Devaputtasaṁyutta 10

Linked Discourses 2.10

Chapter One

The Sun

1 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:

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 Sun God:

4 “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!

5 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!”

6 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:

7 “Why the rush?

Rāhu, you released the Sun

and came here looking like you’re in shock:

why do you stand there so scared?”

8 “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.”