法苑珠林 5.98

5.98

如增一阿含經云。爾時世尊告諸比丘。受形大者莫過阿須倫王。形廣長八萬四千由延。其口縱廣千由旬。或欲觸犯日時。倍復化身十六萬由旬往日月前。日月王見已各懷恐怖不寧本處。以形可畏故。日月王懼不復有光明。然阿須倫不敢前捉日月。何以故。日月威德有大神力。壽命極長顏色端正。受樂無窮住壽一劫。復是此間眾生福祐。令日月不為阿須倫所見觸惱。時阿須倫便懷愁憂即於彼沒。

As the Ekottarika-āgama says: At that time, the World-Honoured One addressed the monks: "Among those who take bodily form, none is greater than the asura king. His body is eighty-four thousand yojanas in length and breadth, and his mouth is one thousand yojanas wide. When he wishes to assault the sun and moon, he transforms his body to double its size, sixteen thousand yojanas, and proceeds before the sun and moon. Seeing him, the sun and moon kings each harbour terror and are uneasy in their original stations. Because his form is terrifying, the sun and moon kings, in their fear, no longer emit their radiance. However, the asura does not dare come forward and seize the sun and moon. Why is this? The majesty and virtue of the sun and moon possess great spiritual power; their lifespans are exceedingly long, their complexions and appearance are well-favoured and upright, they enjoy endless bliss, and their lifespan endures for a kalpa. Furthermore, it is due to the merits and blessings of the sentient beings in this realm that the sun and moon are not molested or troubled by the sight of the asura. The asura then harbours grief and sorrow, and vanishes right there."