Suttas relating to the protection of Moon and Sun

By Premasara EPASINGHE

Both Chanda and Suriya Pirith Suttas were uttered by the Buddha – the Enlightened One, while soujouring at Savatthi, Jetavanarama, built by Anathapindika, the great benefactor and lay devotee of the Buddha. At that time, Moon (Chandra) was firmly seized by Rahu. In the same way the Sun (Suriya) too was grasped by Rahu the Lord of Asuras.

The divine sons Moon and Sun remembering the Blessed One (Buddha), sought assistance to overcome the state of obstruction both had experienced. The Chanda paritta – the Protection of the Moon consists of four stanzas or verses and Suriya paritta has five stanzas.

The additional verse or stanzas in Suriya Piritha reads thus:

Yo Andhakare Tamasi Pabhamkaro
Verolano, Mandali Uggatejo
Ma Rahu Gile Caram Antalikkhe
Pajam Mama Rahu Paminca Suriyanti

(Who, in complete darkness (night) brings

light, in shining, circular of great majesty,
O Rahu, do not swallow the Sun, in the sky, O Rahu release Sun, my son)

Scientific aspects

Let's now analyse the scientific aspects of these two; Moon – natural satellite of a planet, in particular the natural satellite of the Planet Earth. Apart from the Sun, it is the brightest object in the sky as seen from the Earth, being at a mean distance of only 384,000 km (239,000m).

Its diameter is 3476 km (2160 m). As the Moon orbits the Earth, it goes through a sequence of phases.

The Sun is the centre of our solar system, around which all other solar system bodies revolve in their orbits. The Sun is a typical average star.

It consists 70 per cent Hydrogen, by weight, 28 per cent Helium, with the remainder mostly Oxygen and Carbon. Its temperature, pressure density increased towards the centre.

In both these two Suttas the opening stanzas are the same

“Namo Te Buddhvira'tthu
Vippamutto'si Sabbadhi
Sambadhapatpanno'smi
Tassa Me Saranam Bhava” Ji.

(“O Buddha hero, may my worship be to you. You are specially freed from everything – all the Aggregates (Khadhas etc.).

I have attained a state of obstruction.
Be a Refuse unto myself.)

In the second stanza:
Tathagatam Arahatam
Chandima (Moon) - Suriyo (Sun) Gato
Rahu Candam (Moon) – Suriyam (Sun) Pamuncassu
Buddha Lokanukampaka Tu.
(“To the wayfarer, the worthy one,

Moon – Sun – has gone for Refuge,
O'Rahu, release Moon – Sun,
The Buddhas are compassionate towards the world)

King of Asuras

Then the Rahu – the Lord of Asuras released the Moon – Sun – hurriedly the King of the Asuras – Vepacitti, Meeting him, agitated with the hair of the body standing on end – Lomahatthajato – stood on a side. Vepacitti, spoke to Rahu .

“Why as though agitated, Rahu,
did you release Moon – Sun. Having come here as though stirred,
Why do you stand as though in fear?

In the last stanza Rahu answered thus: in both Canda and Suriya Parittam – Protection of the Moon and Sun:

Sattadha Me Phale Muddha
Jivanto Na Sukham Labhe
Buddhagathabhigito’ M Hi
No Ce Munceyya Chandimanti / Suriyan’ Ti
The stanza means - “Into seven parts my head will split,
Living, I shall not get any Happiness
I have sung stanzas by the Buddha
That is what will happen to me
If I would not release Moon – Sun.

The vibratory sounds produced by Pirith are soothing to the nerves. It transmits and produces a state of peace of mind and brings harmony to the system. Also, the recital of Paritta Suttas results in material blessings through mental states caused by concentration and confidence in listening intelligently to the recital.

Pirith Pothvahanse – the Book of Paritta or Protection is a collection of 23 Suttas or Discourses all delivered by the Blessed One.

The most popular among them are Mangala Sutta (Good Omen Discourse), Ratana Sutta (The Jewel Discourse), Karaniyametta Sutta (loving universal kindness).

The other important Suttas are Dhammacakkapavattana Sutta (setting in motion of the Wheel of Truth) Saccha – Vibhanga (Analysis of Four Truths) Bojjhangas, the seven factions of Enlightenment.

Pirith Sutra recital is a form of Saccakiriya of depending on the truth for Protection, justification or Attainment.

In short “The Power of Truth Protects a Follower of the Truth” - Dhammo Have Rakkhati Dhammacarim is the principle behind these Suttas.