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The next sutta is Mora-Sutta^[1] (The Discourse on the Peacock鈥檚 Prayer).鈥擜 Historical Sketch:^[2]

The birth-story of the Buddha as a golden peacock was narrated by the Lord at Jetavana monastery when it was reported that a disciple monk had been enchanted by a woman.

Our Buddha-to-be was Once born as a golden peacock, residing on the golden hill of Dandaka (Sarana) in the Himalaya mountains when day dawned, his golden peacock used to sit upon the summit watching the rising sun, composed a prayer to protect himself safe in his feeding pasture. He then recited worshipping the past of Buddha and all their virtuous glories. Uttering this charm to protect himself from dangers, he went for a feeding.

In the evening when the sun went down, the bird came back to the hilltop on which he rested to watch the setting sun, and he meditated to utter another prayer to protect him from dangers during the night time. He then went to sleep.

There was then a hunter who had seen him and told the wonders of the bird to his son. At that time queen Khema of Benares had a dream which pushed her to demand the king to bring the golden peacock to the palace. She wanted to listen to the discourse of the bird. The king sent the hunter to catch the bird. But by the power of the prayer and charm the snare would not catch him. After seven years the unsuccessful hunter died followed by the demise of the queen.

Thereupon the old king was angry with the bird and left an inscription saying that who ever eats the flesh of the golden peacock shall be ever young and immortal.

So six successive rulers of the kingdom attempted to capture the bird but all in vain.

The seventh successor king sent a clever hunter who had a charming peahen which could sing very sweetly. Early in the morning the hunter set up the snare with the peahen which sang very enchantingly before the golden bird could recite his usual prayer and charm. The bird was tempted, and approached her; and was caught in the snare. The happy hunter caught hold of the golden bird and hurried back to the palace to present it to the king.

The king was delighted at the bird鈥檚 golden beauty and placed the bird on a royal seat to exchange a dialogue with him.

The golden peacock related the story of his previous life as a pious king in the same kingdom and also explained the power of his prayer and charm to the king. He also advised the king to excavate the golden chariot from the royal lake to prove his narration. When all the truths were revealed, the bird was released to fly back to the golden hill of Dandaka and the story ends happily.

According to the Burmese version of the Mahaparitta pali text, this sutta is composed of six stanzas only.

Introduction of Mora sutta the discourse on the peacock鈥檚 prayer.

The great Buddha was born as a peacock who fulfilled the necessary requirements for obtaining enlightenment and arranged protection for himself by means of protective discourse of 鈥淢ora Sutta鈥�. He, the great Being, was strived for quite a long time by the hunters but they were not able to capture him. This was prescribed by Lord Buddha as an Exalted charm. Hence we should recite this protective discourse.

The thousand eyed king rises making the world bright with his golden light.

As glorious wing with golden light makes the world bright and hence it is prayed to keep the worshipper safe through the coming day.

The saints, the eighteens the wise in the entire holy lore may protect the worshipper and to those who adore him and so the worshipper honours to the embodiment of freedom wisdom and freedom achiever. Having made this protection the peacock went about to seek food.

As the thousand鈥揺yed king he sets and makes the world bright with his golden light. The great Buddha is worshipped by worshipper as on glorious wing with his golden light makes the world bright and though the night till the next day the worshipper prays to keep him safe.

The saints, the righteous, the wise in the entire holy lore may protect the worshipper and to those who adore him and so the worshipper honours to the embodiment of freedom, wisdom and freedom鈥揳chiever. Having made this protection, the peacock rested happily at home.

Here ends the Mora sutta. Hence this Mora sutta has been chanted as a charm or wardrune to protect the subjects from snares or to be released safely if arrested by the enemies. It is usually uttered by Bramha Buddhists to keep the entire family safe and sound through out the entire day and night. What-ever may be the treats, difficulties, obstacles and hindrances, if one through discipline, through progressive mastery can recite this excellent mantra (more parittani) and if we carry within supreme saviour, one thing is certain that inspite of all evil threats, we would be free to progress with the universe and grow according to the eternal rhythm.

Footnotes and references:

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[1]:

Eleven Holy discourses of protection Mahaparitta Pali.

[2]:

Eleven Holy discourses of protection Mahaparitta Pali.