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1. Bāhuṃ sahassamabhinimmita sāyudhantaṃ, |
Māra, the Evil One, assuming a fierce form with a thousand arms each brandishing a deadly weapon, stormed forward roaring, accompanied by his formidable hosts and riding on his elephant, Girimekhala. Him the Sovereign Sage conquered by evoking the might of his exalted perfection of giving, among others. By this mighty triumph may joyous victory be yours! |
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2. Mārātirekaṃ abhiyujjhita sabbarattiṃ, |
Even more fiendish than Māra was Aḷavaka, the impetuous and haughty yakkha who fought a night long battle with the Blessed One. Him the sovereign Sage conquered through enduring patience flowing out of his unequalled self-mastery. By this mighty triumph may joyous victory be yours! |
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3. Nālāgiriṃ gajavaraṃ atimattabhūtaṃ. |
Provoked to run amok, Nālāgiri, the king tusker, like a raging forest fire murderously assailed all in his path, and struck such terror as would Indra’s thunderbolt, the irresistible destroyer. Him the Sovereign Sage tamed by sprinkling over him the cooling water of all-embracing love. By this mighty triumph may joyous victory be yours! |
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4. Ukkhittakhaggaṃ atihatta sudāruṇantaṃ, |
With sword upraised in expert hands did the savage robber, Aṅgulimāla, pursue the Blessed One for a full three leagues. Him the Sovereign Sage conquered by his supernatural powers. By this mighty triumph may joyous victory be yours! |
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5. Katvāna kaṭṭhaṃ udaraṃ iva gabbhinīyā, |
Posing as a pregnant woman by tying a piece of wood on her belly, Ciñcā falsely accused with lewd words in the midst of a devout congregation. Her the Sovereign Sage subdued through his imperturbable serenity. By this mighty triumph may joyous victory be yours! |
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6. Saccam vihāya matisaccaka vādaketuṃ, |
With his perverted intelligence the wandering mendicant, Saccaka, invariably distorted the truth. Pretending to be the very banner of learning, he only blinded his own mental vision as he went about indulging in intellectual disputation. Him the sovereign Sage conquered by his illuminating lamp of wisdom. By this mighty triumph may joyous victory be yours! |
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7. Nandopananda bhujagaṃ vibhudhaṃ mahiddhiṃ, |
The gifted but perverted king of the Nāgas, Nandopananda by name, possessed great psychic power and was hostile. By instructing the Elder Moggallāna, his spiritual son, mighty in supernatural attainments, the Sovereign Sage rendered the Nāga king powerless and transformed him. Thus, through a supernormal mode of spiritual instruction intelligible to his kind, did the Master conquer the Nāga. By this mighty triumph may joyous victory be yours! |
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8. Duggāhadiṭṭhibhujagena sudaṭṭha hatthaṃ |
Though a deity of great purity, radiance and power, Baka, the Brahma god, was nevertheless in the grip of pernicious views, like an arm tightly held by a snake's coils. Him the Sovereign Sage cured by means of wisdom. By this mighty triumph may joyous victory be yours! |
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9. Etāpi Buddha jayamaṅgala aṭṭhagāthā, |
Whoso, day after day, without lethargy, recites and recollects these eight hymns of the Exalted One's glorious triumphs — that wise man, having overcome many and diverse obstacles, would attain to the bliss of deliverance. |
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