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Udàna 4: Meghiyavaggo
The Chapter (including the Discourse) about Meghiya

4: The Discourse about Moonlight

Thus I heard:
at one time the Gracious One was dwelling near Ràjagaha, in Bamboo Wood, at the Squirrels' Feeding Place.

Then at that time venerable Sàriputta and venerable Mahàmoggallàna were living at the Pigeon Vale. Then at that time venerable Sàriputta, on a moonlight night, with his hair freshly shaved off, was sitting in the open air, having attained a certain concentration.

Then at that time two yakkha friends were going from the Northern region to the Southern region, with some business or other. Those yakkhas saw venerable Sàriputta, on (that) moonlight night, with his hair freshly shaved off, sat in the open air. And after seeing (him), one of those yakkhas said this to the second yakkha: ßIt occurs to me, friend, to give a blow on this ascetic's head.û

When that was said, that yakkha said this to the (other) yakkha: ßEnough, friend, don't strike the ascetic. Eminent is the ascetic, friend, of great power, of great majesty.û

For a second time that yakkha said this to the (other) yakkha: ßIt occurs to me, friend, to give a blow on this ascetic's head.û

For a second time that yakkha said this to the (other) yakkha: ßEnough, friend, don't strike the ascetic. Eminent is the ascetic, friend, of great power, of great majesty.û

For a third time that yakkha said this to the (other) yakkha: ßIt occurs to me, friend, to give a blow on this ascetic's head.û

For a third time that yakkha said this to the (other) yakkha: ßEnough, friend, don't strike the ascetic. Eminent is the ascetic, friend, of great power, of great majesty.û

Then the yakkha taking no notice of that (other) yakkha, gave a blow on the elder venerable Sàriputta's head: it was such a great blow that with that blow a seven, or seven and a half cubit Nàga (elephant) might have been felled, or a great mountain top might have been burst open. Then that yakkha (calling out): ßI'm burning, I'm burningû right there (and then) fell into the Great Hell.

Venerable Mahàmoggallàna saw with his divine-eye, which is purified, and surpasses that of (normal) men, that yakkha giving a blow on venerable Sàriputta's head. And after seeing (it), he went to venerable Sàriputta, and after going, he said this to venerable Sàriputta: ßCan you bear up, venerable friend? Can you carry on? Do you have any pain?û

ßI can bear up, friend Moggallàna; I can carry on, friend Moggallàna, but I have a little pain on my head.û

ßWonderful, friend Sàriputta, marvellous, friend Sàriputta, such is the venerable Sàriputta's great power and great majesty. Here, friend Sàriputta, a certain yakkha gave a blow on your head: it was such a great blow, that with that blow a seven, or seven and a half cubit Nàga (elephant) might have been felled, or a great mountain top might have been burst open. But then venerable Sàriputta said this: `I can bear up, friend Moggallàna; I can carry on, friend Moggallàna, but I have a little pain on my head.' û

ßWonderful, friend Moggallàna, marvellous, friend Moggallàna, such is the venerable Mahàmoggallàna's great power and great majesty, in as much as he can even see a yakkha, whereas we at present do not even see a mud-demon!û

The Gracious One heard with his divine ear-element, which is purified, and surpasses that of (normal) men, the fitting talk and conversation of these two Great Nàgas.

Then the Gracious One, having understood the significance of it on that occasion uttered this exalted utterance: