[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [Dictionary of Pali Proper Names](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937) › v2.c31.2739 # Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v2.c31.2739 Dictionary of Pāli Proper Names v2.c31.2739 - **Language:** English ### [v2.c31.2739](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937.v2.c31.2739) The later books, especially the Nidānakathā of the Jātaka Commentary¹ and the Buddhavamsa Commentary,² contain a very lively and detailed description of the temptation of the Buddha by Māra, as the Buddha sat under the Bodhi-tree immediately before his Enlightenment. These accounts describe how Māra, the devaputta, seeing the Bodhisatta seated, with the firm resolve of becoming a Buddha, summoned all his forces and advanced against him. These forces extended to a distance of twelve yojanas to the front of the Bodhisatta, twelve to the back, and nine each to the right and to the left. Māra himself, thousand-armed, rode on his elephant, Girimekhala, one hundred and fifty leagues in height. His followers assumed various fearsome shapes and were armed with dreadful weapons. At Māra’s approach, all the various Devas, Nāgas and others, who were gathered round the Bodhisatta singing his praises and paying him homage, disappeared in headlong flight. The Bodhisatta was left alone, and he called to his assistance the ten \*pāramī\* which he had practised to perfection. - [Previous: v2.c31.2738](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937.v2.c31.2738) - [Next: v2.c31.2740](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937.v2.c31.2740) - [Up: v2.c31](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937.v2.c31) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937.v2.c31.2739](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937.v2.c31.2739) · Pramāṇa