sn.4.4 Saṁyutta Nikāya (Linked Discourses)

Mara’s Snare (1)

Thus have I heard. On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Baraṇasi in the Deer Park at Isipatana. There the Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus thus: “Bhikkhus!”

“Venerable sir!” those bhikkhus replied. The Blessed One said this:

“Bhikkhus, by careful attention, by careful right striving, I have arrived at unsurpassed liberation, I have realized unsurpassed liberation. You too, bhikkhus, by careful attention, by careful right striving, must arrive at unsurpassed liberation, must realize unsurpassed liberation.”

Then Mara the Evil One approached the Blessed One and addressed him in verse:

“You are bound by Mara’s snare
Both celestial and human;
You are bound by Mara’s bondage:
You won’t escape me, ascetic!”

The Blessed One:

“I am freed from Mara’s snare
Both celestial and human;
I am freed from Mara’s bondage:
You’re defeated, End-maker!”

Then Mara the Evil One … disappeared right there.

- Translator: Bhikkhu Bodhi

- Editor: Blake Walsh

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Māra’s Snares (1st)

So I have heard.
At one time the Buddha was staying near Benares, in the deer park at Isipatana.
There the Buddha addressed the mendicants,
“Mendicants!”
“Venerable sir,” they replied.
The Buddha said this:
“Mendicants, I have attained and realized supreme freedom through proper attention and proper effort.
You too should attain and realize supreme freedom through proper attention and proper effort.”
Then Māra the Wicked went up to the Buddha and addressed him in verse:
“You’re bound by Māra’s snares,
both human and divine.
You’re bound by Māra’s bonds:
you won’t escape me, ascetic!”
“I’m freed from Māra’s snares,
both human and divine.
I’m freed from Māra’s bonds.
You’re beaten, terminator!”
Then Māra … vanished right there.