an.4.15 Aṅguttara Nikāya (Numbered Discourses)

Proclamations

“Bhikkhus, there are these four proclamations of the foremost. What four?

(1) “The foremost of those with bodies is Rāhu, lord of the asuras. (2) The foremost of those who enjoy sensual pleasures is King Mandhātā. (3) The foremost of those who exercise authority is Māra the Evil One. (4) In this world with its devas, Māra, and Brahmā, among this population with its ascetics and brahmins, its devas and humans, the Tathāgata, the Arahant, the Perfectly Enlightened One is declared foremost. These are the four proclamations of those who are foremost.”

Rāhu is the foremost of those with bodies,
Mandhātā, of those enjoying sense pleasures;
Māra is the foremost of rulers,
blazing with power and glory.

In this world together with its devas
above, across, and below,
as far as the world extends,
the Buddha is declared foremost.

- Translator: Bhikkhu Bodhi

- Editor: Blake Walsh

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Regarded as Foremost

King Mandhātā.
“Mendicants, these four are regarded as foremost.
What four?
The foremost in size of life-form is
Rāhu, lord of demons.
The foremost sensualist is
The foremost in sovereignty is
Māra the Wicked.
In this world—with its gods, Māras and Brahmās, this population with its ascetics and brahmins, gods and humans—a Realized One, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha is said to be the best.
These are the four regarded as foremost.
Rāhu is foremost in size of life-form,
Mandhātā in enjoying sensual pleasures,
Māra in sovereignty,
shining with power and glory.
Above, below, all round,
as far as the earth extends;
in all the world with its gods,
the Buddha is declared foremost.”