The Sun

SN 2.10 · Sūriyasutta

Amber autumn leaves against a shaded woodland.

At Sāvatthī.

Now at that time the Sun God had been seized by Rāhu, lord of titans. Then the Sun God, recollecting the Buddha, at that time spoke this verse:

“Homage to you, Buddha, hero! You’re free in every way. I’ve wandered into confinement: be my refuge!”

Then the Buddha addressed Rāhu in verse concerning the Sun God:

“The Sun God has gone for refuge to the Realized One, the perfected one. The Buddhas have compassion for the world—so Rāhu, release the Sun!
He is a beacon in the darkness, the dazzling sun, circle of awesome might. Rāhu, do not swallow him as he traverses the sky. Rāhu, release my offspring, the Sun!”

Then Rāhu, having released the Sun, rushed to see Vepacitti, lord of titans and stood to one side, shocked and awestruck. Vepacitti addressed him in verse:

“Why the rush? Rāhu, you released the Sun and came here looking like you’re in shock: why do you stand there so scared?”
“My head would have exploded in seven pieces, I would have found no joy in life, if, when enchanted by the Buddha’s verse, I had not released the Sun.”

Connections

Collection & context

Saṃyutta NikāyaThe collection containing this text
The Pāli canonCanonical collection in which this edition is preserved
Theravāda traditionsTransmission and study context
The early Buddhist communityHistorical and traditional setting

Books

The Connected Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Saṃyutta NikāyaBhikkhu Bodhi; Bhikkhu Bodhi (translator) · Complete collection edition

About this edition

Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato · SuttaCentral · CC0

This translation is an expression of an ancient spiritual text that has been passed down by the Buddhist tradition for the benefit of all sentient beings. It is dedicated to the public domain via Creative Commons Zero (CC0). You are encouraged to copy, reproduce, adapt, alter, or otherwise make use of this translation. The translator respectfully requests that any use be in accordance with the values and principles of the Buddhist community. In particular, please do not use this work in AI training datasets, for the development of any AI model or algorithm, or in any AI-derived technologies.

Published source. Translation wording and order are preserved; source headings and notes are retained, with navigation and formatting adapted for this reader.

The opening image is AI-generated nature artwork for Buddhist Atlas, an evocative companion rather than a historical depiction.