ཟླ་བའ་མད 2

2

Shining with white and pristine light.
Instead of seizing it in the sky,
Instantly release the lamp of beings!”¹⁶

Then Rāhu, in a hurry,
Covered in sweat, agitated,
And confused like a sick person,¹⁷
Released the moon.

When the great son of Virocana¹⁸ saw that Rāhu, lord of the asuras, had very swiftly released the moon, he asked him in verse:

“Why did you, Rāhu,
Covered in sweat, agitated,
And confused like a sick person,
Hurriedly release the moon?” ¹⁹

Rāhu replied:

“As the Buddha uttered that verse,
If I had not released the moon,
My head would have split into seven pieces,²⁰
And even while alive I would not find happiness.”

The great son of Virocana exclaimed:

“Oh wonder! Amazing is the emergence of buddhas,
Who see peace!²¹
If they utter a verse,
Rāhu will free the moon.”