Sūriya Sutta (SN 2.10) – The Discourse on Sūriya

10. The Discourse on Sūriya

91. More Details At Sāvatthī. Now at that time the sun, the young god, had been seized by Rāhu, the lord of titans. Then the sun, the young god, recollecting the Blessed One, at that time spoke this verse -

"Homage to you, Buddha, hero, you are free everywhere;

I have fallen into confinement, be my refuge."

Then the Blessed One, concerning the sun, the young god, addressed Rāhu, the lord of titans, in verses -

"The sun has gone for refuge to the Truth-finder, the Worthy One;

Rāhu, release the sun, Buddhas have compassion for the world.

"He who in the darkness, in the gloom, is the light-bringer,

Verocana, the orbed one, of risen radiance;

Do not, Rāhu, swallow him moving in the sky,

Rāhu, release the sun, my offspring."

Then Rāhu, the lord of titans, having released the sun, the young god, being in a hurry, approached Vepacitti, the lord of titans; having approached, agitated, with hair standing on end, he stood to one side. To Rāhu, the lord of titans, standing to one side, Vepacitti, the lord of titans, addressed in verse -

"Why, as if in a hurry, Rāhu, did you release the sun;

Having come in an agitated state, why do you stand as if frightened?"

"My head would split into seven pieces, while living I would find no happiness;

I have been addressed by a verse of the Buddha, if I had not released the sun."