iti.82 Itivuttaka

Joyous Utterances

This was said by the Lord…

“Bhikkhus, among the devas these three joyous utterances are proclaimed from time to time upon certain occasions. What three?

“At the time when a noble disciple, having had his hair and beard shaved off and having clothed himself in the yellow robe, intends going forth from home into homelessness, at that time among the devas the joyous utterance is proclaimed: ‘A noble disciple intends to do battle with Māra.’ This is the first joyous utterance proclaimed among the devas from time to time upon a certain occasion.

“Again, bhikkhus, at the time when a noble disciple lives engaged in cultivating the seven groups of the requisites of enlightenment, at that time among the devas the joyous utterance is proclaimed: ‘A noble disciple is doing battle with Māra.’ This is the second joyous utterance proclaimed among the devas from time to time upon a certain occasion.

“And again, bhikkhus, at the time when a noble disciple, through realization by his own direct knowledge, here and now enters and abides in the mind-release and wisdom-release that is taintless by the destruction of the taints, at that time among the devas the joyous utterance is proclaimed: ‘A noble disciple has won the battle. He was in the forefront of the fight and he now dwells victorious.’ This, bhikkhus, is the third joyous utterance proclaimed among the devas from time to time upon a certain occasion.

“These, bhikkhus, are the three joyous utterances…”

On seeing that he has won the battle,
Even the devas honour him,
The Fully Enlightened One’s disciple,
A great one free from diffidence:

“We salute you, O thoroughbred man,
You who have won a difficult conquest.
Having routed the army of Death,
You are unhindered in liberation.”

Thus do the devas extol him,
The one who has attained the goal,
For they do not perceive in him
Ground for subjection to Death’s control.

- Translator: John D. Ireland

- Editor: Bhikkhu Sujato

---

The Cry of the Gods

This was said by the Buddha, the Perfected One: that is what I heard.
“Mendicants, these three cries are uttered among the gods on occasion.
What three?
When a noble disciple shaves off their hair and beard, dresses in ocher robes, and goes forth from the lay life to homelessness, the gods cry out:
‘This noble disciple intends to join battle with Māra!’
This is the first occasion a cry is uttered among the gods.
Furthermore, when a noble disciple meditates pursuing the development of the seven qualities that lead to awakening, the gods cry out:
‘This noble disciple is joining battle with Māra!’
This is the second occasion a cry is uttered among the gods.
Furthermore, when a noble disciple realizes the undefiled freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom in this very life, and they live having realized it with their own insight due to the ending of defilements, the gods cry out:
‘This noble disciple has won victory in battle, establishing himself as foremost in battle!’
This is the third occasion a cry is uttered among the gods.
These are the three cries that are uttered among the gods on occasion.”
The Buddha spoke this matter.
On this it is said:
“Seeing the winner of the battle—
a disciple of the Buddha,
a great one, rid of naivety—
even the deities revere them:
‘Homage to you, O thoroughbred!
You won a battle hard to win!
Having defeated the army of death,
your liberation is unobstructed.’
And so the deities revere the one,
who has achieved their heart’s desire.
For they see nothing in them by means of which
they might fall under the sway of Death.”
This too is a matter that was spoken by the Blessed One: that is what I heard.