At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme.

Now at that time a certain lay woman had a son named Sānu who had been seized by a native spirit. Tena kho pana samayena aññatarissā upāsikāya sānu nāma putto yakkhena gahito hoti. And as that lay woman wept, on that occasion she recited these verses: Atha kho sā upāsikā paridevamānā tāyaṁ velāyaṁ imā gāthāyo abhāsi:

“I have heard this from the perfected ones. “Cātuddasiṁ pañcadasiṁ, The native spirits will not mess with anyone yā ca pakkhassa aṭṭhamī; who leads the spiritual life Pāṭihāriyapakkhañca, by observing the sabbath aṭṭhaṅgasusamāgataṁ.

complete in all eight factors Uposathaṁ upavasanti, on the fourteenth and the fifteenth days, brahmacariyaṁ caranti ye; and the eighth day of the fortnight, Na tehi yakkhā kīḷanti, as well as on the fortnight of special displays. iti me arahataṁ sutaṁ; But now today I see Sā dāni ajja passāmi, native spirits messing with Sānu.” yakkhā kīḷanti sānunā”ti.

“What you heard from the perfected ones is right. “Cātuddasiṁ pañcadasiṁ, The native spirits will not mess with anyone yā ca pakkhassa aṭṭhamī; who leads the spiritual life Pāṭihāriyapakkhañca, by observing the sabbath aṭṭhaṅgasusamāgataṁ;

complete in all eight factors Uposathaṁ upavasanti, on the fourteenth and the fifteenth days, brahmacariyaṁ caranti ye. and the eighth day of the fortnight, Na tehi yakkhā kīḷanti, as well as on the fortnight of special displays. sāhu te arahataṁ sutaṁ;

When Sānu regains consciousness tell him Sānuṁ pabuddhaṁ vajjāsi, this saying of the native spirits: yakkhānaṁ vacanaṁ idaṁ; Don’t do bad deeds Mākāsi pāpakaṁ kammaṁ, either openly or in secret. āvi vā yadi vā raho.

If you should do a bad deed, Sace ca pāpakaṁ kammaṁ, or you’re doing one now, karissasi karosi vā; you won’t be freed from suffering, Na te dukkhā pamutyatthi, though you fly away and flee.” uppaccāpi palāyato”ti.

“Mum, they cry for the dead, “Mataṁ vā amma rodanti, or for one who’s alive but missing. yo vā jīvaṁ na dissati; I’m alive and you can see me, Jīvantaṁ amma passantī, so mum, why do you weep for me?” kasmā maṁ amma rodasī”ti.

“Son, they cry for the dead, “Mataṁ vā putta rodanti, or for one who’s alive but missing. yo vā jīvaṁ na dissati; But someone who has given up sensual pleasures Yo ca kāme cajitvāna, only to come back here again: punarāgacchate idha; they cry for them as well, Taṁ vāpi putta rodanti, for though still alive they’re really dead. puna jīvaṁ mato hi so.

My dear, you’ve been rescued from hot coals, Kukkuḷā ubbhato tāta, and you want to plunge right back in them! kukkuḷaṁ patitumicchasi; My dear, you’ve been rescued from the abyss, Narakā ubbhato tāta, and you want to plunge right back there! narakaṁ patitumicchasi.

Hurry up, good luck to you! Abhidhāvatha bhaddante, To whom should we complain? kassa ujjhāpayāmase; A valuable saved from a fire, Ādittā nīhataṁ bhaṇḍaṁ, you want to burn again!” puna ḍayhitumicchasī”ti.