Verses on Dhamma 26.3.p2

26.3.p2

So kirekasmiṃ divase aññataro puriso viya hutvā satthāraṃ upasaṅkamitvā pucchi – ‘‘bhante, pāraṃ pāranti vuccati, kinnu kho etaṃ pāraṃ nāmā’’ti. Satthā ‘‘māro aya’’nti viditvā, ‘‘pāpima, kiṃ tava pārena, tañhi vītarāgehi pattabba’’nti vatvā imaṃ gāthamāha –

The story goes that Māra one day assumed a disguise, approached the Teacher, and asked him, “Reverend Sir, the ‘far shore’ is frequently spoken of. Pray what is this thing that is called the ‘far shore’?” The Teacher knew at once, “This is Māra.” So he said to him, “Evil One, what have you to do with the ‘far shore’? That may be gained only by those who have freed themselves from the lusts.” So saying, he pronounced the following Stanza,