The Related Suttas Collection 4.4

1. Life Span

Māra’s Snares (1st)

So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Varanasi, in the deer park at Isipatana. There the Buddha addressed the bhikkhus, “Bhikkhus!”

“Venerable sir,” they replied. The Buddha said this:

“Bhikkhus, I have attained and realized supreme freedom through rational application of mind and rational right effort. You too should attain and realize supreme freedom through rational application of mind and rational right 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.