Sakalikaü Sutta

Translation by Bhikkhuni Uppalavanna

1. I heard thus. At one time the Blessed One was living in the deer park in the middle valley of Rajagaha.

2. At that time the Blessed One's foot was cut with a splinter and the Blessed One was mindfully enduring sharp, acute, unwelcome, bodily feelings without annoyance.

3. Then Màra the evil one, approached the Blessed One and said a stanza to the Blessed One:


 * "Are you sleeping lazily or intoxicated with poetic ideas?
 * Don't you have much work to do?
 * Why are you alone on seat and bed?
 * Why are you engaged in sleep, lazily?"

4. "Am not sleeping lazily, nor am I intoxicated for poetry,
 * Knowing the useful, I have given up grieving,
 * So I am secluded on seat and bed
 * I sleep compassionate for all living things
 * Even those who have the arrow in their hearts,
 * Sleep, while feelings arise each moment,
 * Why should I, not sleep with the arrow pulled out?
 * I do not care for wakefulness, nor do I fear to sleep.
 * Ones like me do not practice austerities day and night.
 * I do not see any slackness any where in the world.
 * Therefore, I sleep compassionate for all living things."

5. Then Màra the evil one knew, the Blessed One has recognized me, became displeased and vanished from there.