The Sun

Linked Discourses 2.10

Chapter One

The Sun

At Sāvatthī.

Now at that time the Sun God had been seized by Rāhu, lord of titans.

Then the Sun God, recollecting the Buddha, at that time spoke this verse:

“Homage to you, Buddha, hero!

You’re free in every way.

I’ve wandered into confinement:

be my refuge!”

Then the Buddha addressed Rāhu in verse concerning the Sun God:

“The Sun God has gone for refuge

to the Realized One, the perfected one.

The Buddhas have compassion for the world—

so Rāhu, release the Sun!

He is a beacon in the darkness,

the dazzling sun, circle of awesome might.

Rāhu, do not swallow him as he traverses the sky.

Rāhu, release my offspring, the Sun!”

Then Rāhu, having released the Sun, rushed to see Vepacitti, lord of titans and stood to one side, shocked and awestruck.

Vepacitti addressed him in verse:

“Why the rush?

Rāhu, you released the Sun

and came here looking like you’re in shock:

why do you stand there so scared?”

“My head would have exploded in seven pieces,

I would have found no joy in life,

if, when enchanted by the Buddha’s verse,

I had not released the Sun.”