經律異相 1.96

1.96

The asura king is named Rāhu. His body is twenty-eight thousand li tall. On the fifteenth day of the month, he stands in the midst of the ocean, the seawater barely reaching his navel. He lowers his head to gaze at the treasures on Mount Sumeru, peering at the mountain and the four quarters' superior stations. He covers the sun and moon with his fingers, casting the world into darkness; or he covers the sun, turning day into night. This is what is meant by the eclipses of the sun and moon threatening their light. (From the Loutan jing, fascicle 5.)