15: Suriyaparittaṁ
The Sun’s Safeguard



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Introductory Verse

Suriyo Rāhugahito, mutto yassānubhāvato,
The Sun, who was seized by Rāhu, was released by that (safeguard’s) power,

sabbaveribhayaṁ nāsaṁ parittaṁ taṁ bhaṇāmahe.
the destruction of fear of all foes we will recite that safeguard.

The Safeguard

Evaṁ me sutaṁ:
Thus I have heard:

ekaṁ samayaṁ Bhagavā Sāvatthiyaṁ viharati
at one time the Fortunate One was dwelling near Sāvatthī

Jetavane Anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme.
at Anāthapiṇḍika’s grounds in Jeta’s Wood.

Tena kho pana samayena Suriyo devaputto
Then at that time the Sun god

Rāhunā asurindena gahito hoti.
was seized by the asura lord Rāhu.

Atha kho Suriyo devaputto Bhagavantaṁ anussaramāno,
Then the Sun god, recollecting the Fortunate One,

tāyaṁ velāyaṁ imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi:
on that occasion recited this verse:

 

“Namo te Buddhavīratthu, vippamuttosi sabbadhi! PPV: sabbadhī.
“Reverence to you, Buddha-hero, you who are free in every way!

Sambādhapaṭipannosmi tassa me saraṇaṁ bhavā” ti. [01]
I am being obstructed therefore please be a refuge to me.”

 

Atha kho Bhagavā Suriyaṁ devaputtaṁ ārabbha
Then, with reference to the Sun god, the Fortunate One

Rāhuṁ asurindaṁ gāthāya ajjhabhāsi:
addressed the asura lord Rāhu with a verse:

 

“Tathāgataṁ Arahantaṁ, Suriyo saraṇaṁ gato,
“To the Realised One, the Worthy One, the Sun has gone for refuge,

Rāhu Suriyaṁ pamuñcassu! Buddhā lokānukampakā. MPP,PPV, PPV2: lokānukampakā-ti. [02]
you must release the Sun, Rāhu! (For) the Buddhas pity the world.

 

Yo andhakāre tamasī pabhaṅkaro,
He who, in complete darkness, is a light-maker,

verocano maṇḍalī uggatejo,
who is brilliant, a great circle of fire,

mā Rāhu gilī caraṁ antalikkhe!
do not devour he who roams the sky, Rāhu!

Pajaṁ mama Rāhu pamuñca Suriyan!”-ti, [03]
Release the Sun, who is my kinsman, Rāhu!”

 

Atha kho Rāhu asurindo Suriyaṁ devaputtaṁ muñcitvā,
Then the asura lord Rāhu, having released the Sun god,

taramānarūpo yena Vepacitti asurindo tenupasaṅkami,
hurriedly approached the asura lord Vepacitti,

upasaṅkamitvā saṁviggo lomahaṭṭhajāto, ekam-antaṁ aṭṭhāsi.
and after approaching, anxious, and horrified, he stood on one side.

Ekam-antaṁ ṭhitaṁ kho Rāhuṁ asurindaṁ Vepacitti asurindo gāthāya ajjhabhāsi:
While he was standing on one side the asura lord Vepacitti recited this verse to the asura lord Rāhu:

 

“Kin-nu santaramāno va Rāhu Suriyaṁ pamuñcasi?
“Why did you so hurriedly release the Sun god, Rāhu?

Saṁviggarūpo āgamma kin-nu bhīto va tiṭṭhasī?” ti [04].
After coming (here) why do you stand (there) like someone anxious and frightened?”

 

“Sattadhā me phale muddhā, jīvanto na sukhaṁ labhe,
“My head will split into seven, while living I will have no happiness,

- Buddhagāthābhigītomhi - no ce muñceyya Suriyan”-ti. [05]
- I am one to whom the Buddha has chanted a verse - if I do not release the Sun.”