Tikanipāta

Itivuttaka 82

So It Was Said 82

Tikanipāta

The Book of the Threes

Catutthavagga

Chapter Four

Devasaddasutta

The Cry of the Gods

Vuttañhetaṁ bhagavatā vuttamarahatāti me sutaṁ:

This was said by the Buddha, the Perfected One: that is what I heard.

“Tayome, bhikkhave, devesu devasaddā niccharanti samayā samayaṁ upādāya.

“Mendicants, these three cries are uttered among the gods on occasion.

Katame tayo?

What three?

Yasmiṁ, bhikkhave, samaye ariyasāvako kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajjāya ceteti, tasmiṁ samaye devesu devasaddo niccharati:

When a noble disciple shaves off their hair and beard, dresses in ocher robes, and goes forth from the lay life to homelessness, the gods cry out:

‘eso ariyasāvako mārena saddhiṁ saṅgāmāya cetetī’ti.

‘This noble disciple intends to join battle with Māra!’

Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, paṭhamo devesu devasaddo niccharati samayā samayaṁ upādāya.

This is the first occasion a cry is uttered among the gods.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, yasmiṁ samaye ariyasāvako sattannaṁ bodhipakkhiyānaṁ dhammānaṁ bhāvanānuyogamanuyutto viharati, tasmiṁ samaye devesu devasaddo niccharati:

Furthermore, when a noble disciple meditates pursuing the development of the seven qualities on the side of awakening, the gods cry out:

‘eso ariyasāvako mārena saddhiṁ saṅgāmetī’ti.

‘This noble disciple is joining battle with Māra!’

Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, dutiyo devesu devasaddo niccharati samayā samayaṁ upādāya.

This is the second occasion a cry is uttered among the gods.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, yasmiṁ samaye ariyasāvako āsavānaṁ khayā anāsavaṁ cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ diṭṭheva dhamme sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharati, tasmiṁ samaye devesu devasaddo niccharati:

Furthermore, when a noble disciple realizes the undefiled freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom in this very life, and they live having realized it with their own insight due to the ending of defilements, the gods cry out:

‘eso ariyasāvako vijitasaṅgāmo tameva saṅgāmasīsaṁ abhivijiya ajjhāvasatī’ti.

‘This noble disciple has won victory in battle, establishing himself as foremost in battle!’

Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, tatiyo devesu devasaddo niccharati samayā samayaṁ upādāya.

This is the third occasion a cry is uttered among the gods.

Ime kho, bhikkhave, tayo devesu devasaddā niccharanti samayā samayaṁ upādāyā”ti.

These are the three cries that are uttered among the gods on occasion.”

Etamatthaṁ bhagavā avoca.

The Buddha spoke this matter.

Tatthetaṁ iti vuccati:

On this it is said:

“Disvā vijitasaṅgāmaṁ,

“Seeing the winner of the battle—

sammāsambuddhasāvakaṁ;

a disciple of the Buddha,

Devatāpi namassanti,

great of heart, intrepid—

mahantaṁ vītasāradaṁ.

even the deities revere them:

Namo te purisājañña,

‘Homage to you, O thoroughbred!

yo tvaṁ dujjayamajjhabhū;

You won a battle hard to win!

Jetvāna maccuno senaṁ,

Having defeated the army of death,

vimokkhena anāvaraṁ.

your liberation is unhindered.’

Iti hetaṁ namassanti,

And so the deities revere the one,

devatā pattamānasaṁ;

who has achieved their heart’s desire.

Tañhi tassa na passanti,

For they see nothing in them by means of which

yena maccuvasaṁ vaje”ti.

they might fall under the sway of Death.”

Ayampi attho vutto bhagavatā, iti me sutanti.

This too is a matter that was spoken by the Blessed One: that is what I heard.

Tatiyaṁ.