5.
The Discourse on Māra's Daughters
161.
Then Māra the Evil One, having spoken these verses of dejection in the presence of the Blessed One, having departed from that place, sat down cross-legged on the ground not far from the Blessed One, silent, downcast, with drooping shoulders, face cast down, brooding, bewildered, scratching the ground with a stick.
Then Craving and Discontent and Lust, the daughters of Māra, approached Māra the Evil One;
having approached, they addressed Māra the Evil One in verse -
We will bind him with the snare of lust, like a forest elephant;
Having bound him we will bring him, he will be under your control."
He has passed beyond the realm of Māra, therefore I grieve exceedingly."
Then Craving and Discontent and Lust, the daughters of Māra, approached the Blessed One; having approached, they said this to the Blessed One - "We will serve at your feet, ascetic." Then the Blessed One paid no attention, as one liberated in the unsurpassed extinction of clinging.
Then Craving and Discontent and Lust, the daughters of Māra, having withdrawn to one side, considered thus - "Various indeed are the intentions of men. What if we were each to create a hundred forms of young maidens." Then Craving and Discontent and Lust, the daughters of Māra, having each created a hundred forms of young maidens, approached the Blessed One; having approached, they said this to the Blessed One - "We will serve at your feet, ascetic." That too the Blessed One paid no attention to, as one liberated in the unsurpassed extinction of clinging.
Then Craving and Discontent and Lust, the daughters of Māra, having withdrawn to one side, considered thus - "Various indeed are the intentions of men. What if we were each to create a hundred forms of women who have not given birth." Then Craving and Discontent and Lust, the daughters of Māra, having each created a hundred forms of women who have not given birth, approached the Blessed One; having approached, they said this to the Blessed One - "We will serve at your feet, ascetic." That too the Blessed One paid no attention to, as one liberated in the unsurpassed extinction of clinging.
Then Craving and etc. What if we were each to create a hundred forms of women who have given birth once. Then Craving and etc. having created a hundred forms of women who have given birth once, approached the Blessed One; having approached, they said this to the Blessed One - "We will serve at your feet, ascetic." That too the Blessed One paid no attention to, as one liberated in the unsurpassed extinction of clinging.
Then Craving and etc. "What if we were to create one hundred each, a hundred forms of women who have given birth twice." Then Craving and etc. having created a hundred forms of women who have given birth twice, approached the Blessed One, etc. as one liberated in the unsurpassed extinction of clinging. Then Craving and etc. "What if we were to create a hundred forms of middle-aged women." Then Craving and etc. having created a hundred forms of middle-aged women, etc. liberated in the unsurpassed extinction of clinging.
Then Craving and etc. "What if we were to create a hundred forms of mature women." Then Craving and etc. having created a hundred forms of mature women, approached the Blessed One, etc. liberated in the unsurpassed extinction of clinging. Then Craving and Discontent and Lust, the daughters of Māra, having withdrawn to one side, said this - "Truly indeed our father spoke -
He has passed beyond the realm of Māra, therefore I grieve exceedingly."
"For if we were to approach any ascetic or brahmin who is not free from lust with this approach, either his heart would burst, or hot blood would gush from his mouth, or he would reach madness or derangement of the mind. Just as a green reed that is cut dries up, withers away, and wilts; so too would he dry up, wither away, and wilt."
Then Craving and Discontent and Lust, the daughters of Māra, approached the Blessed One; having approached, they stood to one side. Standing to one side, Craving, the daughter of Māra, 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?"
Having conquered the army of dear and pleasant forms;
Alone, meditating, I awakened to happiness,
Therefore I do not make friendship with people;
Friendship is not achieved by me with anyone."
Then Discontent, Māra's daughter, addressed the Blessed One in verse -
Having crossed the five mental floods, has crossed here the sixth;
Meditating in what way mostly, perceptions of sensuality,
Remain outside, not having obtained him?"
Not generating activities, mindful, without attachment;
Having understood the Teaching, a meditator without applied thought,
He is not agitated, does not yearn, is not slothful.
Having crossed the five mental floods, has crossed here the sixth;
Meditating in this way mostly, perceptions of sensuality,
Remain outside, not having obtained him?"
Then Lust, Māra's daughter, spoke this verse in the presence of the Blessed One -
Surely many with faith will follow.
Alas, this homeless one will snatch many people
And lead them away beyond the King of Death."
For those being led by the Teaching, what envy is there for those who understand?"
Then Craving and Discontent and Lust, Māra's daughters, approached Māra the Evil One. Māra the Evil One saw Craving and Discontent and Lust, Māra's daughters, coming from afar. Having seen them, he addressed them in verses -
You dig a rock with fingernails, you chew iron with teeth.
As if knocking your chest against a stump, depart disheartened, Gotamas."
The Teacher dispelled them there, as the wind dispels fallen cotton.