39a: The Discourse about Āṭānāṭiya – 1373
from killing, stealing, unlawful sexual conduct, lying and taking intoxicants,
whereas Yakkhas generally do not refrain from killing, stealing, unlawful
sexual conduct, lying and taking intoxicants. For these Yakkhas who lack
morality the five moral precepts is anathema.
Venerable sir, there are many monastic disciples of the Fortunate One who
dwell in monasteries in remote places. These remote places are permanent
residences of very powerful Yakkhas, who do not show reverence to the
Fortunate One. To win their confidence, to serve as a protection for the male
monastic disciples, female monastic disciples, male lay disciples and female lay
disciples of the Fortunate One, to let them be free from the harassment of
Yakkhas; and for a peaceful, carefree life in all the four bodily postures for
everyone, may the Fortunate One teach the Āṭānāṭiya Safeguard (
Āṭānāṭiya-
paritta
) to the disciples.”
Herein, Vessavaṇa acted as spokesmen for the Four Great Kings because
he was well acquainted with the Buddha and was also an accomplished
speaker.
The Buddha accepted Vessavaṇa’s proposition by remaining silent. Seeing that
the Buddha approved his suggestion, Vessavaṇa recited the Āṭānāṭiya Safeguard
thus:
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“Vipassissa ca namatthu, cakkhu-mantassa sirīmato.
Sikhissa pi ca namatthu, sabba-bhūtānukampino.
“May you revere Vipassī, the glorious visionary, may you revere Sikhī,
who has pity on all beings.
Vessabhussa ca namatthu, nhātakassa tapassino,
namatthu Kakusandhassa, Māra-senāpamaddino.
May you revere Vessabhū, the austere one, cleansed of corruptions, may
you revere Kakusandha, who has crushed Māra’s army.
Koṇāgamanassa namatthu, Brāhmaṇassa vusīmato,
Kassapassa ca namatthu, vippamuttassa sabbadhi.
May you revere Koṇāgamana, the accomplished Brahmin, may you revere
Kassapa, who is free in every respect.
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[The original publication didn’t include a translation, I have added my own in here].