2.藏譯英The Application of Mindfulness of the Sacred Dharma, Saddharma smṛtyupasthāna https://read.84000.co/translation/toh287.html.
畜生品第五之三
復次，比丘知業果報，觀於第四阿修羅地。彼以聞慧見：有畜生阿修羅地，在三地下二萬一千由旬，名曰不動，其地廣博六萬由旬，城名鋡毘羅，縱廣一萬三千由旬，莊嚴妙好。阿修羅王名鉢呵娑，阿修羅眾名一切忍。是阿修羅王於諸阿修羅中得勝自在。
3. 184 “Next, the monk who has knowledge of the ripening of the effects of karmic actions will examine the fourth level of the asuras. Through knowledge derived from hearing he will perceive this fourth level of the asuras, which is included in the animal realm, and is known as Immovable. This level extends twenty-one thousand leagues across, and in its center lies the city of Beauty, measuring eight thousand leagues. The abode measures thirteen thousand leagues. 241 Within the city resides the asura king called Overjoyed. The asuras that inhabit this realm are known as the cheerful; they have great powers, yet their king is far more powerful than they are.
安樂勇健，光明威德自在無畏，尚不畏於帝釋天王，況於餘天，有大力勢，放逸憍慢，住一切地下，從此以下更無住處。
He is completely at ease, stable, powerful, and in possession of miraculous powers. He is also completely fearless and not intimidated by anything in the world, including Śakra. With special vigor, he has developed great haughtiness. His realm is located deep below the earth. From there it is impossible to go any deeper, because it rests upon a jewel ground.
是阿修羅王所住之處，摩尼寶珠以為其地，心常歡悅，如人節會喜樂自娛，多諸愛慢，以眾蓮花、流泉浴池周遍莊嚴。鋡毘羅城七寶宮殿以為莊嚴。
3. 185 “The inhabitants of this realm are constantly joyous, cheerful, and happy, yet their minds are also very distracted and absorbed in various obsessions. [F.25.a] And so, this distinct fourth realm is far more enjoyable than the city of Profound. Featuring lotus ponds, pools, cascades, gardens, ornamental fences, and mansions made of the seven precious substances, this city is unrivaled.
離諸怨敵，互相親善，無他怖畏，受第一樂。此第四地鋡毘羅城，園林流池蓮花莊嚴，七寶宮殿端嚴殊妙，如星處空端嚴殊妙亦復如是。
Those who live therein are all on friendly terms, free from any animosity or fear of rivalry. The city is like a second sky, because just as the sky is adorned with planets, stars, and other celestial bodies, this city is decorated and adorned with many different jewels.
伽他頌曰：
心能造作一切業，由心故有一切果，如是種種諸心行，能得種種諸果報。cf. Dhs.11.18-20
3. 186 “At this point, there are some verses: “It is observed that all actions depend on the mind And that the effects of actions depend on the mind. It is observed that just as the mind is varied, Such is also the case with effects.
心為一切巧畫師，能於三界起眾行，為心所使遍諸趣，處處受生無窮已。
3. 187 “The three worlds of existence follow And all are painted by the mind. Here, there is never a single place That is not governed by the mind.
心為繫縛解脫本，是故說心為第一，為善則能得解脫，造惡不善則被縛，
3. 188 “Mind is the basis and cause of Both liberation and bondage. By virtue beings are liberated; By nonvirtue they are quickly bound.
如是心意使眾生，流轉行於三界海。愚癡愛結自在故，心使眾生流轉行。
3. 189 “Thus, due to the power of mind, Sentient beings wander through the three existences. Dulled by craving, beings move Under the control of their minds.
不能到彼涅槃城，如生盲人失正路。cf. Dhs.11.21
3. 190 “Like the blind who fail to see the good path, They fail to attain the transcendence of suffering.
如是眾生作種種業，是故彼城受種種報，是第四地。
3. 191 “Thus, the more sentient beings succeed in practicing the true path, the more such various causes will make them experience different forms of agreeable realms.
於其城外園林流池周匝圍遶，河泉蓮花、眾鳥異類莊嚴第四阿修羅地所住之處。一切忍阿修羅等，勇健無畏、第一端正莊嚴其身，共相娛樂不相惱亂，心常悅樂猶如節會。與眾婇女種種莊嚴，一一徒眾眷屬圍遶，或百或千，遊戲嬉樂。
3. 192 “The outskirts of that city within that realm are delightful, ornamented by trees, groves, ponds, villages, lotus pools, various rivers, and hundreds of beautiful species of birds. The asuras that inhabit that fourth abode are called the cheerful because they are steadfast, undaunted, always dressed in the finest robes and most exquisite ornaments, [F.25.b] free from the slightest animosity toward one another, and always happy and joyous. Surrounded by groups of women who wear exquisite garments and ornaments, they enjoy themselves, frolic, and partake of pleasures in hundreds and thousands of ways.
其地皆以摩尼真珠以為婇女，光明晃燿。諸阿修羅恭敬尊重鉢呵娑阿修羅王，瞻仰無厭。雖受樂報，無常敗散。
3. 193 “Moreover, this fourth realm is always adorned with females who proffer jewels, and the cheerful asuras always adhere to the command of their asura king, Overjoyed. Although their minds are scattered, he maintains control because they heed his command.
復次，比丘知業果報，觀一切忍阿修羅王所受果報。以何業故，生於彼處？即以聞慧見：此眾生於人中時，邪見覆心不識業果，離佛法僧，見第一精進持戒之人欲有所須，來從乞求，辛苦乞索，乃施一食。
3. 194 “Next, the monk who has knowledge of the ripening of the effects of karmic actions will examine the karmic ripening pertaining to the asura king Overjoyed. He will wonder, ‘What karmic action may cause such a birth?’ With knowledge derived from hearing he will then see how some people, who in the past were attached to wrong views, ignorant about the effects of actions, and averse to the Buddha, Dharma, and Saṅgha, may nevertheless offer a meal to a traveling monk, who is disciplined and diligent, when they are earnestly requested to do so.
既施食已，而作是言：我施汝食，有何福德？我以癡故，施汝此食。汝下賤人不應出家，以食施汝，如以種子投之沙鹵。
In retrospect, such a person may think, ‘This donation of food was pointless, and it will bring me nothing good in return. Feeding a commoner like him, who has taken a perverse form of ordination, is as useless as making a donation to a piece of salty soil.’ Thus, although the recipient is filled with good qualities and the gift is of help to others, the donation becomes a spoiled and thorn-like gift.
如是難施，身壞命終，以此難施，墮於惡道。不淨布施，以福田功德生於第一安樂之處，眾寶莊嚴，受畜生報，生不動界作阿修羅，名一切忍。謂與天等，勝餘一切阿修羅王，一切樂具皆悉具足。以施福田得如是報，非自心生。
Hence, when such people separate from their bodies, they will fall into the lower realms and be born as an animal that lives in an extremely rich environment adorned with jewels: the realm known as Immovable. As the act of giving to a field endowed with tremendous qualities, without mentally acknowledging that, comes to ripen, one will take birth in a situation like that of Overjoyed, the lord of the cheerful asuras, with all his pleasures. [B23] [F.26.a]
復次，比丘知業果報，觀一切忍阿修羅眾業及果報。以何業報，生一切忍阿修羅地？即以聞慧知：此眾生愛著美味，住林樹間，護此林樹，非為眾生，自活命故；非有悲心，為自利益身命因緣，護一切林。以是因緣，身壞命終生一切忍阿修羅中。
3. 195 “Next, the monk who has knowledge of the ripening of the effects of karmic actions will inquire into the karmic ripening that pertains to the cheerful asuras. He will wonder, ‘What karmic actions may cause birth among the cheerful asuras?’ With knowledge derived from hearing he will then see how some people, who live in a forest filled with animals, are attached to the tastes of craving. Such people will think, ‘I shall not let anyone gather the animals in this forest, nor shall I let anyone herd them. Rather, I shall keep this forest to myself.’ Thus, out of love for the animals and due to a wish to live from collecting honey, such a person will then proceed to collect it. When such people later separate from their bodies, they will be born among the asuras, and the ripening of the act of protecting sentient beings for the sake of their livelihood will cause them to become cheerful asuras.
復次，比丘知業果報，觀阿修羅與天共鬪。即以聞慧觀：法行龍王住戲樂城，龍王頂上有七頭，其名曰婆修吉龍王、德叉迦龍王、跋陀龍王、樓醯龍王、雲鬘龍王、婆都龍王、一切道龍王、鉢呵娑龍王、婆利沙龍王。此諸龍王正見順法，樂離放逸，如上所說。
3. 196 “Next, the monk who has knowledge of the ripening of the effects of karmic actions will examine the war between the gods and the asuras. With knowledge derived from hearing he will notice the seven-headed nāga leaders, who are righteous and follow the Dharma, living at Endowed with Enjoyments. They are the nāga king Vāsuki, the nāga king Takṣaka, the nāga king Bhadraka, the nāga king Rohina, the nāga king Meghamālin, the nāga king Expanse, the nāga king Ahi, the nāga king Joyous, and the nāga king Rainfall. They are all righteous and follow the Dharma. They possess the right view and observe spiritual discipline.
時不順法非法惡龍王——鉢摩梯龍王、毘諶林婆龍王、迦邏龍王、睺樓睺樓龍王等，既為如法龍王所壞。
When they defeat the nāga kings who are unrighteous and do not follow the Dharma, such as the nāga king Pramatha, the nāga king Aṭopa, the nāga king Kāla, and the nāga king Huluhulu, the latter will flee to their dwellings below the surface of the earth, on Mount Sumeru, or within the waters. [F.26.b]
即走往趣第一住處雙遊戲阿修羅所，作如是言：速來，速來！同伴當知！婆修吉龍王、德叉迦龍王及四天王破壞我等，汝今是我之所親友，何不相助？
3. 197 “At that time the asuras who dwell on the first level will tell the asuras in Double Pleasure, ‘The nāga kings Vāsuki, Takṣaka, and so on, are joined by the gods of the Four Great Kings, and now they inflict harm upon us. You must rush to our assistance!’
時遊戲阿修羅聞是語已，即詣光明城至羅睺阿修羅所，到已具說上事。若羅睺阿修羅王知世間人修行正法、供養沙門、知恩報恩，語鉢摩梯等惡龍王言：且住一月，遮彼婆修吉、德叉迦龍王。
3. 198 “When they hear this, the asuras in Double Pleasure will journey to the asura city Radiant and the residence of the asura king Rāhu. In the same way as before, they will report everything to Rāhu, king of the asuras. If at that time Rāhu knows that people respect mendicants, respect brahmins, return kindness, and have respect for their elders, he will now tell Pramatha and other such nāga kings that asuras of the second level have come to call upon him because the gods are hurting them. He will then instruct the nāga kings, ‘Go stop the nāga king Takṣaka and the rest! Go stop them!’
我當告彼第二住處阿修羅王無惱汝等，廣說如上。時陀摩睺阿修羅聞是語已，入星鬘城至阿修羅王所，作如是言：大王！羅睺阿修羅王遣使告我，作如是言：婆修吉龍王、德叉迦諸龍王及四天王惱亂鉢摩梯。
3. 199 “Next, the asura king Rāhu will tell the necklace asuras who reside on the second level that the nāga king Pramatha and the rest are being attacked by nāga kings such as Takṣaka and the gods of the realm of the Four Great Kings. When they hear this news, the necklace asuras will inform the royal ruler of the asuras who resides in the asura city known as Star Garland, saying, ‘O great king, the asura ruler Rāhu, the nāga king Pramatha, and others have told us that nāga kings such as Pramatha are under siege from nāga kings such as Takṣaka and Vāsuki, along with the gods of the realm of the Four Great Kings.’
時第二地勇健阿修羅王聞是事已，即自觀察：有力、無力？若閻浮提人修行正法、供養沙門及婆羅門，自知無力，答彼使言：天有大力。所以者何？閻浮提人修行正法。我今當往告第三處，為一切行阿修羅廣說上事。
3. 200 “As the asura ruler receives this message, if people respect mendicants and brahmins [F.27.a] and follow the Dharma, he will look at the level of his own powers and then say to the necklace asuras, ‘Alas, the people of Jambudvīpa are righteous and follow the Dharma, and therefore the gods areextremely strong. I shall now pass this full message to the asuras who live on the third level.’ He will then inform the so-called ever-present asuras, and the latter will travel to the asura ruler Puṣpamāla, who resides in the city of Profound, and convey the entire message to him.
時勇健阿修羅即往告彼第三住處阿修羅眾，時一切行阿修羅聞是語已，入鋡毘羅城至花鬘阿修羅王所，復說上事。花鬘阿修羅王即觀閻浮提人，若有供養沙門、婆羅門者，告一切行阿修羅言：我當告彼第四住處阿修羅等。
3. 201 “At that time King Puṣpamāla may see that people are righteous and follow the Dharma, and he may see that people respect mendicants and brahmins. In that case he will tell those asuras that he is going to inform the asuras who live on the fourth level. The ruler of the asuras of the third level will then travel to the assembly of the asuras of the fourth level.
時第三地阿修羅即向第四地阿修羅所，說如是言：婆修吉、德叉迦與四天王，共破我伴諸龍王等，我今當為彼諸天眾作大衰惱。
There, he will say, ‘Pramatha and other such nāga kings are under siege from Takṣaka, Vāsuki, and other nāga kings, who are assisted by the gods of the realm of the Four Great Kings. Those nāgas are on our side, so we must definitely attempt to create obstacles for the gods.’
時第四處阿修羅眾聞是語已，即向鋡毘羅城，至鉢呵娑阿修羅王所。時鉢呵娑告諸阿修羅：何故速行？即答如上，時鉢呵娑告諸阿修羅眾：羅睺阿修羅等，無所能為，令四天王破壞鉢摩梯諸龍王等。世間順法，供養沙門及婆羅門，何所能為？我能壞之。
3. 202 “When the armies of the asuras of the fourth level make the same observation as before, they will go before the asura ruler Overjoyed, who resides in the city of Profound. When the latter beholds the approaching asuras, he will ask them what their mission is, and the asura armies will pass on the message to the asura ruler Overjoyed. Having received their message, the asura king Overjoyed will proclaim to the assembled asura rulers, ‘Alas, the asura ruler Rāhu has little vigor, and hence the subjects of nāga kings such as Pramatha [F.27.b] have been defeated by the gods of the realm of the Four Great Kings. Now, let us not be overly concerned by the fact that people respect mendicants and brahmins and that they practice the Dharma.’
時鉢呵娑阿修羅王至大眾阿修羅所告言：速疾莊嚴，我今欲往婆修吉、德叉迦等四天王所，破其軍眾。時諸阿修羅王以無等力，率諸軍眾與天共鬪。
3. 203 “Next, the asura ruler Overjoyed will go before his own assembly of asuras and say to his armies, ‘Sally forth and create obstacles for the nāga kings such as Takṣaka and Vāsuki, and for the gods of the realm of the Four Great Kings! The vigor, enthusiasm, and retinue of the king of asuras are unrivaled, so let us wage war with the gods! Asuras, quickly, ready yourselves! Quickly, ready yourselves!’
時鉢呵娑阿修羅王告諸阿修羅言：汝等何故，無有勇力不能破彼諸龍王等，而自破壞？我今當往，自以身力破彼龍天。
3. 204 “To the other three rulers of the asuras, the asura ruler Overjoyed will then say, ‘How could you accept this state of affairs? Have you no diligence? Have you no courage? Since I hold both power and vigor in my own hands, I will act!’
時鉢呵娑阿修羅王勅其軍眾：速疾莊嚴，執諸器仗。我今不久，與天共鬪，汝等先見與天怨敵，不久當發。我已告諸阿修羅眾，天不可忍，當與彼戰。
3. 205 “Before long the asura king Overjoyed will call upon his own asuras: ‘Friends, quickly, ready yourselves! Quickly, ready yourselves! I have already called upon all the kings of the asuras. Now that you know that I act quickly and carry arms, you must enter the war of the asuras with fervor. Now that we know their intentions, we must do what needs to be done. We shall no longer accept defeat by the gods!’
時諸阿修羅知是事已，即自莊嚴種種器仗。是時大力波羅呵娑阿修羅王自以勇力大心無畏，不量自力、他力優劣，自出其城，至第三地詣鋡毘羅城，到花鬘阿修羅王所。時鉢呵娑阿修羅王與無量億那由他諸阿修羅，到花鬘阿修羅所作如是言：速起，速起！為鬪戰故。我等能破婆修吉、德叉迦等諸龍王及天王等。
3. 206 “With great vigor, strong confidence, vast intelligence, and without any regard for the level of his own strength relative to that of others, the asura ruler Overjoyed will then leave his own asura realm and travel to the third level. In the city of Profound, 242 he will go before the asura ruler Puṣpamāla, who reigns over many trillions of asuras. [F.28.a] With a fervent mind, he will say the following words: ‘Takṣaka, Vāsuki, and other such nāga kings must be defeated! The asuras shall march forth into battle!’
時花鬘阿修羅王聞是語已，告諸軍眾：今非鬪時。所以者何？閻浮提人孝養父母、恭敬沙門、修行正法，以是事故，天有大力。是故我今非是鬪時。
3. 207 “To this Puṣpamāla will reply, ‘The time has not yet come for us to wage battle. People respect their mothers and fathers, and they respect their elders. They respect mendicants and brahmins, and they practice the Dharma. The forces of the gods are therefore strong, so today is not the right time for us to go to war.’
時鉢呵娑阿修羅王聞花鬘阿修羅王說是語已，告言：速起，速起！我能獨破婆修吉等，及諸天眾。何況汝等為我同伴。
3. 208 “In response to this unpleasant message, the asura king Overjoyed will reply, ‘I could defeat those nāgas and gods single-handedly, so if you also come along, they will surely fall. Therefore, let the asura kings march forth!’
時花鬘阿修羅王聞其所說，威力增長心生歡喜，及其無量億那由他阿修羅眾，詣第二地。
3. 209 “Inspired by those words, Puṣpamāla will now join ranks with an army of many millions of asuras and together they will proceed to the second level.
時鉢呵娑阿修羅王、勇健阿修羅王、花鬘阿修羅王相隨往詣羅睺阿修羅所告言：速起，速起！阿修羅王為鬪戰故、破諸天故。
Overjoyed, Firm, and Puṣpamāla will proceed to call upon the asura ruler Rāhu: ‘We shall defeat the gods! Let the asuras march into battle!’
時羅睺阿修羅王告諸阿修羅王言：我等今者，非是鬪時。所以者何？閻浮提人孝養父母，恭敬沙門、婆羅門，生於天上，令天大力，是故不得與天共鬪。阿修羅王以非時故，時諸阿修羅王語羅睺阿修羅言：速起，速起！我為鬪故而來至此，欲與天鬪。
3. 210 “In reply the asura ruler Rāhu will say, ‘Alas, rulers of the asuras, the time has not yet come. It is not time for us to wage war. In Jambudvīpa people are righteous and follow the Dharma. They respect their mothers, their fathers, mendicants, and brahmins. When such people die, they are reborn as gods, and in this way the gods have become so powerful that we cannot defeat them. The time of the asuras has not yet come.’ “However, all the others will unanimously declare, ‘We eagerly anticipate that war with the gods. Let us march!’
時羅睺阿修羅王即隨其意，起欲往詣大海，告鉢摩梯惡龍王等，說如是言：諸阿修羅王今欲破彼婆修吉、德叉迦諸龍王等。
3. 211 “In accord with those sentiments, the asura ruler Rāhu [F.28.b] will proceed to enter the ocean and hasten to the realms of Pramatha and other such nāga kings. There, he will tell them, ‘We asura kings are on our way! We will wage war on Takṣaka, Vāsuki, and those other nāga kings!’
時鉢摩梯聞是語已，心大歡喜，即往婆修吉、德叉迦所告言：汝來同伴，汝今可出，吾共汝戰，住何處鬪。時婆修吉、德叉迦龍王即出其城，與鉢摩梯惡龍共戰，非法龍王破壞還退。
3. 212 “Hearing this, Pramatha will be overjoyed, and he will therefore join ranks to face Takṣaka, Vāsuki, and the other nāga kings in battle. Meanwhile, the remaining nāga kings will also prepare for war and proceed to the battlefield. As the war rages, the unrighteous nāga rulers will soon face defeat.
時無量億阿修羅眾速疾馳奔，詣龍王所，欲共鬪戰。時婆修吉、德叉迦復出其城，與阿修羅在大海上交陣鬪戰，不可稱說。於虛空中，或雨大火、或雨刀戟互相攻伐，愛毒自燒，以愚癡故如是鬪諍。
As they are losing, many millions of asuras will now come racing forward. Still, when Takṣaka, Vāsuki, and the others see the advancing army, they will themselves race forth to fight. At this point, these nāgas and the infinitely numerous asuras will clash at sea. As the battle rages, fire and weapons will pour down like a ceaseless rain. This is how those beings who are afflicted by black poison and inferior attitudes wage war upon each other.
若閻浮提人順法修行，孝養父母，恭敬沙門、婆羅門，一法行龍則能獨破一切阿修羅軍；若世間人行法者少，則阿修羅勝，法行龍退。
3. 213 “If at that time people are righteous, follow the Dharma, and respect mendicants and brahmins, the nāgas will decisively vanquish the asuras. However, if people are entirely unrighteous, the asuras will defeat the nāgas.
若龍破壞，即往詣於天使者所告言：速來，速來！一切阿修羅眾悉來伐我，我與彼戰，敗失不如。時天使者聞是語已，種種器仗而自莊嚴。
3. 214 “When in that way the nāgas have lost the war, they will cry out to the wandering gods, ‘Those subterranean beings have done us harm! We cannot defeat them in battle, so you must come quickly! You must come quickly!’ “The wandering gods will then take up their various arms and equipment [F.29.a] and proceed to where the asuras are assembled.
向婆修吉、德叉迦龍王所，作如是說：我聞汝為阿修羅王之所破壞，是故至此破阿修羅軍。
3. 215 “Having gone before Takṣaka, Vāsuki, and other such nāga kings, the wandering gods will tell them, ‘Today we have come to destroy the asuras. Join us in our endeavor to crush them.’
時天使者與龍王俱詣阿修羅所，欲共鬪戰。時羅睺阿修羅王聞是事已，亦向天所，在大海上列陣而戰。若世間人順法修行，時天使者即能速疾破阿修羅眾。時阿修羅既被破已，還其宮城。
3. 216 “At this time, the nāgas and the gods will together proceed to where the asura ruler Rāhu dwells. As the asuras see them, they will rush forth to attack, and the gods and asuras will wage battle at sea. If at that time humans are righteous and follow the Dharma, the wandering gods will soon defeat the asuras. Defeated, the asuras will then retreat to the residence of the asura ruler Rāhu.
時第二地阿修羅眾聞是事已，告諸軍眾：汝等勿怖，我身尚存，能討彼天，汝何所畏？時阿修羅即復疾走詣天使者，興大鬪戰，於大海中交陣共鬪。天復得勝，壞阿修羅軍。
3. 217 “When the asuras who inhabit the second level see that their forces have been vanquished, they will say, ‘Why do the asuras flee when we line up for battle? Why do the asuras flee?’ They will then race forth to meet the gods in battle, and a terribly destructive war will rage between the gods and the asuras in the middle of the ocean. When the gods emerge victorious, they will completely crush the asura army.
阿修羅軍既被破壞，時第三地阿修羅眾聞其被破，即向天所，與天共戰，迭互相害。若天破壞，即向護世四天迦留天所，作如是言：提婆天王！速疾馳赴，阿修羅眾嬈亂我等。
3. 218 “At that moment, the asuras who live upon the earth, finding themselves surrounded by terror, will also come forth to face the gods. As the gods see the terrifying asura army, they will assemble for battle. The asuras will then march on the gods, and a great battle will rage back and forth. If at that time the gods are defeated, the guardians of the world [F.29.b] will journey to the land of the vessel-bearer gods, bringing them the message, ‘The gods have done us harm. You must rush forth! You must rush forth!’
時迦留天持諸器仗，即往詣彼阿修羅所。時阿修羅見天眾來，生大瞋恚，疾詣天所，與迦留天眾合陣大鬪，見者毛竪。一切世間鬪戰大者，無過天與阿修羅戰，無可喻者。
3. 219 “In retaliation, the vessel-bearer gods will sally forth to meet the asuras in battle, brandishing their various arms and equipment. When the asuras see the gods, they will become infuriated and launch an attack. The gods and asuras will then fight what is called the hair-raising battle, a conflict unlike any other.
若諸世間順法修行，迦留天則得大勝，壞阿修羅。如是諸天與阿修羅無量大眾鬪於大海，無可喻者。以法、非法因緣力故，有勝有退，非其自力。
3. 220 “If the people are righteous and follow the Dharma, the vessel-bearer gods will triumph over the asuras. Thus, as they fight this extremely destructive battle in the middle of the ocean, it is a war between Dharma and non-Dharma, a battle unlike any other.
若迦留天為彼所壞，時護世天即往告彼鬘持天眾。時鬘持天與迦留天及天使者及德叉迦、婆修吉等無量大眾和合共集。時羅睺阿修羅王住光明城，第一地雙遊戲阿修羅、陀摩睺阿修羅與無量億那由他阿僧祇阿修羅眾同為一軍，與天共鬪，不可稱說。
3. 221 “If the vessel-bearer gods should lose that battle, the guardians of the world will go before the garland-bearer gods and demand of them, ‘Defeat the asuras!’ Having investigated the asuras, the garland bearers will then rush to assistance. Thus, the wandering gods, the vessel bearers, and the garland bearers will unite and join forces with Takṣaka, Vāsuki, and the others. On the opposing side the asuras of the realm of Rāhu, the city of Radiant, Double Pleasure, and the second level, as well as the ‘necklaces,’ will gather. In this way, many billions of asuras will unite to fight.
若世間人順法修行，天眾則勝，阿修羅軍退散破壞，一切皆由法之力勢，令天得勝，不由非法。若無順法行人，則阿修羅勝。
3. 222 “If at that time the people are righteous and follow the Dharma, the gods will be victorious and the asuras will be defeated. [F.30.a] Therefore, when people rely on the Dharma, everything will turn out well, but how could that ever be the case if people do not rely on the Dharma? If people are unrighteous and do not follow the Dharma, the forces of the asuras will triumph.
護世四天見是事已，往詣常恣意天所，作如是言：速疾莊嚴，阿修羅軍勝於天眾。
In that case, when the guardians of the world have witnessed the asura army, they will go before the ever-infatuated gods and say, ‘Gods, the forces of the asuras have won, and so you must now rush forth! You must rush forth!’
常恣意天聞是語已，與無量百千天眾持種種器仗，欲詣大海與阿修羅鬪，住大海中厲聲大叫，欲望速破阿修羅軍，更互合戰，經於多時，大惡鬪戰，無量苦惱。
3. 223 “Having received this message, the ever-infatuated gods will come forth to crush the asuras. Brandishing their weapons and equipment, many hundreds of thousands of them will head to sea to defeat the asuras. With terrifying laughter, they will surge into action and, as the two sides clash in a horrifying battle, much destruction and harm will ensue.
若阿修羅為天所破，即往向彼羅睺阿修羅所具說上事。時羅睺阿修羅王安慰諸阿修羅言：汝今莫怖，汝今莫畏。我有大力能壞天眾，天力劣弱，我力勝彼。阿修羅！汝等可迴。
3. 224 “If at that time the gods are victorious over the asuras, the latter will retreat to the realm of the asura ruler Rāhu. However, Rāhu, ruler of the asuras, will tell them, ‘Friends, why would you flee as long as we are in your army? Why would you flee? The gods are few and no better than you. They have little endurance so we can still defeat them. Therefore, lords of asuras, return! Return!’
諸阿修羅聞羅睺阿修羅王說是語已，即復還迴，欲與天鬪。是時諸天與阿修羅列陣大戰，無量刀戟互相打斫，如是大戰，時第一地雙遊戲阿修羅、第二地陀摩睺阿修羅與諸天眾，對敵共戰。
3. 225 “When they hear these orders from the asura ruler Rāhu, the asuras will return to fight the gods, and thus the gods and asuras will continue to raise arms and wage a vicious war against each other. All the asuras of the second level, of Double Pleasure, of the third level, and of the necklace class will then return to fight the gods.
若諸世間不順法行，阿修羅勝，天眾則退；若諸世間修行正法，天眾則勝，悉能破壞阿修羅軍。如是法者，是天勝幢，法為第一、法為能救。若行非法，行非法者，非法不救。一切阿修羅行非法故。
3. 226 “If at that time people are unrighteous and do not follow the Dharma, [F.30.b] the asuras will defeat the gods. Yet if people are righteous and follow the Dharma, the gods will conquer the asuras. Thus, the gods are Dharmaleaders; they are banners of the Dharma and patrons of the Dharma. The asuras all lack the Dharma; they rely on non-Dharma and are not protected by the Dharma.
天作是念：阿修羅王惱亂我等，既不勝天，不與天等。何以故？閻浮提人孝養父母，隨順法行，恭敬種姓耆舊有德，淨修八齋，布施持戒修行福德，不行放逸、不近惡友，是人命終生於天上。阿修羅非法無法。救護一切天眾。
3. 227 “At this point, the gods will think, ‘How could the asuras inflict any harm upon us? They are not our superiors, nor are they even our equals. In Jambudvīpa, people still respect their mothers and fathers, and they are righteous and follow the Dharma. They serve their elders. They maintain their training and practice. They are generous, create merit, and are duly conscientious. When these beings who are duly conscientious die, they will be reborn among the gods. Hence, there is no way for the traditions of the asuras to spread or thrive.’
思惟是已，時天使者、鬘持天、常恣意天、一切天眾持天法幢，速疾馳往，向阿修羅軍而語之言：住，住！阿修羅！我住天中，汝等何故數惱我等？汝既不能勝諸天力，又非第一，非汝兵戈能勝諸天。我今為欲破汝軍眾故來至此，以汝惡心於諸天故，不得至汝所住宮城。以汝一切不行正法，不得安樂、不得寂滅。如是說已，直趣其所，一切決勇，雨大刀戟，婆修吉等雨大焰火，墮阿修羅軍。
3. 228 “With this insight, the wandering gods, the garland bearers, 243 and the ever-infatuated gods will raise the victory banner of the Dharma and then storm down on the asura army, shouting, ‘Stop! Stop! Why do you pester us? Your army is no better than ours, you are not our superiors, and you do not have any more weapons than us. We are all set to demolish you, so do not walk into this abyss! Aggressors who are unrighteous and who do not follow the Dharma will never find happiness or be free from pain!’ [F.31.a] Thus, joining forces with the nāgas such as Vāsuki and Takṣaka, they will charge toward the asuras and let a rain of weapons and military implements pour down on them.
時阿修羅見是事已，即喚鉢摩梯諸惡龍等：汝為我伴，當與德叉迦、婆修吉大龍王等雨火共戰。
3. 229 “The asuras will proceed to examine the nāgas and will say to Pramatha and the other nāga kings who are unrighteous and do not follow the Dharma, ‘You belong to our side, so come forth and wage war on the nāga kings Vāsuki, Takṣaka, and so on.’
時鉢摩梯聞是語已，即走往趣婆修吉所，時二部龍雨火相燒，天與阿修羅大興鬪戰。
3. 230 “When they hear these words, Pramatha and other such nāga kings will bear down on the nāga kings Vāsuki, Takṣaka, on so on, with a boiling rain of fire. Then, as the nāgas bring down great rains of fire upon each other, the gods and asuras will clash in an enormous battle.
天復得勝，破阿修羅軍。時阿修羅皆共相率，往至羅睺阿修羅所，憂慼憔悴以求救護。羅睺阿修羅王見是事已，安慰之言：勿怖勿畏，以有我故，若獨一身，尚不畏彼帝釋天王，況有汝等以為翼從。諸天劣弱，何所能為？汝何所畏？我今當告大仙勇健阿修羅王、花鬘阿修羅王、鉢呵娑毘摩質多羅阿修羅王等，為彼說已，我當自往破彼天眾。
3. 231 “In the end, the gods will defeat the asuras. Frightened, pale, and looking for protection, the asuras will come before the asura ruler Rāhu. When he sees them, Rāhu will say, ‘Asuras, when I am here, what could possibly hurt you? I alone can defeat the gods and their ruler, and thus conquer the entire world of the gods, so I need not say what will happen if we fight together. The army of the gods is not that large. Therefore, friends, what could hurt you? I shall call on the asura kings Firm, Puṣpamāla, Overjoyed, and Vemacitrin, and together we will defeat the gods.’
時羅睺阿修羅王即往告彼三地阿修羅王，到其所已，說如是言：一切天眾、四天王天皆共和合，來至我所，與我共鬪，今當思惟設何方便，破彼諸天？
3. 232 “At this point, the asura ruler Rāhu will go swiftly before the asura rulers Firm, [F.31.b] Puṣpamāla, Overjoyed, and Vemacitrin. There, he will tell them, ‘All those gods are bearing down on us, together with the gods of the realm of the Four Great Kings. With this in mind, think carefully about what sort of reply the asura rulers should deliver.’
時諸阿修羅聞是語已，即答羅睺阿修羅言：我當莊嚴，與彼三十三天王帝釋共戰。汝今可去，天當破壞，阿修羅勝。
3. 233 “When they hear these words, all the asura rulers will reply to Rāhu, ‘We are ready and willing to meet the gods in battle. We must now go ahead and stop the gods of the Heaven of the Thirty-Three, including Kauśika. We must ensure that the asuras prevail. So please, proceed!’
時羅睺阿修羅王即往戰處，欲與天鬪。時諸阿修羅眾向羅睺阿修羅王說言：大王！天有大力，天有大力！不可共戰。
3. 234 “The asura Rāhu will then return to the field where the battle between the gods and the asuras is raging. When he sees the asuras, the asura ruler will tell them, ‘Ah, the forces of the asuras are much greater than those of the gods. The gods assembled for battle here will prove unable to resist us.’
時羅睺阿修羅王即趣天眾雨諸刀戟，與天共戰。是時諸天見阿修羅雨諸刀戟，使龍雨火，疾走往趣，欲破羅睺阿修羅軍，天雨劍戟猶如金剛，交陣鬪戰，不可稱說。
3. 235 “The asura ruler Rāhu will then send forth a rain of weapons and arms, and thus charge forward to meet the gods in battle. When the gods see the asura ruler Rāhu racing toward them, they and the nāgas will rush to meet him and bring down a rain of fire to destroy Rāhu. With weapons, arms, and vajras pelting down like rain, a great battle between the gods and the asuras ensues.
若閻浮提人順法修行、孝事父母，供養沙門及婆羅門，恭敬耆舊，天眾則勝，阿修羅軍退沒不如；若諸世人不順法教，天則退弱，阿修羅勝。如是法力、非法力故，天與阿修羅無等鬪戰。
3. 236 “If at that time people are righteous and follow the Dharma, respect mendicants and brahmins, and follow their elders, the gods will defeat the asuras. If, however, people are unrighteous and do not follow the Dharma, [F.32.a] the asuras will defeat the gods. Thus, the war between gods and asuras depends on nothing but Dharma and non-Dharma.
若阿修羅勝，天眾破壞，一切天眾互相告曰：提婆，提婆！當念於法。以有法故，天眾得勝，以法因緣，天得增長，是故諸天當起信敬，思惟念法，復往趣彼阿修羅軍。一切天眾以念法故，為法所護，光明威德皆悉增長，勝前百倍。
3. 237 “When the asuras are victorious and defeat the gods, the latter will tell each other, ‘Gods, think of the Dharma. Gods, let the Dharma be what matters most.’ While thus keeping the Dharma in mind and arousing faith in the Dharma, the gods will go to where the asuras dwell. Protected by the Dharma, the splendor of the gods will increase a hundredfold, and when the asuras behold them, blazing with glory, they will become totally discouraged.
時阿修羅見諸天眾光明威德，即生怯弱，告諸軍眾：汝今何故生怯弱心？天之威德不與吾等，及其刀戟兵刃相撲，吾悉勝彼。汝今何故而生怯弱？時諸軍眾聞阿修羅王安慰之音，氣力增長，是時羅睺阿修羅軍還向天眾。時諸天等，身得法力速疾馳奔，向阿修羅交陣大戰。
3. 238 “At that point, the asura ruler will say to the downcast asuras, ‘Why so sad? These gods are no better than us in terms of splendor, weaponry, arms, or military prowess. So why do you feel so disheartened?’ Thus, the asuras of the realm of Rāhu and the rest will return to fight the gods. Meanwhile, with their bodies nourished by the Dharma, the gods will rush forth to confront the asuras, and thus the two sides will attack each other and wage combat once again.
時大力羅睺阿修羅王處其軍中，猶如第二須彌山王，天以法力即破羅睺阿修羅軍。諸救護中，法為第一，一切光明，法光第一。
3. 239 “In the midst of the battle, Rāhu will remain powerful, like a second Mount Sumeru. Still, it is the nature of things that the asuras will be defeated because among all forms of protection, the protection of the Dharma is supreme, and among all forms of splendor the splendor of the Dharma is supreme.
時羅睺阿修羅見其軍眾破壞退散，皆悉怯弱，阿修羅王復安慰言：汝等阿修羅勿怖，勿怖！何故丈夫怯如烏鳥，自於己舍？云有勇健、是大丈夫？汝等亦皆解知論法，無所畏懼，曾已具見無量軍眾破壞退散，汝今何故而生愁怖？時諸阿修羅聞安慰已，心生歡喜，以憍慢故，即迴復返欲與天鬪。
3. 240 “When Rāhu and the other asuras see themselves on the brink of defeat, Rāhu will once more attempt to inspire the dejected asuras, saying, ‘Asuras, why do you flee? Why should asuras find themselves at the level of inferior people? The gods are less heroic than so many asuras, and they cannot compete with our military devices and terrifying weapons. So, come back and take up your positions! [F.32.b] What harm could they possibly do to us?’ Hearing those words, the asuras will once more return to fight in the war. Encouraged, with renewed confidence and infatuated by pride, the asuras will again sally forth to battle the gods, but once again they will end up fleeing.
時羅睺阿修羅王以憍慢心，在其軍前，一切阿修羅依止羅睺，羅睺所護，以羅睺王為最第一。一切阿修羅皆往向彼四天王所，諸阿修羅以依羅睺阿修羅力得生氣力：羅睺阿修羅王在我前行，此王之力尚能破彼釋迦天主，況四天王。即復對敵，雨諸刀戟，又雨大石，猶如大山從空而下，欲壞天眾。
3. 241 “Rāhu will then show himself as the leader of all the asuras. As their leader, all the asuras obey him, rely on him, are protected by him, and surround him. Therefore, they will again charge toward the gods of the realm of the Four Great Kings, encouraged and reinvigorated by the strength of Rāhu. ‘Our ruler Rāhu strides ahead of everyone. Since he is capable of crushing all the gods and their rulers single-handedly, he can surely destroy the gods of the realm of the Four Great Kings.’ With such thoughts, they examine each other and make sure that their weapons are distributed among them all. 244
時護世天見羅睺阿修羅王雨大石山，告諸天眾：羅睺阿修羅王雨大石山，汝等當雨刀戟鉾矟，莫令天眾得大衰惱。
3. 242 “To bring victory to the asuras and defeat to the gods, Rāhu will now begin to hurl rocks as large as mountains at the assembled gods. When the guardians of the world see how Rāhu is bombarding the gods, they will exclaim, ‘The gods are being damaged by Rāhu, who hurls stones upon them! Now the gods must stop him with a downpour of weapons and arms. Rāhu must be stopped from harming the gods.’
時護世天說是語已，及諸天眾直趣羅睺阿修羅王，共羅睺阿修羅合陣大戰，雨刀雨石從空而下，墮大海中令海涌沸，天雨刀劍，傷害海中無量百千眾生之類或死或怖，逃走畏避遍大海中，皆生泡沫。羅睺阿修羅與天共戰，餘天、阿修羅見是事已，皆作是念：未曾有也。天與阿修羅如是大戰，戰鬪不止。
3. 243 “Furious, they will then race toward the asura ruler Rāhu to defeat him. What follows is an utterly hair-raising battle with rocks and weapons cascading down. As the volley of rocks falls into the water, the ocean becomes extremely agitated. The downpour of stones from the gods [F.33.a] ends up decimating many hundreds of thousands of beings that live in the ocean, thus causing great upheaval and mayhem among all the denizens of the sea. As Rāhu and the guardians of the world battle on, the gods and asuras will watch. With amazement they will cry out, ‘Ah, this truly is the mother of all wars!’
若世間人修行順法，一切阿修羅多諸伎術刀矟矛劍，大力勇健心無所畏，雖有此術，即時破壞；若世間人不順正法，羅睺阿修羅王則勝天眾。是故法為第一、法為最勝，一切諸法非無因緣。
3. 244 “If at that time people are righteous and follow the Dharma, the asura ruler Rāhu will be defeated even without any recourse to weapons, armies, or terrorism. If, however, people are unrighteous and do not follow the Dharma, the asura ruler Rāhu will prevail and not the gods. Thus, all of this is primarily determined by the Dharma and is not accidental.
若羅睺阿修羅王破壞失力，諸阿修羅皆悉愁悴，厭離鬪心，時羅睺阿修羅王見諸軍眾皆悉愁悴，生厭離心，而告之曰：阿修羅！莫自愁悴令心劣弱。勿怖，勿怖！我若與汝至本宮城，不安樂住。莫作是意，欲還宮城。奮迅威武令增身力，迴詣戰場，莫歸本處。
3. 245 “When the army and the powers of the asura ruler Rāhu flounder and face imminent defeat, those asuras still full of trust will say, ‘Why should the asuras flee? If we allow ourselves to lose this battle, we will fall apart. Enough of this despair! Enough! At home we do not find any happiness and our minds will not be happy among the asuras. Therefore, we must not think in this way. We must summon our courage! You need to stop pining for home and get back here! Come back!’
時阿修羅聞是語已，復往趣彼四天王所，更共鬪戰，雨大石山，雷電注雨，黑雲𩅝霮列陣大鬪，見者毛竪。天復得勝，破阿修羅軍。
3. 246 “When they hear this encouraging speech, all the asuras will rush back toward the guardians of the world. The two parties will now hurl an unparalleled torrent of rocks at each other, and from the mountaintops they will let loose a barrage of lightning. In this way, they will fight a devastating and utterly hair-raising battle. In the end, however, the gods will be victorious and the asuras will be defeated.
一切諸阿修羅作是思惟：天有大力，我當歸彼第二住處星鬘城中阿修羅王，以求救護利益安樂，破諸天眾。彼城之中有阿修羅王名曰勇健，自性勇健，已曾百千與天共戰，乃至天主釋迦提婆彼亦能勝，如是阿修羅勝過一切。
3. 247 “At that time the asuras will think, ‘Alas, the gods are extremely powerful. Thus, in order to regain our strength, [F.33.b] and be successful, happy, and preserve ourselves, let us seek refuge with Firm, the ruler of Star Garland, who lives on the second level. The asura ruler Firm has a firm character. In the war between gods and asuras, he is a hundred, or even a thousand times stronger than the gods, including their ruler.’
思惟是已，皆共往詣勇健阿修羅所，說如是言：阿修羅王！天眾大力，羅睺阿修羅王與之共鬪，不能令伏。今可疾往，以力利益，為作救護，佐助勝力，王若執仗，帝釋天王亦不能壞阿修羅軍，況餘天眾。王曾伏彼，於諸鬪戰阿修羅中得大名稱，速疾詣彼，馳奔急趣，手執兵戈奮動武器，與天共戰，破彼天眾。汝先已曾百千破彼金剛之手，於彼天中，汝以勝力奮威振武。
3. 248 “Thus, all the leaders of the asuras will go to meet the asura ruler Firm. They will then tell him, ‘O ruler of asuras, the forces of the gods are very strong and no one, including the asura Rāhu, can repulse them. Your Majesty, you must therefore be the guardian and savior of the asuras and ensure that our enemy is crushed. No one —neither the gods and their ruler, nor we ourselves —can withstand the weapon that you wield, and with which you have achieved many a victory in the war between the gods and the asuras. Your Majesty, we request that you decisively repel the enemy. Please brandish your arms and lead your forces and use your powers to conquer the gods. You can defeat even Śakra himself a hundred thousand times. Your strength and prowess will definitely defeat those gods.’
時阿修羅王聞是語已，即向花鬘阿修羅、毘摩質多鉢呵娑阿修羅所，作如是言：天軍力勝，破壞羅睺阿修羅王及其軍眾，王今聽我與天共鬪，令我得勝。
3. 249 “When he hears these words, the asura ruler Firm will go before the asura rulers Puṣpamāla, Vemacitrin, and Overjoyed and say, ‘The forces of the asura rulers, including Rāhu, have been defeated by the gods, and the gods have become very powerful. Because they are so strong, they are hard to resist, and thus the asuras cannot withstand them. Please join the effort so that we can win this war.’ [F.34.a]
時花鬘阿修羅王、毘摩質多羅阿修羅王鉢呵娑即告勇健阿修羅曰：速去，速去！我為汝伴，能壞天眾。汝助羅睺阿修羅王，則能破壞一切天眾，況四天王。
3. 250 “To this the asura rulers Puṣpamāla, Vemacitrin, and Overjoyed will reply, ‘Your Majesty, we shall be there to assist you, so please go ahead. Please go ahead. We will be there to help, so that you and Rāhu will be able to defeat all the gods.’
時勇健阿修羅王聞是語已，即向羅睺阿修羅所，為助戰故。時諸阿修羅眾見勇健來，皆大歡喜，悉生勇力，手執武器刀鉾箭矟，直詣天眾，設諸鬪具，箭如雨墮。
3. 251 “When he has received this message, the asura ruler Firm will set out to meet Rāhu and join the war. When the asuras see the asura ruler Firm, they will become extremely happy and energized. Shooting and striking with various weapons, arms, and arrows, they will storm the gods.
時天見此二阿修羅將大軍眾，各作是言：此阿修羅如是數數，無有羞恥來惱天眾，以畜生故，我數破之，猶來不止。
3. 252 “When the gods see them advancing, they will say, ‘Do the asuras just want us to defeat them again and again? Here come those animals that, in spite of their diligence, are already defeated due to the very nature of things!’
作是說已，牢自莊嚴，奮迅勇力向阿修羅軍，欲共交戰。時勇健、羅睺阿修羅王見天眾已，作如是言：天今下此，必共戰諍，我當與天列陣大戰。時二阿修羅王籌量此已，速疾往詣四大王所，決意欲鬪，各望得勝。
3. 253 “With this understanding, the gods will muster all their fortitude. Brandishing their various arms and weapons, they will advance on the asuras with great speed. Seeing them advance, the asura rulers Firm and Rāhu will say, ‘The gods are upon us, the gods are coming to fight us. We shall flank them between our two troops and destroy them.’ Thus, with their hearts set on victory, the asura rulers Firm and Rāhu will jointly advance on the gods of the realm of the Four Great Kings.
若日在天後，阿修羅軍日在其前，以日光明照其目故，不能加害，亦不能雨刀仗劍戟，不能以目正視諸天，各各相謂：日光晃昱照我眼目。是故不得與天鬪戰。是時羅睺阿修羅王即以一手障彼日光。
3. 254 “Now, while the gods are facing the direction where the sun sets, the asuras will look toward the rising sun. As a result, the rays of the rising sun will hurt the asuras’ eyes [F.34.b] so that they are unable to assail the gods with their downpour of weapons. Thus blinded, the asuras will cry, ‘The sunrays have made us unable to see properly! We cannot fight against the gods!’ At that point, the asura ruler Rāhu will block the sunlight that comes toward him.
是第三因緣，世人見已，以愚癡心咸作是言：今者日蝕，或言當豐、或說當儉，或言水災、或言旱災，或言王者吉凶災祥，或言眾人有疫無疫。如是無實，妄生分別，不如實知，隨愚癡說。
3. 255 “This is the third cause of a solar eclipse. Still, scholars who are ignorant about this will in this regard declare, ‘Good rain will fall!’ ‘There will be little rain!’ ‘Things will go well for our king!’ ‘Things will go badly for our king!’ ‘People will face calamity!’ ‘People will be safe!’ Thus, those who are deceived by unwholesome treatises will conceive things in misguided ways.
如是羅睺阿修羅王障蔽日光，而語勇健阿修羅言：天今易見，天今易見！可以刀劍種種武器兵戈矛戟破彼諸天。勇健阿修羅王在其前面速疾馳走，雨諸刀戟向諸天所。天眾見之，莊嚴種種鬪戰之具亦疾往趣。
3. 256 “At this point, by covering the disk of the sun and blocking its sunlight, Rāhu is once again able to see. As he beholds the gods, he will say to the asura ruler Firm, ‘I see the gods well, but I don’t see the asuras clearly. Summon them for the victory charge!’
勇健阿修羅王雨眾武器刀劍矛矟向鬘持天眾，鬘持天眾見是事已，讚言：善哉，善哉！阿修羅王！我諸天眾數數破汝，而汝無恥，不生厭心。我以法力，以行法故，以歸法故，以修法故、不離法故，是故我勝。
3. 257 “Then, letting their various weapons pour down like rain, the asuras will hasten forward to attack, headed by Firm. When the gods see them charging, they too will take up arms and run toward the asuras. As Firm advances on the garland-bearer gods, subjecting them to a downpour of weapons, the garland-bearer gods will say, ‘So be it, asura rulers. So be it. The gods have defeated you numerous times, but it seems that you still do not understand about the Dharma. We possess the way of the Dharma, we pursue the Dharma, and we practice the Dharma. We seek victory without giving up the Dharma. [F.35.a]
汝多貪故，貪著他物望為己用，多行貪故，汝無法行。云何於此十善業道順法諸天，欲望破壞？黑闇不能覆障光明，明力勝故。
You, on the other hand, are afflicted by covetousness and want to take possession of things that belong to others. When it comes to covetousness, no one has more of it than you. Since you are unrighteous beings, how do you intend to defeat us gods, who practice the ten virtuous courses of action, who are righteous, and who follow the Dharma? Darkness can never overcome brilliant light!’
勇健阿修羅王聞是說已，告諸天曰：何須多言！我見汝等神通威德，不能忍之，我等自依己力，破壞天眾，以見諸天威德勝故，不能忍之。
3. 258 “In response, Firm will say, ‘Oh, why so much talk? We do not want any of your possessions. Rather, the armies of Vemacitrin, Overjoyed, and the others among the four asura rulers have been mobilized to crush all the gods. We have no interest in your wealth.’
作是語已，直前往趣鬘持天所。時鬘持天見是事已，雨種種箭射阿修羅身，無空缺處，當於勇健阿修羅上雨眾刀劍。時鬘持天告阿修羅曰：何故多貪？阿修羅！汝以惡業而自破壞，何用與天共相攻伐？非法不能破壞如法，我不為汝作諸衰惱，汝等何故數惱天眾？雖作此說，然阿修羅猶復馳奔走趣天眾。
3. 259 “At that point the asuras will rush toward the garland-bearer gods. The advancing asuras, when spotted by the latter, will release a rain of arrows so dense that not even a speck of their powerful bodies can be seen. 245 Even as they are caught in the rain of Firm’s arrows, the garland-bearer gods will still call to him, ‘What is the point to all that covetousness —to all that karmic destruction and production? Non-Dharma can never defeat the Dharma. We never hurt you in any way, so why do you seek to harm us?’ Still, the asuras will continue their attack on the gods.
時鬘持天告婆修吉、德叉迦等諸龍王曰：今此勇健阿修羅王以憍慢故，自恃己力，猶不調伏。汝今可於阿修羅上降澍大火，令彼失力破壞還退。
3. 260 “At this stage, the garland-bearer gods will tell the nāgas, ‘Release a rain of fire onto this army, which is so conceited and useless! Now, the might of that army is going to wane.’
時婆修吉聞是語已，即於空中雨大猛火，燒鉢摩梯諸惡龍等，復疾走趣勇健阿修羅上，放大熾電、霹靂猛火雨阿修羅軍。
3. 261 “Thus, the nāga king Takṣaka will single out the nāga king Pramatha and release a rain of fire on him. He will also storm toward Firm and let a rain of fire descend upon him as well. Thus, the asuras [F.35.b] and nāgas become engulfed in a great downpour of fire.
時阿修羅王被龍火已，生大瞋恚，手擎大石廣八百里，擲鬘持天。時迦留天見是事已，即雨大火燒滅此山。
As the rain of fire falls, the asura ruler Rāhu will pick up a mountain measuring eleven leagues and assail the garland-bearer gods. When the vessel-bearer gods see this, they will bring down a rain of fire to burn the mountain, and so they race toward Rāhu. In this way, they will succeed in burning the mountain to ashes.
是時勇健阿修羅王見山被燒，即失威力，告諸天曰：此山已燃，我當更以大山擲汝身上。爾時，勇健阿修羅王手擎大山，復欲擲天。時諸天眾告阿修羅言：汝既無法，而作非法，不能壞我。我住正法，汝住非法。諸天如是毀呰阿修羅王。
3. 262 “When Firm sees that the mountain has been consumed by fire, his strength will weaken, but still he will say to the gods, ‘I shall let other flaming mountains fall upon you all!’ The asuras will then bring a burning mountain before him, and Firm will hurl it at the gods. “The gods will respond to the great asuras, saying, ‘Non-Dharma can never defeat Dharma. We always keep the Dharma before us. You remain supported by non-Dharma.’
是時羅睺阿修羅王聞是語已，將諸軍眾疾走向天。天眾見已，皆亦馳赴，欲與阿修羅交陣大戰，以諸兵刃種種刀戟戈矛箭矟互相攻伐。天說法已，誠心憶念，歸命三寶，直趣阿修羅軍。天眾既至，阿修羅軍皆悉退散為百千分，欲向海下。
3. 263 “Seeing this as mockery by the gods, the asura ruler Rāhu will summon all the asuras to storm the gods. When the gods see them coming, they will rush forth to meet them, and thus the gods and asuras will engage in an utterly unbearable battle fought with masses of weapons. At some point, the gods will recite the Dharma, invoke the blessing of the truth, and mentally take refuge in the Three Jewels. Then they shall advance. At that point, the meresight of the advancing gods will make the entire army of asuras collapse in hundreds and thousands of ways. All the asuras will then flee below the ground.
非法惡龍鉢摩梯等，語阿修羅言：勿怖，勿怖！汝今捨我，欲何所至？德叉迦、婆修吉諸龍王等，我能遮之，汝當獨與諸天共鬪，破諸天眾。汝若畏者，汝本何故自出宮城，來至於此？汝不自審力之強弱，何故乃與諸天作怨？若汝捨怨，還本宮城，我等龍眾為何所趣？德叉迦、婆修吉是吾怨家，我何所趣？
3. 264 “Pramatha and other such unrighteous nāgas will now call out to the asuras, ‘Asuras, why do you abandon us and flee? We can get the better of Takṣaka, Vāsuki, and other such nāgas, [F.36.a] so you should also be able to vanquish the gods. If you are so afraid, then why did you bring your cowardly army up from beneath the earth to fight with the gods in the first place? If you hostile ones now retreat below the earth, where are we supposed to go? Where should we go when Takṣaka, Vāsuki, and the others attack?’
時阿修羅聞是語已，復還天所，與天共鬪。時諸惡龍不能遮彼如法龍眾，阿修羅軍尋復退散，還歸海下，入本宮城。
3. 265 “When the asuras hear this, they will once more return to battle the gods. Yet, the gods will be undeterred and diligently charge forth to fight the asuras. When the asuras see that the gods are storming toward them, they will become unable to resist any longer. At that point, the asura rulers Rāhu and Firm will jointly retreat to their subterranean dwellings.
時阿修羅見其軍眾如是破已，遣阿修羅向第三地花鬘阿修羅所白言：大王！速起，速起！天眾力勝，破壞一切阿修羅軍分散四趣，逃避迸走。大王久已與天共戰，得大名稱，今亦如是，當起厲意破諸天眾。王若去者，帝釋天王不得為敵，況餘天眾。
3. 266 “Seeing the asura army defeated makes some of the asuras rush to see the asura ruler of the third level. They will say to him, ‘Arise, O great king Puṣpamāla! The throng of gods has been unstoppable, and so all the asuras have been defeated and are now scattered about everywhere. In the war against the gods, you previously achieved numerous victories for the asuras, and must now do so once again. Please pay heed to these matters and arise! Go forth and vanquish the gods and their king!’
是時花鬘阿修羅王聞是語已，思惟籌量，即與無量億阿修羅眾而自圍遶，以種種器仗刀戟鉾矟牢自莊嚴，往詣戰場，大聲震吼聲滿十方。
3. 267 “Keeping those words in mind, the asura ruler Puṣpamāla will then take up various weapons and arms. Surrounded by millions of asuras, and with their rumbling filling the sky, he will depart for the battlefield of the war between the gods and the asuras.
時羅睺阿修羅王見是事已，語勇健阿修羅言：花鬘阿修羅王今來向此，益我威力，破諸天眾。汝今可迴，汝今可迴！花鬘阿修羅來，我今大力。
3. 268 “When the asura ruler Rāhu sees them coming by the thousands, he will say to Firm, ‘That is the army of the asura ruler Puṣpamāla. They are coming to our assistance [F.36.b] to help us defeat the gods. Therefore, let the asuras turn them back! This army is here to assist us, the asura rulers.’
軍眾聞已，還詣戰場，欲與天鬪。時四大天王語阿修羅言：汝畜生法，天數破汝，而復還迴。汝愚癡心，自失軍眾。說是語已，向阿修羅眾速疾馳走。
3. 269 “When they hear this news, the asuras will again return to war, marching to where the gods of the Four Great Kings have assembled. When the gods see them, they will say, ‘You animals, how long can you be kept in one place? Have you returned here, obscured and bewildered, to destroy your own army?’ With those words, the gods will then charge toward the asuras.
花鬘阿修羅見諸天來，告其軍眾：汝等阿修羅勿怖勿畏，與天共戰。何故聚住？破彼天眾，莫生怯弱，以有我故，汝何所畏？獨我一身，能壞諸天，何況勇健阿修羅王為我朋侶，師子兒羅睺阿修羅王為我同伴。汝等鬪戰莫生怖畏，莫生怖畏！增長威力，破彼諸天，令阿修羅增長得勝，奮怒大力與之共戰。
3. 270 “At this point Puṣpamāla will say to the asuras, ‘The asuras stand united. So, what do you think? Shouldn’t we now bring harm upon the gods? Shouldn’t we now defeat the disarrayed gods? My realm can defeat all the gods unassisted, so there is no need to mention what we can achieve when the asura rulers Firm and Rāhu, the son of the lioness, are with us as well. Have no fear! You needn’t ever fear the battlefield, so enough of this disheartened sentiment. The asuras shall be victorious! The asuras with their mighty powers shall triumph!’
時花鬘阿修羅如是勅已，即與諸阿修羅往詣。鬘持天、常恣意天、迦留足天、三箜篌天所住之處，毘琉璃地周遍嚴飾，心生喜悅而作是說：我等不須三十三天帝釋天王，能數數壞阿修羅軍，以法力故，以法為伴。
3. 271 “Having proclaimed this, the asura ruler Puṣpamāla and the other asura rulers unite, while the divine rulers of the flower garland bearers, the ever-infatuated gods, the vessel bearers, and the triple-lute-bearers climb to the summit of the beryl mountain. There, they will spread out and take their positions. Enthusiastically, they will think, ‘Even without Śakra and the gods of the Heaven of the Thirty-Three, we alone have often defeated the asuras due to possessing the same Dharma.’ 246 [F.37.a]
時阿修羅處在大海，遍於海上，欲與天鬪，集在大海。是時諸天見阿修羅大眾集已，各共議曰：一切第三地花鬘阿修羅，宿大力者，今皆來集。說是語已，阿修羅眾皆至其所。
3. 272 “Meanwhile, the asuras will spread across the sea, plowing forward to wage war. When the gods see the advancing asuras, they will say, ‘The one who has assembled this great army of asuras that is now bearing down on us is certainly Puṣpamāla, the third ruler of the asuras.’ As they watch them approach, they talk about them and take positions to confront them head-on in battle.
時天見已，即告阿修羅曰：虛來至此，望壞天眾。我有大力，何以故？閻浮提人隨順法行、孝養父母，供養沙門、婆羅門，喜樂善法、修行善法，命終生天。是故我今勝於汝等，有大力勢，第一無比。我等如法、順法修行，不惱汝等，汝行非法惱亂我等。
3. 273 “To the asuras the gods will then say, ‘Who has fooled you into coming here? There are still righteous people who follow the Dharma, who respect their mothers, respect their fathers, respect mendicants, and respect brahmins, who persevere for the sake of virtue, and are engaged in virtue. When they die, such people are born as gods. They make up our army, which is much greater and more significant than yours. Therefore, do not try to harm us, we who practice the Dharma. Why would you harm us?’
時阿修羅聞是語已，不受天語，即與天鬪。時諸天等，從其所住滿虛空中，從空而下，欲破阿修羅軍。兩軍交戰聲震大海，魚鼈黿鼉、摩竭大魚、那迦錯魚心皆大怖，散為百分或百千分。天等大鬪，雨諸器仗矛矟刀戟，天與阿修羅如是大戰。
3. 274 “Yet the asuras will disregard those words and instead proceed to battle with the gods. Filling the sky, the gods will then come forth to meet and defeat the asuras, and each side will surge forth to defeat the other. The battle that follows is such that the hearts of many fish, shellfish, crocodiles, infant-eating crocodiles, sea crocodiles, great sea crocodiles, alligators, and other ferocious crocodiles 247 will burst into a hundred or a thousand pieces. Thus, the gods and asuras will fight each other in a continuous and unparalleled downpour of numerous weapons.
時花鬘阿修羅王告諸天曰：前軍鬪戰，我時未至，令汝破之。我今至此，當摧汝眾，獨我一身能伏帝釋，何況汝等四天王眾，是故我能破汝天眾。說是語已，即向鬘持天。
3. 275 “The asura ruler Puṣpamāla, who stands alone, having dispatched the other asuras, will address the gods, saying, ‘This battle will not take me long, [F.37.b] and I am certain to win. I have come here to vanquish you all and assist the asuras. At my hand, all the gods will fall, including their ruler, so no need to mention the gods of the realm of the Four Great Kings. You will surely be vanquished!’ Having spoken these words, he will then rush toward the gods.
時迦留天見其來已，即向花鬘阿修羅所。時阿修羅欲破其軍，於大海邊拔取大石，方四百里或三百里，或二百里，或一百里，或一由旬大火熾燃，欲以此山擲迦留天。時天見之，即歸三寶，思惟念法，以箭射之碎如沙末墮大海中。
3. 276 “When the vessel-bearer gods see Puṣpamāla approaching, they will come forth to vanquish him. Standing at the center of the ocean, the asura ruler Puṣpamāla will then unearth flaming mountains measuring five, four, three,two, or one league, and hurl these mountains at the vessel-bearer gods. The gods, however, will recollect the Dharma and take refuge in the Three Jewels. Thus, the stream of their arrows will pulverize the mountains that came from the center of the sea as if they were handfuls of sand.
時阿修羅見事無功，即取大戟與迦留天對敵共戰。天既見已，於虛空中雨金剛雹碎其刀戟，阿修羅軍皆悉散壞。
When, as a karmic effect, Puṣpamāla sees the mountains reduced to nothing, he will instead take up a staff and stand before the vessel-bearer gods. But when the gods see him approaching with his retinue, army, and forces, they will cut his staff to pieces with a power that is like a meteoric rain. Thus, they will humble and defeat the asuras.
時勇健阿修羅王復走往趣常恣意天，欲共鬪戰，取大圍山名波利佉，廣五百由旬，告諸天曰：我今破汝一切諸天，令汝天眾至閻羅王所。說是語已，直向常恣意天。
3. 277 “Meanwhile, the asura ruler Firm will go to wage war in the realm of the ever-infatuated gods, carrying with him an all-destroying weapon that is one league long. As he approaches with much noise, the asura king will shout to the gods of that realm, ‘Today I shall defeat everyone! With this all-destroying weapon, I shall dispatch you to the realm of the Lord of Death!’
時護世天見是事已，接取圍山，以打阿修羅胸，即時破壞，走入海下，還本住處。時諸軍眾見阿修羅退，陀摩睺阿修羅軍皆亦散走，困乏垂死，還入本處。
3. 278 “However, as the guardians of the world [F.38.a] see him approaching, they will grab his weapon and strike his own chest with it. [B24] Struck by his own weapon, his power will wane, and he will retreat below the earth. When the necklace asuras witness his defeat, all those still alive will likewise flee below the ground.
時羅睺阿修羅及其軍眾，復疾往趣三箜篌天，自以己力欲與鬪戰。諸天見已，於羅睺阿修羅上雨大猛火燒阿修羅軍，阿修羅王及其軍眾退走散壞，還歸海下。
3. 279 “The asura ruler Rāhu and his retinue will then advance on the realm of the triple-lute-bearer gods. When the gods see the haughty asuras approaching, they will apply all their strength to bring down a rain of fire upon the asuras and will then rush forth to take on the asura ruler Rāhu. Scorched by the rain of fire, the asuras will run to take cover beneath the earth.
是時諸天見阿修羅軍皆悉退散，心大歡喜。阿修羅王憂慼愁惱，丈夫之力皆悉散壞，還走水下，從門而入，欲求救護、求歸依處。時諸天眾知阿修羅悉入水下，還本山頂，住毘琉璃山，恐阿修羅復來至此。何以故？毘摩質多羅阿修羅王鉢呵娑，於阿修羅中最為大力，第一最勝，能救一切諸阿修羅，猶未來此。彼若破壞，一切阿修羅皆悉破壞。說是語已，皆大歡喜，氣力增長，皆共遙視阿修羅軍，決意欲戰。
3. 280 “When they witness the three asura rulers losing in this way, the gods will be utterly delighted. All the asuras will feel inferior and, with their strength depleted, they will rush to the tunnels that lead below the earth, yearning for a protector, savior, and guardian. As the asuras enter the tunnels to the subterranean world, the gods will climb to the summit of the beryl mountain and take up positions there. They will say to one another, ‘The asuras will no doubt return, because Vemacitrin and Overjoyed have not yet come. The life force of the asuras depends on them, the asuras rely on them, and they are their leaders. Defeating them means defeating them all; losing to them means losing to them all.’ Saying this to one another, the gods will feel utterly elated and invigorated. Thus, they will rest, prepared for battle.
時婆修吉、德叉迦法行龍王，破鉢摩梯等，被傷殘餘還入戲樂城，望鉢呵娑阿修羅王破壞諸天，救護我等，若不能壞，天還得勝，天眾增長。如是阿修羅伴惡龍王鉢摩梯等，愁毒苦惱，住本城中。阿修羅軍亦復如是，愁憂苦惱，住於本處。
3. 281 “At this time the nāga kings Takṣaka, Vāsuki, and so on will also have wiped out [F.38.b] the military might of Pramatha and other such nāga kings in the city Endowed with Enjoyments. Their defeat will weigh strongly on the mind of Overjoyed, and so he will think, ‘I must raise an army that can defeat the gods. Otherwise, the forces of the asuras will have been completely defeated, and the forces of the gods will have prevailed.’
