By the firm determination
of this truth,
may I ever be well.— A Buddhist Prayer Closing Line
These verses are recited by Buddhist devotees on many Buddhist countries on auspicious occasions such as weddings, house-warming ceremonies, felicitations and various kinds of blessing services. Children could be taught to sing the verses to the accompaniment of musical instruments. These eight verses recall the great events which took place between the Buddha and his powerful opponents, who have tried to kill him, to humiliate Him and to defeat Him, and how the Buddha overcame all these disturbances calmly and peacefully through the merits of His great virtues; and finally how He converted His opponents into following the righteous way of living. Each verse is based on a beautiful story but it is not possible to mention them in this manual [due to length]. One who recites these verses regularly and mindfully following the example given by the Buddha, can overcome many difficulties.
[1] Creating a thousand hands armed with weapons, Mara was seated on the trumpeting, ferocious elephant Girimekhala. Him, together with his army, did the Lord of Sages subdue by means of generosity and other virtues. By the grace of this, may joyous victory be mine. [2] More violent than Mara was the obstinate demon Alavaka, who battled with the Buddha throughout the night. Him, did the Lord of Sages subdue by means of His patience and self-control. By the grace of this, may joyous victory be mine. [3] Nalagiri, the king elephant, highly intoxicated, was raging like a forest fire and was terrible as a thunderbolt. Sprinkling the waters of loving-kindness, this ferocious beast, did the Lord of Sages subdue. By the grace of this, may joyous victory be mine. [4] With lifted sword, for a distance of three leagues did wicked Angulimala run. Him, did the Lord of Sages subdue by his psychic powers. By the grace of this, may joyous victory be mine.
[5] Her belly bound with maggots, to simulate the bigness of pregnancy, Cinca, with harsh words made foul accusation in the midst of an assemblage. Her did the Lord of Sages subdue by His serene and graceful bearing. By the grace of this, may joyous victory be mine. [6] Haughty Saccaka, who ignored truth, was like a banner of controversy, and his vision was blinded by his own disputations. Lighting the lamp of wisdom, him, did the Lord of Sages subdue. By the grace of this, may joyous victory be mine. [7] The wise and powerful serpent Nandopananda, did the noble Sage subdue by psychic power through His disciple son — Thera Moggallana. By the grace of this, may joyous victory be mine. [8] The pure, radiant, majestic Brahma Baka, whose hand was grievously bitten by the snake of tenacious heresies, did the Lord of Sages cure with His Medicine of wisdom.* By the grace of this, may joyous victory be mine. The wise one, who daily recites and earnestly remembers these eight verses of joyous victory of the Buddha, will get rid of various misfortunes and gain the bliss of Nibbana.
* Related Article:
The Buddha’s Victory Over A God & Demon
https://thedailyenlightenment.com/2012/03/the-buddhas-victory-over-a-god-demon
Daily Buddhist Devotions
Ven. K. Sri Dhammananda
