The
Peacock's Prayer for Protections
(Mora Paritta) (1)
1. There
rises the golden hued one, the one who has sight, the one who
is sole monarch, the one who illuminates the earth (it is the
sun that is being addressed). I adore thee, the golden hued
one who illuminates the earth (it is the sun that is being addressed).
I adore thee, the golden hued one who illuminates the earth.
Protected by thee we live this day safe and secure.
2. May my
adoration be to those Brahmanas (2)
(the Buddhas) who have attained Enlightenment by comprehending
all Bhammas. May they protect me. May my adoration be
to the Buddhas (of the past), to their Enlightenment (the Four
Paths and the Four Fruits). May my adoration be to those supremely
secured from bondage (the Buddhas) and to their Deliverance.
Having made this protection, the peacock goes about seeking
(food).
3. There
descends the golden hued one, the one who has sight, the one
who is sole monarch, the one who illuminates the earth. I adore
thee, the golden hued one who illuminates the earth. Protected
by thee we live this night safe and secure.
4. May my
adoration be to those Brahmanas (the Buddhas) who have
attained Enlightenment by comprehending all Dhammas.
May they protect me. May my adoration be to the Buddhas (of
the past), to their Enlightenment. May my adoration be to those
supremely secured from bondage (the Buddhas) and to their Deliverance.
Having made this protection the peacock spent his life happily.
NOTES:
1. Jataka,
ii. 23; No. 159.
2. The word 'Brahmana' is used in the literal sense of
one who has unloaded the burden of evil (bahita papoti brahmano),
i.e. the Buddha, or an Arahant, the Consummate One. The word
Brahmana in the Brahmana Vagga (last chapter of the Dhammapada,
refers to the Arahant.