4.
The Discourse on the Demon's Blow
34.
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 Sāriputta and the Venerable Mahāmoggallāna were dwelling at Pigeon Grotto.
Now at that time the Venerable Sāriputta, on a moonlit night, with freshly shaven hair, was seated in the open air, having attained a certain concentration.
Now at that time two demons who were friends were going from the northern direction to the southern direction on some business. Those demons saw the Venerable Sāriputta, on a moonlit night, with freshly shaven hair, seated in the open air. Having seen him, one demon said this to the second demon - "It occurs to me, my dear, to give a blow on this ascetic's head." When this was said, that demon said this to that demon - "Enough, my dear, do not assail the ascetic. That ascetic, my dear, is eminent, of great supernormal power, of great might."
For the second time that demon said this to that demon - "It occurs to me, my dear, to give a blow on this ascetic's head." For the second time that demon said this to that demon - "Enough, my dear, do not assail the ascetic. That ascetic, my dear, is eminent, of great supernormal power, of great might." For the third time that demon said this to that demon - "It occurs to me, my dear, to give a blow on this ascetic's head." For the third time that demon said this to that demon - "Enough, my dear, do not assail the ascetic. That ascetic, my dear, is eminent, of great supernormal power, of great might."
Then that demon, not heeding that demon, gave a blow on the head of the Venerable Sāriputta the Elder. So great was the blow that with that blow one could sink an elephant seven or seven and a half cubits tall, or split apart a great mountain peak. And yet that demon, having said "I am burning, I am burning!", fell right there into the great hell.
The Venerable Mahāmoggallāna saw with the divine eye, which is pure and surpasses the human, the blow being given by that demon on the head of the Venerable Sāriputta the Elder. Having seen, he approached the Venerable Sāriputta; having approached, he said this to the Venerable Sāriputta - "Is it bearable for you, friend, is it endurable, is there no suffering?" "It is bearable for me, friend Moggallāna, it is endurable for me, friend Moggallāna; but my head is a little painful."
"It is wonderful, friend Sāriputta, it is marvellous, friend Sāriputta! How great in supernormal power is the Venerable Sāriputta, of great might! Here, friend Sāriputta, a certain demon gave a blow on your head. So great was the blow that with that blow one could sink a seven-cubit or seven-and-a-half-cubit elephant, or could split a great mountain peak, and yet the Venerable Sāriputta says thus - 'It is bearable for me, friend Moggallāna, it is endurable for me, friend Moggallāna; but my head is a little painful.'"
"It is wonderful, friend Moggallāna, it is marvellous, friend Moggallāna! How great in supernormal power is the Venerable Mahāmoggallāna, of great might, in that he will even see a demon! But we at present do not even see a dust-goblin."
The Blessed One heard with the divine ear element, purified and surpassing the human, this friendly conversation of those two great elephants.
Then the Blessed One, having understood this matter, at that time uttered this inspired utterance -
Dispassionate towards enticing things, not irritated by what provokes irritation;
For whom the mind is thus developed, from where will suffering come to him?" The fourth.