Devaputtasaṁyutta 9

Linked Discourses 2.9

Chapter One

The Moon

1 At Sāvatthī.

Now at that time the Moon God had been seized by Rāhu, lord of titans. Then the Moon God, recollecting the Buddha, at that time spoke this verse:

2 “Homage to you, Buddha, hero!

You’re free in every way.

I’ve wandered into confinement:

be my refuge!”

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

4 “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!”

5 Then Rāhu, having released the Moon, rushed to see Vepacitti, lord of titans and stood to one side, shocked and awestruck. Vepacitti addressed him in verse:

6 “Why the rush?

Rāhu, you released the Moon

and came here looking like you’re in shock:

why do you stand there so scared?”

7 “My head would have exploded in seven pieces,

I would have found no happiness in life,

if, when enchanted by the Buddha’s verse,

I had not released the Moon.”