• So It Was Said 82 Itivuttaka 82
  • The Book of the Threes Tikanipāta
  • Chapter Four Catutthavagga

The Cry of the Gods Devasaddasutta

This was said by the Buddha, the Perfected One: that is what I heard. Vuttañhetaṁ bhagavatā vuttamarahatāti me sutaṁ:

ā€œMendicants, these three cries are uttered among the gods on occasion. ā€œTayome, bhikkhave, devesu devasaddā niccharanti samayā samayaṁ upādāya. What three? Katame tayo? 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: Yasmiṁ, bhikkhave, samaye ariyasāvako kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajjāya ceteti, tasmiṁ samaye devesu devasaddo niccharati: ā€˜This noble disciple intends to join battle with Māra!’ ā€˜eso ariyasāvako mārena saddhiṁ saį¹…gāmāya cetetī’ti. This is the first occasion a cry is uttered among the gods. Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, paį¹­hamo devesu devasaddo niccharati samayā samayaṁ upādāya.

Furthermore, when a noble disciple meditates pursuing the development of the seven qualities that lead to awakening, the gods cry out: Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, yasmiṁ samaye ariyasāvako sattannaṁ bodhipakkhiyānaṁ dhammānaṁ bhāvanānuyogamanuyutto viharati, tasmiṁ samaye devesu devasaddo niccharati: ā€˜This noble disciple is joining battle with Māra!’ ā€˜eso ariyasāvako mārena saddhiṁ saį¹…gāmetī’ti. This is the second occasion a cry is uttered among the gods. Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, dutiyo devesu devasaddo niccharati samayā samayaṁ upādāya.

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: Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, yasmiṁ samaye ariyasāvako āsavānaṁ khayā anāsavaṁ cetovimuttiṁ paƱƱāvimuttiṁ diį¹­į¹­heva dhamme sayaṁ abhiƱƱā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharati, tasmiṁ samaye devesu devasaddo niccharati: ā€˜This noble disciple has won victory in battle, establishing himself as foremost in battle!’ ā€˜eso ariyasāvako vijitasaį¹…gāmo tameva saį¹…gāmasÄ«saṁ abhivijiya ajjhāvasatī’ti. This is the third occasion a cry is uttered among the gods. Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, tatiyo devesu devasaddo niccharati samayā samayaṁ upādāya. These are the three cries that are uttered among the gods on occasion.ā€ Ime kho, bhikkhave, tayo devesu devasaddā niccharanti samayā samayaṁ upādāyÄā€ti.

The Buddha spoke this matter. Etamatthaṁ bhagavā avoca. On this it is said: Tatthetaṁ iti vuccati:

ā€œSeeing the winner of the battleā€”ā€œDisvā vijitasaį¹…gāmaṁ, a disciple of the Buddha, sammāsambuddhasāvakaṁ; great of heart, intrepid—Devatāpi namassanti, even the deities revere them: mahantaṁ vÄ«tasāradaṁ.

ā€˜Homage to you, O thoroughbred! Namo te purisājaƱƱa, You won a battle hard to win! yo tvaṁ dujjayamajjhabhÅ«; Having defeated the army of death, Jetvāna maccuno senaṁ, your liberation is unhindered.’ vimokkhena anāvaraṁ.

And so the deities revere the one, Iti hetaṁ namassanti, who has achieved their heart’s desire. devatā pattamānasaṁ; For they see nothing in them by means of which TaƱhi tassa na passanti, they might fall under the sway of Death.ā€ yena maccuvasaṁ vajeā€ti.

This too is a matter that was spoken by the Blessed One: that is what I heard. Ayampi attho vutto bhagavatā, iti me sutanti.

Tatiyaṁ.