The Moon (SN2.9)

Linked Discourses 2.9

Chapter One

The Moon

At Sāvatthī.¹

Now at that time the Moon God had been seized by Rāhu, lord of titans.²

Then the Moon God, recollecting the Buddha, at that time spoke this verse:³

“Homage to you, Buddha, hero!

You’re free in every way.

I’ve wandered into confinement:⁴

be my refuge!”⁵

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

“The Moon God has gone for refuge

to the Realized One, the perfected one.

The Buddhas have compassion for the world—

so Rāhu, release the Moon!”

Then Rāhu, having released the Moon, rushed to see Vepacitti, lord of titans and stood to one side, shocked and awestruck.⁶

Vepacitti addressed him in verse:

“Why the rush?

Rāhu, you released the Moon

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 happiness in life,

if, when enchanted by the Buddha’s verse,⁷

I had not released the Moon.”