3.
The Discourse on Godhika
159.
Thus have I heard -
On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Rājagaha in the Bamboo Grove, the Squirrels' Feeding Ground.
Now at that time the Venerable Godhika was dwelling at the Black Rock on the slope of Isigili.
Then the Venerable Godhika, dwelling diligent, ardent, and resolute, attained the temporary liberation of mind.
Then the Venerable Godhika fell away from that temporary liberation of mind.
For the second time, the Venerable Godhika, dwelling diligent, ardent, and resolute, attained the temporary liberation of mind.
For the second time, the Venerable Godhika fell away from that temporary liberation of mind.
For the third time, the Venerable Godhika, dwelling diligent, ardent, and resolute, attained the temporary liberation of mind.
For the third time, the Venerable Godhika from that etc.
fell away.
For the fourth time, the Venerable Godhika, diligent etc.
attained liberation.
For the fourth time, the Venerable Godhika from that etc.
fell away.
For the fifth time, the Venerable Godhika etc.
attained the liberation of mind.
For the fifth time, the Venerable etc.
fell away from liberation.
For the sixth time, the Venerable Godhika, dwelling diligent, ardent, and resolute, attained the temporary liberation of mind.
For the sixth time, the Venerable Godhika fell away from that temporary liberation of mind.
For the seventh time, the Venerable Godhika, dwelling diligent, ardent, and resolute, attained the temporary liberation of mind.
Then this occurred to the Venerable Godhika - "Up to six times I have fallen away from the temporary liberation of mind. What if I were to bring the knife?" Then Māra the Evil One, having known with his mind the reflection in the mind of the Venerable Godhika, approached the Blessed One; having approached, he addressed the Blessed One in verses -
Gone beyond all enmity and fear, I pay homage at your feet, O One with Vision.
He wishes, he intends; hold him back, O radiant one.
A trainee who has not attained his goal, die while renowned among people?"
Now at that time the Venerable Godhika had brought the knife. Then the Blessed One, having understood "this is Māra the Evil One", addressed Māra the Evil One in verse -
Having uprooted craving with its root, Godhika has attained final Nibbāna."
Then the Blessed One addressed the monks: "Come, monks, let us approach the Black Rock on the slope of Isigili where the son of good family Godhika has brought the knife." "Yes, venerable sir," those monks assented to the Blessed One.
Then the Blessed One together with several monks approached the Black Rock on the slope of Isigili. The Blessed One saw the Venerable Godhika from afar lying on a small bed with his body turned over. Now at that time an obscuration, a darkness, was going to the eastern direction, going to the western direction, going to the northern direction, going to the southern direction, going above, going below, going to the intermediate directions.
Then the Blessed One addressed the monks: "Do you see, monks, that obscuration, that darkness, going to the eastern direction, going to the western direction, going to the northern direction, going to the southern direction, going above, going below, going to the intermediate directions?" "Yes, venerable sir." "This, monks, is Māra the Evil One searching for the consciousness of the son of good family Godhika: 'Where is the consciousness of the son of good family Godhika established?' But, monks, with consciousness unestablished, the son of good family Godhika has attained final Nibbāna." Then Māra the Evil One, having taken a yellow beluva-wood lute, approached the Blessed One; having approached, he addressed the Blessed One in verse -
Searching, do not find him; where has that Godhika gone?"
Practising day and night, not wishing for life.
Having uprooted craving with its root, Godhika has attained final Nibbāna."
Then that unhappy demon disappeared right there."