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- Samyutta Nikaya V.3
- Gotami Sutta
- Gotami
- Translated from the Pali by Bhikkhu Bodhi
- For free distribution only,
by arrangement with the Buddhist Publication Society
Setting at Savatthi. Then, in the morning, the bhikkhuni Kisagotami dressed and, taking
bowl and robe, entered Savatthi for alms. When she had walked for alms in Savatthi and had
returned from her alms round, [130] after her meal she went to the Blind Men's Grove for
the day's abiding. Having plunged into the Blind Men's Grove, she sat down at the foot of
a tree for the day's abiding.
Then Mara the Evil One, desiring to arouse fear, trepidation, and terror in the
bhikkhuni Kisagotami, desiring to make her fall away from concentration, approached her
and addressed her in verse:
"Why now, when your son is dead,
Do you sit alone with tearful face?
Having entered the woods all alone,
Are you on the lookout for a man?"
Then it occurred to the bhikkhuni Kisagotami: "Now who is this that recited the
verse -- a human being or a non-human being?" Then it occurred to her: "This is
Mara the Evil One, who has recited the verse desiring to arouse fear, trepidation, and
terror in me, desiring to make me fall away from concentration."
Then the bhikkhuni Kisagotami, having understood, "This is Mara the Evil
One," replied to him in verses:
"I've gotten past the death of sons;
With this, the search for men has ended.
I do not sorrow, I do not weep,
Nor do I fear you, friend.
Delight everywhere has been destroyed,
The mass of darkness has been sundered.
Having conquered the army of Death,
I dwell without defiling taints."
Then Mara the Evil One, realizing, "The bhikkhuni Kisagotami knows me," sad
and disappointed, disappeared right there.