The fourth Bhanavara (Introduction)

When the night had passed once the Blessed one addressed the monks.

Here the Buddha expounds and relates to the meaning of the words, what has been said by the great king Vessavana. This subject mater here follows:

In the first six verses, respect has been given to various incarnations of Lord Buddha, in verses 7 to 14 it has been described that Gandhabba king Dhatarattha, his kingdom that covers the East quarter of the Realm of the four Great kings, and his subjects’ reverence towards the Buddha. In verses 15-21, it has been described Kumbhanda king Virulha, his kingdom that covers the south quarter of the realm of the four great kings and their subjects reverence towards the Buddha. In verses 22-26 it has been described about the Naga king Virupakkha, his kingdom that covers the west quarter of the realm of the four Great kings.

In verse 27 to 31, a gathering was held amongst Nagas and their sons, kinsmen of the sun, Yakkha etc. They paid their gratitude and homage to the Blessed One, from verse to 32 to 35 some natural scenarios and beauties are described like mountain Uttarakuru, of mount Meru. Greenery of fields beauty of lake are described.

From 36-39, a description of the gathering position of men and women, girls and boys vehicles etc. Then, it informs about king Vessavana (Yakkha king) who has enormous wealth. There are some celestial cities atanata, kusinata, parakusinata, natapuriya, etc. mentioned.

Mention of more Yakkhas viz. Tatola, the tattala, talatala, ojasi tejasi, tatojasi, suroraja, Aritthamemi is found. Information regarding all these types of varied beings were found in this sutta which is a great information for historians about ancient India.

The verses 40-42 again discusses natural beauties, animal, birds along with their melodious song are described like sound of peacock, parrot, myna are heard. Verse 43-45 describe king Kubera and his attendants among them are his sons.

Then from verse 46-48 a description of homage, worshipping the Blessed One, all the gathering are paying homage to him is found. Addressing him and paying homage to him, addressing him with various names like Gautama the conqueror, Buddha etc. verse 49 to 52 describe many name like Inda, Soma, Varuna, Bharadvaji, Pajapati, Candana, devasata Matali, Cittasena, Gandharba, Satagira, gula Sibah, gopala Hiri, mandiya etc. They are all ancient prominent tribes in ancient India who were worshipping Lord Buddha.

The Exalted one made an address to the brethren after the passes of the night, he asked them to learn by heart the Atanatiya words and grasp it completely which will bringforth good and the sisters of the order, laymen and lay women may live in peace, harmony and protection. These were the words spoken by the Enlightened one which pleased and delighted the brethren. This is how the Atanatiya suttanta comes to an end.

As the Atanatiya sutta was not completed in the third Bhanavara and carried forward in the fourth Bhanavara, therefore it is not possible to discuss it completely in the third Bhanavara. Thus the importance of this sutta has been discussed in details at the end of this fourth Bhanavara.

In this chapter we will discuss about the subject mater of fourth Bhanavara which contains the concluding part of the Atanatiya sutta.