(15) Suriya-paritta Sutta

The next sutta is suriya paritta^[1] —sun deity’s prayer for protection.

On one occasion the Blessed one was dwelling at monastery of Anathapindika in the grove of prince Jeta near shravasthi. The sun deity was seized by Rahu. On that occasion the sun deity contemplated on the virtues of the Blessed one recited and prayed to Lord Buddha that he had freed himself from all passions but the sun rays had fallen into difficulty and prayed to come to his rescue.

On that occasion the blessed one addressed the Noble Asura-Rahu on behalf of the sun deity that the sun deity had taken refuge in the passionless one, the Buddha who was compassionate towards all living beings, therefore should release the sun deity. There upon the Noble Asura-Rahu released the sun deity and ran swiftly to the Asura king, vepacitti and with agitated mind and stood by his side.

Thereupon the Asura king vepacitti addressed the Noble Asura-Rahu and asked why he had released the sun hastily and why he had been confused and agitated. There upon Asura-Rahu replied for vepacitti that he had heard two stanzas uttered by Lord Buddha and if he did not listen to Lord Buddha and kept the sun deity without releasing, his head would have been blasted into seven parts. Then Rahu released the sun diety.

Suriya is A Devaputta, a son of Sakka.

Reciting this Paritta sutta the Moon and the Sun saved themselves from Rahu. Reciting this sutta protects us from evil powers and we can save ourselves from all types of dangers. So everytime sutta should be recited. This sutta acts as our safe guard of life.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

S.i. 51.