sn.4.7 Saṁyutta Nikāya (Linked Discourses)

Sleep

On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Rajagaha in the Bamboo Grove, the Squirrel Sanctuary. Then, when the night was fading, the Blessed One, having spent much of the night walking back and forth in the open, washed his feet, entered his dwelling, and lay down on his right side in the lion’s posture, with one leg overlapping the other, mindful and clearly comprehending, having attended to the idea of rising.

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

“What, you sleep? Why do you sleep?
What’s this, you sleep like a wretch?
Thinking ‘The hut’s empty’ you sleep:
What’s this, you sleep when the sun has risen?”

The Blessed One:

“Within him craving no longer lurks,
Entangling and binding, to lead him anywhere;
With the destruction of all acquisitions
The Awakened One sleeps:
Why should this concern you, Mara?”

Then Mara the Evil One … disappeared right there.

- Translator: Bhikkhu Bodhi

- Editor: Blake Walsh

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Sleeping

At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha, in the Bamboo Grove, the squirrels’ feeding ground.
He spent most of the night walking mindfully in the open. At the crack of dawn he washed his feet and entered his dwelling.
He laid down in the lion’s posture—on the right side, placing one foot on top of the other—mindful and aware, and focused on the time of getting up.
Then Māra the Wicked went up to the Buddha and addressed him in verse:
“What, you’re asleep? Really, you’re asleep?
You sleep like a loser—what’s up with that?
You sleep, thinking that the hut is empty.
You sleep when the sun has come up—what’s up with that?”
“For them there is no craving—
the weaver, the clinger—to track them anywhere.
With the ending of all attachments the awakened Buddha sleeps.
What’s that got to do with you, Māra?”
Then Māra … vanished right there.