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# SN 4:1 · Ascetic Actions (Tapokamma Sutta)
- URL: https://www.journal.ninthheaven.co/civilisation/trad-buddhism/sn-4-1/
- Published: 2026-06-01T00:59:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-07-13T16:58:37.000Z
- Description: Saṁyutta Nikāya · SN 4:1. Translated by Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu.
- Author: Ninth Heaven Literature & Arts Association (NHLAA)
- Tags: Buddhism, Sutta Piṭaka, Text, Indian, The Buddha, Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu, Saṁyutta Nikāya, Verse, Pali, Early Buddhist, Library, #Import 2026-07-06 03:31

I have heard that on one occasion, when the Blessed One was newly self-awakened, he was dwelling near Uruvelā on the bank of the Nerañjarā River, at the root of the Goatherd's Banyan Tree.

Then, when the Blessed One was alone in seclusion, this train of thought arose in his awareness, “Released am I from that practice of extreme austerities! How good that I’m released from that useless practice of extreme austerities! How good that I’m released, that I have attained awakening!”

Then Māra the Evil One, having known with his awareness the train of thought in the Blessed One's awareness, went to the Blessed One and addressed him in verse:

“Straying from the ascetic actions
by which young brahmans are purified,
	impure, you suppose you’re pure.
You’ve missed the path to purity.”

Then, having understood that “This is Mara the Evil One,” the Blessed One replied to him in verses: 

“Having known it to be useless,
	any further[1](https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/SN/SN4%5F1.html?ref=journal.ninthheaven.co) austerity,
	each bringing nothing,
	like oars & rudder on dry land:
Developing virtue, concentration, & discernment,
the path to awakening,
I’ve		attained the foremost purity.
But you, End-maker,	 are struck down.”

Then Mara the Evil One—sad & dejected at realizing, “The Blessed One knows me, the One Well-Gone knows me”—vanished right there.

Note

1\. Reading *aparaṁ* with the Thai edition. The Burmese and Sri Lankan editions read *amaraṁ,* deathless.

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*Translated by Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu. © 2014 / rev. 2017 Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu — released under the [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/?ref=journal.ninthheaven.co) licence, for free distribution only. Source: [dhammatalks.org](https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/SN/SN4%5F1.html?ref=journal.ninthheaven.co) (Metta Forest Monastery).*