Reading guide
A boast refuted by presence, not by argument
Unlike SN 6.4's careful verbal dismantling of Baka's eternalist formula, this deity's claim — that no ascetic or brahmin can arrive here — is answered purely by demonstration: the Buddha simply shows up, seated in the fire element directly above him, the refutation complete before a single word is spoken.
Four disciples, each independently sensing where the Buddha is
The four great disciples don't arrive together as a planned group; each is described separately wondering ‘where is the Buddha staying at present’, locating him through clairvoyance, and then travelling independently — the same discovery made four times over, emphasizing how many of the Buddha's students possess this capacity, not merely one exceptional case.
A formation with real spatial precision
The four disciples don't simply cluster near the Buddha; the text places them with geometric specificity — Moggallāna east, Kassapa south, Kappina west, Anuruddha north — each seated lower than the Buddha, constructing a deliberate mandala-like arrangement rather than an incidental gathering.
A view already changing, before the exchange even concludes
Moggallāna's verse question asks whether the deity still holds his old view; the deity's own answer admits it has already shifted — he now sees ‘the radiance surpassing the realm of divinity’ — the demonstration itself, not further persuasion, having done the actual work of correction.
A closing exchange that measures the deity's own progress
After the Buddha departs, the deity's own question to Moggallāna — are there others with power comparable to you four? — is answered not with a competitive ranking but with a simple affirmation that many of the Buddha's disciples share these qualities, a response the deity receives with evident satisfaction rather than further resistance.
Key terms
The text
§1At Sāvatthī. Now at that time a certain divinity had the following harmful misconception: “No ascetic or brahmin can come here!” Then the Buddha knew that divinity’s train of thought. As easily as a strong person would extend or contract their arm, he vanished from Jeta’s Grove and reappeared in that realm of divinity. Then the Buddha sat cross-legged in the air above that Divinity, having entered upon the fire element.
§2Then Venerable Mahāmoggallāna thought, “Where is the Buddha staying at present?” With clairvoyance that is purified and superhuman, he saw the Buddha seated cross-legged in the air above that Divinity, having entered upon the fire element. Then, as easily as a strong person would extend or contract their arm, he vanished from Jeta’s Grove and reappeared in that realm of divinity. Then Mahāmoggallāna—positioning himself in the east, below the Buddha—sat cross-legged in the air above that Divinity, having entered upon the fire element.
§3Then Venerable Mahākassapa … positioned himself in the south … Venerable Mahākappina … positioned himself in the west … Venerable Anuruddha … positioned himself in the north, below the Buddha, sitting cross-legged in the air above that Divinity, having entered upon the fire element.
§4Then Mahāmoggallāna addressed that Divinity in verse: “Good sir, do you still have the same view that you had in the past? Or do you see the radiance surpassing the realm of divinity?” “Good fellow, I don’t have that view that I had in the past. I see the radiance surpassing the realm of divinity. So how could I say today that I am permanent and eternal?”
§5Having inspired a sense of awe in the Divinity, as easily as a strong person would extend or contract their arm, the Buddha vanished from the realm of divinity and reappeared in Jeta’s Grove.
§6Then that Divinity addressed a member of his retinue, “Please, good fellow, go up to Venerable Mahāmoggallāna and say to him: ‘Moggallāna my good fellow, are there any other disciples of the Buddha who have power and might comparable to the worthies Moggallāna, Kassapa, Kappina, and Anuruddha?’” “Yes, good fellow,” replied that retinue member. He went to Moggallāna and asked as instructed.
§7“There are many disciples of the Buddha who have the three knowledges, and have attained psychic power, expert in encompassing minds, they’re perfected ones with defilements ended.”
§8Then that member of the retinue of Divinity, having approved and agreed with what Mahāmoggallāna said, went to that Divinity and said to him, “Good fellow, Venerable Mahāmoggallāna said this: ‘There are many disciples of the Buddha who have the three knowledges, and have attained psychic power, expert in encompassing minds, they’re perfected ones with defilements ended.’” That’s what that member of the retinue of Divinity said. Satisfied, that Divinity approved what the member of his retinue said.
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