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So it was heard by me:
At one time Bhagavat dwelt at Gayâ (seated) on a stone seat in the
realm of the Yakkha Sû/k/iloma. And at that time the Yakkha Khara and
the Yakkha Sû/k/iloma passed by, not far from Bhagavat. And then the
Yakkha Khara said this to the Yakkha Sû/k/iloma: 'Is this man a Sama/n/a?'
Sû/k/iloma answered: 'He is no Sama/n/a, he is a Sama/n/aka (a
wretched Sama/n/a); however I will ascertain whether he is a Sama/n/a or
a Sama/n/aka.'
Then the Yakkha Sû/k/iloma went up to Bhagavat, and having gone up to
him, he brushed against Bhagavat's body. Then Bhagavat took away his
body. Then the Yakkha Sû/k/iloma said this to Bhagavat: 'O Sama/n/a, art
thou afraid of me?'
Bhagavat answered: 'No, friend, I am not afraid of thee, but thy
touching me is sinful.'
Sû/k/iloma said: 'I will ask thee a question, O Sama/n/a; if thou
canst not answer it I will either scatter thy thoughts or cleave thy
heart, or take thee by the feet and throw thee over to the other shore
of the Ga_n_gâ.'
Bhagavat answered: 'I do not see, O friend, neither in this world
together with the world of the Devas, Mâras, Brahmans, nor amongst the
generation of Sama/n/a and Brâhma/n/as, gods and men, the one who can
either scatter my thoughts or cleave my heart, or take me by the feet
and throw me over
to the other shore of the Ga_n_gâ. However ask, O friend, what thou
pleasest.' Then the Yakkha Sû/k/iloma addressed Bhagavat in a stanza:
Continued...
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1.
' What origin have passion and hatred, disgust, delight, and
horror? wherefrom do they arise? whence arising do doubts vex the mind,
as boys vex a crow?'
2.
Buddha said: 'Passion and hatred have their origin from this
(body), disgust, delight, and horror arise from this body; arising from
this (body) doubts vex the mind, as boys vex a crow.
3.
'They originate in desire, they arise in self, like the shoots of
the banyan tree; far and wide they are connected, with sensual
pleasures, like the mâluvâ creeper spread in the wood.
4.
'Those who know whence it (sin) arises, drive it away. Listen, O
Yakkha! They cross over this stream that is difficult to cross, and has
not been crossed before, with a view to not being born again.'
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