---
title: "Linked Discourses I: With Verses · Saṁyutta Nikāya · Sagāthāvagga"
author: "The Buddha"
translator: "Bhikkhu Sujato"
languages: [pi, en]
shelf: "Pali Canon"
section: 20 of 31
url: https://scriptura.si/works/pali-samyutta-nikaya-1/20/
cite: "The Buddha, tr. Bhikkhu Sujato, Linked Discourses I: With Verses · Saṁyutta Nikāya · Sagāthāvagga, section 20. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/pali-samyutta-nikaya-1/20/"
---

# Linked Discourses I: With Verses · Saṁyutta Nikāya · Sagāthāvagga

*The Buddha, tr. Bhikkhu Sujato*

The first book of the Linked Discourses: dialogues in verse with gods, Māra, nuns, brahmins and kings.

> Pali: the Mahāsaṅgīti Tipiṭaka (Buddha Jayanti edition, 2500), from SuttaCentral’s bilara-data, dedicated to the public domain (CC0).

> English: Bhikkhu Sujato, from SuttaCentral’s bilara-data, dedicated to the public domain (CC0). Notes are not included.

> Rows follow the segment numbers the two texts share, gathered into paragraphs; verse keeps its lines.

## 20. Nuns · SN 5.1–5.10

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/pali-samyutta-nikaya-1/20/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/pali-samyutta-nikaya-1/20/#p-N

[¶0] SN 5.1 · With Āḷavikā

> Pali: SN 5.1 · Āḷavikāsutta

[¶1] So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery.

> Pali: Evaṁ me sutaṁ— ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme.

[¶2] Then the nun Āḷavikā robed up in the morning and, taking her bowl and robe, entered Sāvatthī for alms. She wandered for alms in Sāvatthī. After the meal, on her return from almsround, she went to the Dark Forest seeking seclusion.

> Pali: Atha kho āḷavikā bhikkhunī pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya sāvatthiṁ piṇḍāya pāvisi. Sāvatthiyaṁ piṇḍāya caritvā pacchābhattaṁ piṇḍapātapaṭikkantā yena andhavanaṁ tenupasaṅkami vivekatthinī.

[¶3] Then Māra the Wicked, wanting to make the nun Āḷavikā feel fear, terror, and goosebumps, wanting to make her fall away from seclusion, went up to her and addressed her in verse:

> Pali: Atha kho māro pāpimā āḷavikāya bhikkhuniyā bhayaṁ chambhitattaṁ lomahaṁsaṁ uppādetukāmo vivekamhā cāvetukāmo yena āḷavikā bhikkhunī tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā āḷavikaṁ bhikkhuniṁ gāthāya ajjhabhāsi:

[¶4] “There’s no escape in the world,
so what will seclusion do for you?
Enjoy erotic delights;
don’t regret it later.”

> Pali: “Natthi nissaraṇaṁ loke,
kiṁ vivekena kāhasi;
Bhuñjassu kāmaratiyo,
māhu pacchānutāpinī”ti.

[¶5] Then the nun Āḷavikā thought, “Who’s speaking this verse, a human or a non-human?”

> Pali: Atha kho āḷavikāya bhikkhuniyā etadahosi: “ko nu khvāyaṁ manusso vā amanusso vā gāthaṁ bhāsatī”ti?

[¶6] Then she thought, “This is Māra the Wicked, wanting to make me feel fear, terror, and goosebumps, wanting to make me fall away from seclusion!”

> Pali: Atha kho āḷavikāya bhikkhuniyā etadahosi: “māro kho ayaṁ pāpimā mama bhayaṁ chambhitattaṁ lomahaṁsaṁ uppādetukāmo vivekamhā cāvetukāmo gāthaṁ bhāsatī”ti.

[¶7] Then Āḷavikā, knowing that this was Māra the Wicked, replied to him in verse:

> Pali: Atha kho āḷavikā bhikkhunī “māro ayaṁ pāpimā” iti viditvā māraṁ pāpimantaṁ gāthāhi paccabhāsi:

[¶8] “There is an escape in the world,
and I’ve personally experienced it with wisdom.
O Wicked One, kinsman of the negligent,
you don’t know that state.

> Pali: “Atthi nissaraṇaṁ loke,
paññāya me suphussitaṁ;
Pamattabandhu pāpima,
na tvaṁ jānāsi taṁ padaṁ.

[¶9] Sensual pleasures are like swords and spears;
the aggregates are their chopping block.
What you call erotic delight
is now no delight for me.”

> Pali: Sattisūlūpamā kāmā,
khandhāsaṁ adhikuṭṭanā;
Yaṁ tvaṁ kāmaratiṁ brūsi,
arati mayha sā ahū”ti.

[¶10] Then Māra the Wicked, thinking, “The nun Āḷavikā knows me!” miserable and sad, vanished right there.

> Pali: Atha kho māro pāpimā “jānāti maṁ āḷavikā bhikkhunī”ti dukkhī dummano tatthevantaradhāyīti.

[¶11] SN 5.2 · With Somā

> Pali: SN 5.2 · Somāsutta

[¶12] At Sāvatthī.

> Pali: Sāvatthinidānaṁ.

[¶13] Then the nun Somā robed up in the morning and, taking her bowl and robe, entered Sāvatthī for alms. She wandered for alms in Sāvatthī. After the meal, on her return from almsround, she went to the Dark Forest for the day’s meditation, plunged deep into it, and sat at the root of a tree to meditate.

> Pali: Atha kho somā bhikkhunī pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya sāvatthiṁ piṇḍāya pāvisi. Sāvatthiyaṁ piṇḍāya caritvā pacchābhattaṁ piṇḍapātapaṭikkantā yena andhavanaṁ tenupasaṅkami divāvihārāya. Andhavanaṁ ajjhogāhetvā aññatarasmiṁ rukkhamūle divāvihāraṁ nisīdi.

[¶14] Then Māra the Wicked, wanting to make the nun Somā feel fear, terror, and goosebumps, wanting to make her fall away from immersion, went up to her and addressed her in verse:

> Pali: Atha kho māro pāpimā somāya bhikkhuniyā bhayaṁ chambhitattaṁ lomahaṁsaṁ uppādetukāmo samādhimhā cāvetukāmo yena somā bhikkhunī tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā somaṁ bhikkhuniṁ gāthāya ajjhabhāsi:

[¶15] “That state’s very challenging;
it’s for the sages to attain.
With her two-inch wisdom,
it’s not possible for a woman.”

> Pali: “Yaṁ taṁ isīhi pattabbaṁ,
ṭhānaṁ durabhisambhavaṁ;
Na taṁ dvaṅgulapaññāya,
sakkā pappotumitthiyā”ti.

[¶16] Then the nun Somā thought, “Who’s speaking this verse, a human or a non-human?”

> Pali: Atha kho somāya bhikkhuniyā etadahosi: “ko nu khvāyaṁ manusso vā amanusso vā gāthaṁ bhāsatī”ti?

[¶17] Then she thought, “This is Māra the Wicked, wanting to make me feel fear, terror, and goosebumps, wanting to make me fall away from immersion!”

> Pali: Atha kho somāya bhikkhuniyā etadahosi: “māro kho ayaṁ pāpimā mama bhayaṁ chambhitattaṁ lomahaṁsaṁ uppādetukāmo samādhimhā cāvetukāmo gāthaṁ bhāsatī”ti.

[¶18] Then Somā, knowing that this was Māra the Wicked, replied to him in verse:

> Pali: Atha kho somā bhikkhunī “māro ayaṁ pāpimā” iti viditvā māraṁ pāpimantaṁ gāthāhi paccabhāsi:

[¶19] “What difference does womanhood make
when the mind is serene,
and knowledge is present
as you rightly discern the Dhamma.

> Pali: “Itthibhāvo kiṁ kayirā,
cittamhi susamāhite;
Ñāṇamhi vattamānamhi,
sammā dhammaṁ vipassato.

[¶20] Surely someone who might think:
‘I am woman’, or ‘I am man’,
or ‘I am’ anything at all,
is fit for Māra to address.”

> Pali: Yassa nūna siyā evaṁ,
Itthāhaṁ purisoti vā;
Kiñci vā pana aññasmi,
Taṁ māro vattumarahatī”ti.

[¶21] Then Māra the Wicked, thinking, “The nun Somā knows me!” miserable and sad, vanished right there.

> Pali: Atha kho māro pāpimā “jānāti maṁ somā bhikkhunī”ti dukkhī dummano tatthevantaradhāyīti.

[¶22] SN 5.3 · With Kisāgotamī

> Pali: SN 5.3 · Kisāgotamīsutta

[¶23] At Sāvatthī.

> Pali: Sāvatthinidānaṁ.

[¶24] Then the nun Kisāgotamī robed up in the morning and, taking her bowl and robe, entered Sāvatthī for alms. She wandered for alms in Sāvatthī. After the meal, on her return from almsround, she went to the Dark Forest for the day’s meditation, plunged deep into it, and sat at the root of a tree to meditate.

> Pali: Atha kho kisāgotamī bhikkhunī pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya sāvatthiṁ piṇḍāya pāvisi. Sāvatthiyaṁ piṇḍāya caritvā pacchābhattaṁ piṇḍapātapaṭikkantā yena andhavanaṁ tenupasaṅkami, upasaṅkamitvā divāvihārāya. Andhavanaṁ ajjhogāhetvā aññatarasmiṁ rukkhamūle divāvihāraṁ nisīdi.

[¶25] Then Māra the Wicked, wanting to make the nun Kisāgotamī feel fear, terror, and goosebumps, wanting to make her fall away from immersion, went up to her and addressed her in verse:

> Pali: Atha kho māro pāpimā kisāgotamiyā bhikkhuniyā bhayaṁ chambhitattaṁ lomahaṁsaṁ uppādetukāmo samādhimhā cāvetukāmo yena kisāgotamī bhikkhunī tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā kisāgotamiṁ bhikkhuniṁ gāthāya ajjhabhāsi:

[¶26] “Why do you sit alone and cry
as if your children have died?
You’ve come to the woods all alone—
are you looking for a man?”

> Pali: “Kiṁ nu tvaṁ mataputtāva,
ekamāsi rudammukhī;
Vanamajjhagatā ekā,
purisaṁ nu gavesasī”ti.

[¶27] Then the nun Kisāgotamī thought, “Who’s speaking this verse, a human or a non-human?”

> Pali: Atha kho kisāgotamiyā bhikkhuniyā etadahosi: “ko nu khvāyaṁ manusso vā amanusso vā gāthaṁ bhāsatī”ti?

[¶28] Then she thought, “This is Māra the Wicked, wanting to make me feel fear, terror, and goosebumps, wanting to make me fall away from immersion!”

> Pali: Atha kho kisāgotamiyā bhikkhuniyā etadahosi: “māro kho ayaṁ pāpimā mama bhayaṁ chambhitattaṁ lomahaṁsaṁ uppādetukāmo samādhimhā cāvetukāmo gāthaṁ bhāsatī”ti.

[¶29] Then Kisāgotamī, knowing that this was Māra the Wicked, replied to him in verse:

> Pali: Atha kho kisāgotamī bhikkhunī “māro ayaṁ pāpimā” iti viditvā māraṁ pāpimantaṁ gāthāhi paccabhāsi:

[¶30] “I’ve got over the death of children,
and I’m finished with men.
I don’t grieve or lament,
and I’m not afraid of you, sir!

> Pali: “Accantaṁ mataputtāmhi,
purisā etadantikā;
Na socāmi na rodāmi,
na taṁ bhāyāmi āvuso.

[¶31] Relishing is banished in every respect,
and the mass of darkness is shattered.
I’ve defeated the army of death,
and live without defilements.”

> Pali: Sabbattha vihatā nandī,
tamokkhandho padālito;
Jetvāna maccuno senaṁ,
viharāmi anāsavā”ti.

[¶32] Then Māra the Wicked, thinking, “The nun Kisāgotamī knows me!” miserable and sad, vanished right there.

> Pali: Atha kho māro pāpimā “jānāti maṁ kisāgotamī bhikkhunī”ti dukkhī dummano tatthevantaradhāyīti.

[¶33] SN 5.4 · With Vijayā

> Pali: SN 5.4 · Vijayāsutta

[¶34] At Sāvatthī.

> Pali: Sāvatthinidānaṁ.

[¶35] Then the nun Vijayā robed up in the morning … and sat at the root of a tree for the day’s meditation.

> Pali: Atha kho vijayā bhikkhunī pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā …pe… aññatarasmiṁ rukkhamūle divāvihāraṁ nisīdi.

[¶36] Then Māra the Wicked, wanting to make the nun Vijayā feel fear, terror, and goosebumps, wanting to make her fall away from immersion, went up to her and addressed her in verse:

> Pali: Atha kho māro pāpimā vijayāya bhikkhuniyā bhayaṁ chambhitattaṁ lomahaṁsaṁ uppādetukāmo samādhimhā cāvetukāmo yena vijayā bhikkhunī tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā vijayaṁ bhikkhuniṁ gāthāya ajjhabhāsi:

[¶37] “You’re so young and beautiful,
and I’m a youth in my prime.
Come, my lady, let us enjoy
the music of a five-piece band.”

> Pali: “Daharā tvaṁ rūpavatī,
ahañca daharo susu;
Pañcaṅgikena turiyena,
ehayyebhiramāmase”ti.

[¶38] Then the nun Vijayā thought, “Who’s speaking this verse, a human or a non-human?”

> Pali: Atha kho vijayāya bhikkhuniyā etadahosi: “ko nu khvāyaṁ manusso vā amanusso vā gāthaṁ bhāsatī”ti?

[¶39] Then she thought, “This is Māra the Wicked, wanting to make me feel fear, terror, and goosebumps, wanting to make me fall away from immersion!”

> Pali: Atha kho vijayāya bhikkhuniyā etadahosi: “māro kho ayaṁ pāpimā mama bhayaṁ chambhitattaṁ lomahaṁsaṁ uppādetukāmo samādhimhā cāvetukāmo gāthaṁ bhāsatī”ti.

[¶40] Then Vijayā, knowing that this was Māra the Wicked, replied to him in verse:

> Pali: Atha kho vijayā bhikkhunī “māro ayaṁ pāpimā” iti viditvā māraṁ pāpimantaṁ gāthāhi paccabhāsi:

[¶41] “Sights, sounds, tastes, smells,
and touches so delightful.
I hand them right back to you, Māra,
for I have no use for them.

> Pali: “Rūpā saddā rasā gandhā,
phoṭṭhabbā ca manoramā;
Niyyātayāmi tuyheva,
māra nāhaṁ tenatthikā.

[¶42] This body is rotting,
decaying and frail.
I’m horrified and repelled by it,
and I’ve eradicated sensual craving.

> Pali: Iminā pūtikāyena,
bhindanena pabhaṅgunā;
Aṭṭīyāmi harāyāmi,
kāmataṇhā samūhatā.

[¶43] There are beings in the realm of luminous form,
and others stuck in the formless.
I’ve destroyed the darkness
regarding all such peaceful attainments.”

> Pali: Ye ca rūpūpagā sattā,
ye ca arūpaṭṭhāyino;
Yā ca santā samāpatti,
sabbattha vihato tamo”ti.

[¶44] Then Māra the Wicked, thinking, “The nun Vijayā knows me!” miserable and sad, vanished right there.

> Pali: Atha kho māro pāpimā “jānāti maṁ vijayā bhikkhunī”ti dukkhī dummano tatthevantaradhāyīti.

[¶45] SN 5.5 · With Uppalavaṇṇā

> Pali: SN 5.5 · Uppalavaṇṇāsutta

[¶46] At Sāvatthī.

> Pali: Sāvatthinidānaṁ.

[¶47] Then the nun Uppalavaṇṇā robed up in the morning … and stood at the root of a sal tree in full flower.

> Pali: Atha kho uppalavaṇṇā bhikkhunī pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā …pe… aññatarasmiṁ supupphitasālarukkhamūle aṭṭhāsi.

[¶48] Then Māra the Wicked, wanting to make the nun Uppalavaṇṇā feel fear, terror, and goosebumps, wanting to make her fall away from immersion, went up to her and addressed her in verse:

> Pali: Atha kho māro pāpimā uppalavaṇṇāya bhikkhuniyā bhayaṁ chambhitattaṁ lomahaṁsaṁ uppādetukāmo samādhimhā cāvetukāmo yena uppalavaṇṇā bhikkhunī tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā uppalavaṇṇaṁ bhikkhuniṁ gāthāya ajjhabhāsi:

[¶49] “You’ve come to this sal tree all crowned with flowers,
and stand at its root all alone, O nun.
Your beauty is second to none—
silly girl, aren’t you afraid of rascals?”

> Pali: “Supupphitaggaṁ upagamma bhikkhuni,
Ekā tuvaṁ tiṭṭhasi sālamūle;
Na catthi te dutiyā vaṇṇadhātu,
Bāle na tvaṁ bhāyasi dhuttakānan”ti.

[¶50] Then the nun Uppalavaṇṇā thought, “Who’s speaking this verse, a human or a non-human?”

> Pali: Atha kho uppalavaṇṇāya bhikkhuniyā etadahosi: “ko nu khvāyaṁ manusso vā amanusso vā gāthaṁ bhāsatī”ti?

[¶51] Then she thought, “This is Māra the Wicked, wanting to make me feel fear, terror, and goosebumps, wanting to make me fall away from immersion!”

> Pali: Atha kho uppalavaṇṇāya bhikkhuniyā etadahosi: “māro kho ayaṁ pāpimā mama bhayaṁ chambhitattaṁ lomahaṁsaṁ uppādetukāmo samādhimhā cāvetukāmo gāthaṁ bhāsatī”ti.

[¶52] Then Uppalavaṇṇā, knowing that this was Māra the Wicked, replied to him in verse:

> Pali: Atha kho uppalavaṇṇā bhikkhunī “māro ayaṁ pāpimā” iti viditvā māraṁ pāpimantaṁ gāthāhi paccabhāsi:

[¶53] “Even if 100,000 rascals like you
were to come here,
I’d stir not a hair nor panic.
I’m not scared of you, Māra, even alone.

> Pali: “Sataṁ sahassānipi dhuttakānaṁ,
Idhāgatā tādisakā bhaveyyuṁ;
Lomaṁ na iñjāmi na santasāmi,
Na māra bhāyāmi tamekikāpi.

[¶54] I’ll vanish,
or I’ll enter your belly;
I could stand between your eyebrows
and you still wouldn’t see me.

> Pali: Esā antaradhāyāmi,
kucchiṁ vā pavisāmi te;
Pakhumantarikāyampi,
tiṭṭhantiṁ maṁ na dakkhasi.

[¶55] I’m the master of my own mind,
I’ve developed the bases of psychic power well.
I’m free from all bonds,
and I’m not afraid of you, sir!”

> Pali: Cittasmiṁ vasībhūtāmhi,
iddhipādā subhāvitā;
Sabbabandhanamuttāmhi,
na taṁ bhāyāmi āvuso”ti.

[¶56] Then Māra the Wicked, thinking, “The nun Uppalavaṇṇā knows me!” miserable and sad, vanished right there.

> Pali: Atha kho māro pāpimā “jānāti maṁ uppalavaṇṇā bhikkhunī”ti dukkhī dummano tatthevantaradhāyīti.

[¶57] SN 5.6 · With Cālā

> Pali: SN 5.6 · Cālāsutta

[¶58] At Sāvatthī.

> Pali: Sāvatthinidānaṁ.

[¶59] Then the nun Cālā robed up in the morning … and sat at the root of a tree for the day’s meditation.

> Pali: Atha kho cālā bhikkhunī pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā …pe… aññatarasmiṁ rukkhamūle divāvihāraṁ nisīdi.

[¶60] Then Māra the Wicked went up to Cālā and said to her, “Nun, what don’t you approve of?”

> Pali: Atha kho māro pāpimā yena cālā bhikkhunī tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā cālaṁ bhikkhuniṁ etadavoca: “kiṁ nu tvaṁ, bhikkhuni, na rocesī”ti?

[¶61] “I don’t approve of rebirth, sir.”

> Pali: “Jātiṁ khvāhaṁ, āvuso, na rocemī”ti.

[¶62] “Why don’t you approve of rebirth?
When you’re born, you get to enjoy sensual pleasures.
Who put this idea in your head:
‘Nun, don’t approve of rebirth’?”

> Pali: “Kiṁ nu jātiṁ na rocesi,
jāto kāmāni bhuñjati;
Ko nu taṁ idamādapayi,
jātiṁ mā roca bhikkhunī”ti.

[¶63] “Death comes to those who are born,
when you’re born you undergo sufferings—
killing, caging, misery—
that’s why you shouldn’t approve of rebirth.

> Pali: “Jātassa maraṇaṁ hoti,
jāto dukkhāni phussati;
Bandhaṁ vadhaṁ pariklesaṁ,
tasmā jātiṁ na rocaye.

[¶64] The Buddha taught me the Dhamma
for transcending rebirth,
for giving up all suffering;
he settled me in the truth.

> Pali: Buddho dhammamadesesi,
jātiyā samatikkamaṁ;
Sabbadukkhappahānāya,
so maṁ sacce nivesayi.

[¶65] There are beings in the realm of luminous form,
and others stuck in the formless.
Not understanding cessation,
they return in future lives.”

> Pali: Ye ca rūpūpagā sattā,
ye ca arūpaṭṭhāyino;
Nirodhaṁ appajānantā,
āgantāro punabbhavan”ti.

[¶66] Then Māra the Wicked, thinking, “The nun Cālā knows me!” miserable and sad, vanished right there.

> Pali: Atha kho māro pāpimā “jānāti maṁ cālā bhikkhunī”ti dukkhī dummano tatthevantaradhāyīti.

[¶67] SN 5.7 · With Upacālā

> Pali: SN 5.7 · Upacālāsutta

[¶68] At Sāvatthī.

> Pali: Sāvatthinidānaṁ.

[¶69] Then the nun Upacālā robed up in the morning … and sat at the root of a tree for the day’s meditation.

> Pali: Atha kho upacālā bhikkhunī pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā …pe… aññatarasmiṁ rukkhamūle divāvihāraṁ nisīdi.

[¶70] Then Māra the Wicked went up to Upacālā and said to her, “Nun, where do you want to be reborn?”

> Pali: Atha kho māro pāpimā yena upacālā bhikkhunī tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā upacālaṁ bhikkhuniṁ etadavoca: “kattha nu tvaṁ, bhikkhuni, uppajjitukāmā”ti?

[¶71] “I don’t want to be reborn anywhere, sir.”

> Pali: “Na khvāhaṁ, āvuso, katthaci uppajjitukāmā”ti.

[¶72] “There are the gods of the thirty-three, <j>and those of Yama;
also the Joyful Deities,
the gods who love to create,
and the gods who control what is created by others.
Set your heart on such places,
and you’ll undergo delight.”

> Pali: “Tāvatiṁsā ca yāmā ca,
tusitā cāpi devatā;
Nimmānaratino devā,
ye devā vasavattino;
Tattha cittaṁ paṇidhehi,
ratiṁ paccanubhossasī”ti.

[¶73] “The gods of the thirty-three, <j>and those of Yama;
also the Joyful Deities,
the gods who love to create,
and the gods who control what is created by others—
they’re bound with the bonds of sensuality;
they fall under your sway again.

> Pali: “Tāvatiṁsā ca yāmā ca,
tusitā cāpi devatā;
Nimmānaratino devā,
ye devā vasavattino;
Kāmabandhanabaddhā te,
enti māravasaṁ puna.

[¶74] All the world is on fire,
all the world is smoldering,
all the world is ablaze,
all the world is rocking.

> Pali: Sabbo ādīpito loko,
sabbo loko padhūpito;
Sabbo pajjālito loko,
sabbo loko pakampito.

[¶75] My mind adores that place
where Māra cannot go;
it’s not shaking or burning,
and not frequented by ordinary people.”

> Pali: Akampitaṁ apajjalitaṁ,
aputhujjanasevitaṁ;
Agati yattha mārassa,
tattha me nirato mano”ti.

[¶76] Then Māra the Wicked, thinking, “The nun Upacālā knows me!” miserable and sad, vanished right there.

> Pali: Atha kho māro pāpimā “jānāti maṁ upacālā bhikkhunī”ti dukkhī dummano tatthevantaradhāyīti.

[¶77] SN 5.8 · With Sīsupacālā

> Pali: SN 5.8 · Sīsupacālāsutta

[¶78] At Sāvatthī.

> Pali: Sāvatthinidānaṁ.

[¶79] Then the nun Sīsupacālā robed up in the morning … and sat at the root of a tree for the day’s meditation.

> Pali: Atha kho sīsupacālā bhikkhunī pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā …pe… aññatarasmiṁ rukkhamūle divāvihāraṁ nisīdi.

[¶80] Then Māra the Wicked went up to Sīsupacālā and said to her, “Nun, whose creed do you approve of?”

> Pali: Atha kho māro pāpimā yena sīsupacālā bhikkhunī tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā sīsupacālaṁ bhikkhuniṁ etadavoca: “kassa nu tvaṁ, bhikkhuni, pāsaṇḍaṁ rocesī”ti?

[¶81] “I don’t approve anyone’s creed, sir.”

> Pali: “Na khvāhaṁ, āvuso, kassaci pāsaṇḍaṁ rocemī”ti.

[¶82] “In whose name did you shave your head?
You look like an ascetic,
but you don’t approve any creed.
Why do you wander as if lost?”

> Pali: “Kaṁ nu uddissa muṇḍāsi,
Samaṇī viya dissasi;
Na ca rocesi pāsaṇḍaṁ,
Kimiva carasi momūhā”ti.

[¶83] “Followers of other creeds
are confident in their views.
But I don’t approve their teaching,
for they’re no experts in the Dhamma.

> Pali: “Ito bahiddhā pāsaṇḍā,
diṭṭhīsu pasīdanti te;
Na tesaṁ dhammaṁ rocemi,
te dhammassa akovidā.

[¶84] But there is one born in the Sakyan clan,
the unrivaled Buddha,
vanquisher of all, dispeller of Māra,
everywhere undefeated,

> Pali: Atthi sakyakule jāto,
buddho appaṭipuggalo;
Sabbābhibhū māranudo,
sabbatthamaparājito.

[¶85] everywhere freed, and unattached,
the Clear-eyed One sees all.
He has attained the end of all deeds,
freed with the ending of attachments.
That Blessed One is my Teacher,
and I approve his instruction.”

> Pali: Sabbattha mutto asito,
sabbaṁ passati cakkhumā;
Sabbakammakkhayaṁ patto,
vimutto upadhisaṅkhaye;
So mayhaṁ bhagavā satthā,
tassa rocemi sāsanan”ti.

[¶86] Then Māra the Wicked, thinking, “The nun Sīsupacālā knows me!” miserable and sad, vanished right there.

> Pali: Atha kho māro pāpimā “jānāti maṁ sīsupacālā bhikkhunī”ti dukkhī dummano tatthevantaradhāyīti.

[¶87] SN 5.9 · With Selā

> Pali: SN 5.9 · Selāsutta

[¶88] At Sāvatthī.

> Pali: Sāvatthinidānaṁ.

[¶89] Then the nun Selā robed up in the morning … and sat at the root of a tree for the day’s meditation.

> Pali: Atha kho selā bhikkhunī pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā …pe… aññatarasmiṁ rukkhamūle divāvihāraṁ nisīdi.

[¶90] Then Māra the Wicked, wanting to make the nun Selā feel fear, terror, and goosebumps … addressed her in verse:

> Pali: Atha kho māro pāpimā selāya bhikkhuniyā bhayaṁ chambhitattaṁ lomahaṁsaṁ uppādetukāmo …pe… selaṁ bhikkhuniṁ gāthāya ajjhabhāsi:

[¶91] “Who created this puppet?
Where is its maker?
Where has the puppet arisen?
And where does it cease?”

> Pali: “Kenidaṁ pakataṁ bimbaṁ,
kvanu bimbassa kārako;
Kvanu bimbaṁ samuppannaṁ,
kvanu bimbaṁ nirujjhatī”ti.

[¶92] Then the nun Selā thought, “Who’s speaking this verse, a human or a non-human?”

> Pali: Atha kho selāya bhikkhuniyā etadahosi: “ko nu khvāyaṁ manusso vā amanusso vā gāthaṁ bhāsatī”ti?

[¶93] Then she thought, “This is Māra the Wicked, wanting to make me feel fear, terror, and goosebumps, wanting to make me fall away from immersion!”

> Pali: Atha kho selāya bhikkhuniyā etadahosi: “māro kho ayaṁ pāpimā mama bhayaṁ chambhitattaṁ lomahaṁsaṁ uppādetukāmo samādhimhā cāvetukāmo gāthaṁ bhāsatī”ti.

[¶94] Then Selā, knowing that this was Māra the Wicked, replied to him in verse:

> Pali: Atha kho selā bhikkhunī “māro ayaṁ pāpimā” iti viditvā māraṁ pāpimantaṁ gāthāhi paccabhāsi:

[¶95] “This puppet isn’t self-made,
nor is this gloom made by another.
It comes to be because of a cause,
and ceases when the cause breaks up.

> Pali: “Nayidaṁ attakataṁ bimbaṁ,
nayidaṁ parakataṁ aghaṁ;
Hetuṁ paṭicca sambhūtaṁ,
hetubhaṅgā nirujjhati.

[¶96] It’s like a seed that’s sown
in a field; it grows
relying on both the soil’s nutrients
as well as moisture.

> Pali: Yathā aññataraṁ bījaṁ,
khette vuttaṁ virūhati;
Pathavīrasañcāgamma,
sinehañca tadūbhayaṁ.

[¶97] In the same way the aggregates and elements
and these six sense fields
come to be because of a cause,
and cease when the cause breaks up.”

> Pali: Evaṁ khandhā ca dhātuyo,
cha ca āyatanā ime;
Hetuṁ paṭicca sambhūtā,
hetubhaṅgā nirujjhare”ti.

[¶98] Then Māra the Wicked, thinking, “The nun Selā knows me!” miserable and sad, vanished right there.

> Pali: Atha kho māro pāpimā “jānāti maṁ selā bhikkhunī”ti dukkhī dummano tatthevantaradhāyīti.

[¶99] SN 5.10 · With Vajirā

> Pali: SN 5.10 · Vajirāsutta

[¶100] At Sāvatthī.

> Pali: Sāvatthinidānaṁ.

[¶101] Then the nun Vajirā robed up in the morning and, taking her bowl and robe, entered Sāvatthī for alms. She wandered for alms in Sāvatthī. After the meal, on her return from almsround, she went to the Dark Forest for the day’s meditation, plunged deep into it, and sat at the root of a tree to meditate.

> Pali: Atha kho vajirā bhikkhunī pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya sāvatthiṁ piṇḍāya pāvisi. Sāvatthiyaṁ piṇḍāya caritvā pacchābhattaṁ piṇḍapātapaṭikkantā yena andhavanaṁ tenupasaṅkami divāvihārāya. Andhavanaṁ ajjhogāhetvā aññatarasmiṁ rukkhamūle divāvihāraṁ nisīdi.

[¶102] Then Māra the Wicked, wanting to make the nun Vajirā feel fear, terror, and goosebumps, wanting to make her fall away from immersion, went up to her and addressed her in verse:

> Pali: Atha kho māro pāpimā vajirāya bhikkhuniyā bhayaṁ chambhitattaṁ lomahaṁsaṁ uppādetukāmo samādhimhā cāvetukāmo yena vajirā bhikkhunī tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā vajiraṁ bhikkhuniṁ gāthāya ajjhabhāsi:

[¶103] “Who created this sentient being?
Where is its maker?
Where has the being arisen?
And where does it cease?”

> Pali: “Kenāyaṁ pakato satto,
kuvaṁ sattassa kārako;
Kuvaṁ satto samuppanno,
kuvaṁ satto nirujjhatī”ti.

[¶104] Then the nun Vajirā thought, “Who’s speaking this verse, a human or a non-human?”

> Pali: Atha kho vajirāya bhikkhuniyā etadahosi: “ko nu khvāyaṁ manusso vā amanusso vā gāthaṁ bhāsatī”ti?

[¶105] Then she thought, “This is Māra the Wicked, wanting to make me feel fear, terror, and goosebumps, wanting to make me fall away from immersion!”

> Pali: Atha kho vajirāya bhikkhuniyā etadahosi: “māro kho ayaṁ pāpimā mama bhayaṁ chambhitattaṁ lomahaṁsaṁ uppādetukāmo samādhimhā cāvetukāmo gāthaṁ bhāsatī”ti.

[¶106] Then Vajirā, knowing that this was Māra the Wicked, replied to him in verse:

> Pali: Atha kho vajirā bhikkhunī “māro ayaṁ pāpimā” iti viditvā, māraṁ pāpimantaṁ gāthāhi paccabhāsi:

[¶107] “Why do you believe there’s such a thing as a <j>‘sentient being’?
Māra, is this your theory?
This is just a pile of conditions,
you won’t find a sentient being here.

> Pali: “Kiṁ nu sattoti paccesi,
māra diṭṭhigataṁ nu te;
Suddhasaṅkhārapuñjoyaṁ,
nayidha sattupalabbhati.

[¶108] When the parts are assembled
we use the word ‘chariot’.
So too, when the aggregates are present
‘sentient being’ is the convention we use.

> Pali: Yathā hi aṅgasambhārā,
hoti saddo ratho iti;
Evaṁ khandhesu santesu,
hoti sattoti sammuti.

[¶109] But it’s only suffering that comes to be,
lasts a while, then expires.
Naught but suffering comes to be,
naught but suffering ceases.”

> Pali: Dukkhameva hi sambhoti,
dukkhaṁ tiṭṭhati veti ca;
Nāññatra dukkhā sambhoti,
nāññaṁ dukkhā nirujjhatī”ti.

[¶110] Then Māra the Wicked, thinking, “The nun Vajirā knows me!” miserable and sad, vanished right there.

> Pali: Atha kho māro pāpimā “jānāti maṁ vajirā bhikkhunī”ti dukkhī dummano tatthevantaradhāyīti.

[¶111] > Pali: Bhikkhunīvaggo paṭhamo.

[¶112] > Pali: Tassuddānaṁ

[¶113] > Pali: Āḷavikā ca somā ca,
Gotamī vijayā saha;
Uppalavaṇṇā ca cālā,
Upacālā sīsupacālā ca;
Selā vajirāya te dasāti.

[¶114] The Linked Discourses on Nuns are complete.

> Pali: Bhikkhunīsaṁyuttaṁ samattaṁ.