Saṁyutta Nikāya — Discursos Conectados — 2.9 — The Moon

1At Sāvatthī.

2Now at that time the Moon God had been seized by Rāhu, lord of titans. Then the Moon God, recollecting the Buddha, at that time spoke this verse:

3“Homage to you, Buddha, hero!
You’re free in every way.
I’ve wandered into confinement:
be my refuge!”

4Then the Buddha addressed Rāhu in verse concerning the Moon God:

5“The Moon God has gone for refuge
to the Realized One, the perfected one.
The Buddhas have compassion for the world—
so Rāhu, release the Moon!”

6Then Rāhu, having released the Moon, rushed to see Vepacitti, lord of titans and stood to one side, shocked and awestruck. Vepacitti addressed him in verse:

7“Why the rush?
Rāhu, you released the Moon
and came here looking like you’re in shock:
why do you stand there so scared?”

8“My head would have exploded in seven pieces,
I would have found no happiness in life,
if, when enchanted by the Buddha’s verse,
I had not released the Moon.”