SEVENTH YEAR AT TÁVATIÍSA HEAVEN 113
Seventh Year at Távatiísa HeavenA few days after the birth of Prince Siddhattha Queen Mahá Máyá died
and was born as a deva (god) in the Tusita Heaven. In this seventh year,
during the three rainy months, the Buddha preached the Abhi-
dhamma^181 to the devas of the Távatiísa Heaven where the mother-
Deva repaired to hear him. Daily he came to earth and gave a summary
of his sermon to the Venerable Sáriputta who in turn expounded the
same doctrine in detail to his disciples. What is embodied in the present
Abhidhamma Piþaka is supposed to be this detailed exposition of the
Dhamma by him.
It is stated that, on hearing these discourses, the deva who was his
mother attained the first stage of sainthood.
Eighth Year at Bhesakalá Forest, near Suísumára Rock, in
the Bhagga District
Ninth Year at KosambiIt was in this year that Mágandiyá harboured a grudge against the Bud-
dha and sought an opportunity to dishonour him.
Mágandiyá was a beautiful maiden. Her parents would not give her
in marriage as the prospective suitors, in their opinion, were not worthy
of their daughter. One day as the Buddha was surveying the world, he
perceived the spiritual development of the parents. Out of compassion
for them he visited the place where the father of the girl was tending the
sacred fire. The brahmin, fascinated by the Buddha’s physical beauty,
thought that he was the best person to whom he could give his daughter
in marriage and requesting him to stay there until his arrival, hurried
home to bring his daughter. The Buddha in the meantime stamped his
footprint on that spot and moved to a different place. The brahmin and
his wife, accompanied by their daughter who was dressed in her best
garments, came to that spot and observed the footprint. The wife who
was conversant with signs said that it was not the footprint of an ordi-
nary man but of a pure person who had eradicated all passions. The
Brahmin ridiculed the idea, and, noticing the Buddha at a distance
offered his daughter unto him. The Buddha describing how he overcame
his passions said:
“Having seen Taóhá, Arati, and Ragá,^182
I had no pleasure for the pleasures of love.- Abhidhamma (“higher doctrine”) deals with Buddhist philosophy. See
Chapter 15. - The three daughters of Mára.