or kumbhaṇḍa minister or kumbhaṇḍa attendant or kumbhaṇḍa servant, or a serpent or female serpent or young male serpent or young female serpent or serpent minister or serpent attendant or serpent servant - with corrupted mind should follow a monk or nun or male lay follower or female lay follower who is walking, or should stand close to one who is standing, or should sit close to one who is sitting, or should lie down close to one who is lying down.
That non-human spirit, sir, would not obtain honour or respect in villages or towns.
That non-human spirit, sir, would not obtain a site or habitation in the royal city named Āḷakamandā.
That non-human spirit, sir, would not be able to go to the assembly of demons.
So much so, sir, that the non-human spirits would make him unfit for marriage, unfit to be given in marriage.
So much so, sir, that the non-human spirits would abuse him with complete abuses referring to his own nature.
So much so, sir, that the non-human spirits would turn an empty bowl upside down on his head.
So much so, sir, that the non-human spirits would split his head into seven pieces.
"For there are, sir, non-human spirits who are fierce, hostile, and violent; they do not heed the Great Kings, nor do they heed the men of the Great Kings, nor do they heed the men of the men of the Great Kings. Those non-human spirits, sir, are called rebels against the Great Kings. Just as, sir, in the realm of the King of Magadha there are great thieves. They do not heed the King of Magadha, nor do they heed the men of the King of Magadha, nor do they heed the men of the men of the King of Magadha. Those great thieves, sir, are called rebels against the King of Magadha. Just so, sir, there are non-human spirits who are fierce, hostile, and violent; they do not heed the Great Kings, nor do they heed the men of the Great Kings, nor do they heed the men of the men of the Great Kings. Those non-human spirits, sir, are called rebels against the Great Kings. Whoever, sir, is a non-human spirit - whether a demon or demoness, etc. or a gandhabba or female gandhabba... or a kumbhaṇḍa or female kumbhaṇḍa... or a serpent or female serpent or young male serpent or young female serpent or serpent minister or serpent attendant or serpent servant - with corrupted mind should follow a monk or nun or male lay follower or female lay follower who is walking, or should stand close to one who is standing, or should sit close to one who is sitting, or should lie down close to one who is lying down. These demons, great demons, generals, and great generals should be informed, should be cried out to, should be called upon - 'This demon seizes, this demon possesses, this demon harasses, this demon vexes, this demon harms, this demon injures, this demon does not release.'
283.
"Which demons, great demons, generals, and great generals?
Candana and Kāmaseṭṭha, Kinnughaṇḍu and Nighaṇḍu.
And the gandhabba Cittasena, King Naḷa, Janesabha.
Sivaka and Mucalinda, Vessāmitta, Yugandhara.
Pañcālacaṇḍa, Āḷavaka, Pajjunna, Sumana, Sumukha;
Dadhimukha, Maṇi, Māṇivara, Dīgha, and also Serīsaka together.
"These demons, great demons, generals, and great generals should be informed, should be cried out to, should be called upon - 'This demon seizes, this demon possesses, this demon harasses, this demon vexes, this demon harms, this demon injures, this demon does not release.'
"This, sir, is the Āṭānāṭiya protection for the protection, safety, non-violence, and comfortable dwelling of monks, nuns, male lay followers, and female lay followers. Well then, sir, we will now go. We have much to do, we have many duties." "Now do as you think fit, great kings."
284.
Then the four great kings, having risen from their seats, paid respect to the Blessed One, circumambulated him keeping him on their right, and disappeared right there.
Those demons too, having risen from their seats, some having paid respect to the Blessed One, circumambulated him keeping him on their right, and disappeared right there.
Some exchanged friendly greetings with the Blessed One, and having concluded the pleasant and memorable talk, disappeared right there.
Some, having extended joined palms in salutation towards the Blessed One, disappeared right there.
Some, having announced their name and clan, disappeared right there.
Some, remaining silent, disappeared right there.
The first recitation section is concluded.
Second recitation section
285.
Then the Blessed One, after that night had passed, addressed the monks -
"This night, monks, the four great kings, having set up protection in the four directions with a great army of demons, with a great army of gandhabbas, with a great army of kumbhaṇḍas, and with a great army of nāgas, having set up troops in the four directions, having set up guards in the four directions, when the night was far advanced, with surpassing beauty, having illuminated the entire Vulture's Peak mountain, approached me;
having approached, they paid respect to me and sat down to one side.
Those demons too, monks, some having paid respect to me, sat down to one side.
Some exchanged friendly greetings with me, and having concluded the pleasant and memorable talk, sat down to one side.
Some, having extended joined palms in salutation towards me, sat down to one side.
Some, having announced their name and clan, sat down to one side.
Some, remaining silent, sat down to one side.
286.
Seated to one side, monks, the great king Vessavaṇa said this to me -
"There are indeed, venerable sir, eminent demons who are not devoted to the Blessed One. Etc.
There are indeed, venerable sir, inferior demons who are devoted to the Blessed One.
For the most part, however, venerable sir, demons are not devoted to the Blessed One.
What is the reason for this?
For the Blessed One, venerable sir, teaches the Teaching for abstention from killing living beings.
teaches the Teaching for abstention from spirits, liquor and intoxicants that cause negligence.
For the most part, however, venerable sir, demons do not abstain from killing living beings.
do not abstain from spirits, liquor and intoxicants that cause negligence.
To them that is disagreeable and unpleasant.
There are indeed, venerable sir, disciples of the Blessed One who resort to remote forest and woodland lodgings, secluded, with little sound, with little noise, having an atmosphere of solitude, suitable for human seclusion, suitable for retreat.
There dwell eminent demons who are not devoted to this teaching of the Blessed One. For their confidence, may the Blessed One, venerable sir, learn the Āṭānāṭiya protection for the protection, safety, non-violence, and comfortable dwelling of monks, nuns, male lay followers, and female lay followers."
I consented, monks, by silence.
Then, monks, the great king Vessavaṇa, having understood my consent, at that time spoke this Āṭānāṭiya protection -
287.
"Homage to Vipassī, the one endowed with vision, the glorious one.
Homage to Kakusandha, the crusher of Māra's army.
And homage to Kassapa, the one free everywhere.
Who taught this Teaching, the dispelling of all suffering.
Those people are without divisive speech, great ones, free from timidity.
Accomplished in true knowledge and conduct, the great one, free from timidity.
288.
"From where the sun rises, the great orbed sun.
When the sun has risen, it is called 'day'.
Thus they know it there, 'the ocean with flowing waters'.
That direction which the glorious great king protects.
He delights in dancing and singing, honoured by the gandhabbas.
Eighty, ten, and one, named after Inda, of great power.
From afar they pay homage to the great one, free from timidity.
With skill you observe, even non-humans pay homage to you;
We have heard this repeatedly, therefore thus we say.
Accomplished in true knowledge and conduct, we pay homage to the Buddha Gotama.'"
289.
"By which ghosts are called, the divisive, the backbiters,
That direction which the glorious great king protects.
He delights in dancing and singing, honoured by the kumbhaṇḍas.
Eighty, ten, and one, named after Inda, of great power.
From afar they pay homage to the great one, free from timidity.
With skill you observe, even non-humans pay homage to you;
We have heard this repeatedly, therefore thus we say.
Accomplished in true knowledge and conduct, we pay homage to the Buddha Gotama.'"
290.
"Where the sun sets, the great orbed sun.
When the sun has set, it is called 'night'.
Thus they know it there, 'the ocean with flowing waters'.
That direction which the glorious great king protects.
He delights in dancing and singing, honoured by the nāgas.
Eighty, ten, and one, named after Inda, of great power.
From afar they pay homage to the great one, free from timidity.
With skill you observe, even non-humans pay homage to you;
We have heard this repeatedly, therefore thus we say.
Accomplished in true knowledge and conduct, we pay homage to the Buddha Gotama.'"
291.
"Where Uttarakuru is, the great Neru of beautiful appearance.
Humans consume rice ripening without cultivation.
Having cooked it in pots, from that they eat their food.
Having made a beast into a single-hoofed mount, they travel in every direction.
Having made a man into a vehicle, they travel in every direction.
Having made a boy into a vehicle, they travel in every direction.
Travel around in all directions;
The attendants of that king.
Divine vehicles are available;
Mansions and palanquins too,
For the famous great king.
Well-built in the sky;
Āṭānāṭā, Kusināṭā, Parakusināṭā,
Nāṭasuriyā, Parakusiṭanāṭā.
And beyond that Janogha;
Navanavutiyo, Ambaraambaravatiyo,
A royal city named Āḷakamandā.
Therefore the great king Kuvera is called 'Vessavaṇa'.
Ojasi, Tejasi, Tatojasī, Sūra, Rājā, Ariṭṭha, Nemi.
From which the rains pour down, and there too is an assembly hall named Sālavatī.
Filled with various flocks of birds, resounding with peacocks and herons;
With cuckoos and other sweet-voiced birds.
Jungle fowl, crabs, in the forest pokkharasātaka birds.
That lotus pond of Kuvera shines beautifully at all times, always.
That direction which the glorious great king protects.
He delights in dancing and singing, honoured by the yakkhas.
Eighty, ten, and one, named after Inda, of great power.
From afar they pay homage to the great one, free from timidity.
With skill you observe, even non-humans pay homage to you;
We have heard this repeatedly, therefore thus we say.
Accomplished in true knowledge and conduct, we pay homage to the Buddha Gotama.'"
292.
"This, sir, is the Āṭānāṭiya protection for the protection, safety, non-violence, and comfortable dwelling of monks, nuns, male lay followers, and female lay followers.
For whoever, sir, whether monk or nun or male lay follower or female lay follower, this Āṭānāṭiya protection will be rightly taken, complete and thoroughly learnt, if a non-human spirit - whether a demon or demoness, etc.
or a gandhabba or female gandhabba, etc.
or a kumbhaṇḍa or female kumbhaṇḍa, etc.
or a serpent or female serpent or young male serpent or young female serpent or serpent minister or serpent attendant or serpent servant - with corrupted mind should follow a monk or nun or male lay follower or female lay follower who is walking, or should stand close to one who is standing, or should sit close to one who is sitting, or should lie down close to one who is lying down.
That non-human spirit, sir, would not obtain honour or respect in villages or towns.
That non-human spirit, sir, would not obtain a site or habitation in the royal city named Āḷakamandā.
That non-human spirit, sir, would not be able to go to the assembly of demons.
So much so, sir, that the non-human spirits would make him unfit for marriage, unfit to be given in marriage.
So much so, sir, that the non-human spirits would abuse him with complete abuses referring to his own nature.
So much so, sir, that the non-human spirits would turn an empty bowl upside down on his head.
So much so, sir, that the non-human spirits would split his head into seven pieces.
For there are, sir, non-human spirits who are fierce, hostile, and violent; they do not heed the Great Kings, nor do they heed the men of the Great Kings, nor do they heed the men of the men of the Great Kings.
Those non-human spirits, sir, are called rebels against the Great Kings.
Just as, sir, in the realm of the King of Magadha there are great thieves.
They do not heed the King of Magadha, nor do they heed the men of the King of Magadha, nor do they heed the men of the men of the King of Magadha.
Those great thieves, sir, are called rebels against the King of Magadha.
Just so, sir, there are non-human spirits who are fierce, hostile, and violent; they do not heed the Great Kings, nor do they heed the men of the Great Kings, nor do they heed the men of the men of the Great Kings.
Those non-human spirits, sir, are called rebels against the Great Kings.
Whoever, sir, is a non-human spirit - whether a demon or demoness, etc.
or a gandhabba or female gandhabba, etc.
or a kumbhaṇḍa or female kumbhaṇḍa, etc.
or a serpent or female serpent, etc.
with corrupted mind should approach a monk or nun or male lay follower or female lay follower who is walking, or should stand close to one who is standing, or should sit close to one who is sitting, or should lie down close to one who is lying down.
These demons, great demons, generals, and great generals should be informed, should be cried out to, should be called upon -
'This demon seizes, this demon possesses, this demon harasses, this demon vexes, this demon harms, this demon injures, this demon does not release.'
293.
"Which demons, great demons, generals, and great generals?
Candana and Kāmaseṭṭha, Kinnughaṇḍu and Nighaṇḍu.
And the gandhabba Cittasena, King Naḷa, Janesabha.
Sivaka and Mucalinda, Vessāmitta, Yugandhara.
Pañcālacaṇḍa, Āḷavaka, Pajjunna, Sumana, Sumukha;
Dadhimukha, Maṇi, Māṇivara, Dīgha, and also Serīsaka together.
"These demons, great demons, generals, and great generals should be informed, should be cried out to, should be called upon - 'This demon seizes, this demon possesses, this demon harasses, this demon vexes, this demon harms, this demon injures, this demon does not release.' This, sir, is the Āṭānāṭiya protection for the protection, safety, non-violence, and comfortable dwelling of monks, nuns, male lay followers, and female lay followers. Well then, sir, we will now go. We have much to do, we have many duties." "Now do as you think fit, great kings."
294.
"Then, monks, the four great kings, having risen from their seats, having paid respect to me, having circumambulated me keeping me on their right, disappeared right there.
Those demons too, monks, having risen from their seats, some having paid respect to me, having circumambulated me keeping me on their right, disappeared right there.
Some exchanged friendly greetings with me, and having concluded the pleasant and memorable talk, disappeared right there.
Some, having extended joined palms in salutation towards me, disappeared right there.
Some, having announced their name and clan, disappeared right there.
Some, remaining silent, disappeared right there.
295.
"Learn, monks, the Āṭānāṭiya protection.
Master thoroughly, monks, the Āṭānāṭiya protection.
Remember, monks, the Āṭānāṭiya protection.
Connected with benefit, monks, is the Āṭānāṭiya protection for the protection, safety, non-violence, and comfortable dwelling of monks, nuns, male lay followers, and female lay followers."
This is what the Blessed One said.
Those monks, delighted, rejoiced in what the Blessed One had said.
The Discourse on Āṭānāṭiya is concluded as ninth.