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The Āṭānāṭiya Sutta: A Protection from the Four Great Kings
Everyday life

The Āṭānāṭiya Sutta: A Protection from the Four Great Kings

Āṭānāṭiyā rakkhā

King Vessavaṇa tells the Buddha that many spirits dislike his teaching on the precepts, and offers a protective recitation called the Āṭānāṭiya, opening with homage to seven Buddhas. The Buddha tells the monks to learn it for the protection and ease of all four assemblies.

7 points

In the Āṭānāṭiya Sutta of the Dīgha Nikāya, the Four Great Kings, with hosts of yakkhas, gandhabbas, kumbhaṇḍas and nāgas, visit the Buddha on Vulture's Peak at night. King Vessavaṇa says some yakkhas have confidence in the Buddha and some don't, but most don't, because he teaches abstaining from killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying and intoxicants, which most yakkhas don't abstain from.

Vessavaṇa is concerned that some disciples live in secluded forest lodgings where yakkhas without confidence dwell. He asks the Buddha to accept a protection called the Āṭānāṭiya, for guarding, protection, freedom from harm and living at ease. The Buddha consents by silence.

The protection is a set of verses paying homage to seven Buddhas, from Vipassī to Gotama, then describing the great king of each of the four directions and their retinues, all of whom pay homage to the Buddha. The next day the Buddha recounts this to the monks and tells them to learn, master and remember the protection.

In Thailand this is the source of the Āṭānāṭiya paritta chanted today. This page explains it as the sutta presents it, and doesn't promise results beyond what the sutta says.

  1. 1

    Why some dislike teaching on the precepts Pāṇātipātā veramaṇiyā dhammaṃ deseti

    Vessavaṇa says frankly that most yakkhas lack confidence because the Buddha teaches abstaining from killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying and intoxicants, but most yakkhas don't abstain, so that teaching is not dear to them.

    Applying it in daily life

    If a reminder about a particular precept especially irritates you, it may signal that this is the very point you haven't yet given up.

  2. 2

    Concern for those living in seclusion Araññe vanapatthāni pantāni senāsanāni paṭisevanti

    Vessavaṇa says some disciples frequent remote forest lodgings, quiet and suited to retreat, where high-ranking yakkhas without confidence dwell, so he asks the Buddha to accept this protection for the safety of the Buddha's followers.

    Applying it in daily life

    If a family member must live far away or travel alone, caring well means helping them prepare, both in mind and in real safety.

  3. 3

    Beginning with homage to seven Buddhas Vipassissa namatthu

    The protection opens with homage to Vipassī, Sikhī, Vessabhū, Kakusandha, Koṇāgamana, Kassapa and Gotama, each with words of praise, such as the one with vision, compassionate to all beings, crusher of Māra and his army.

    Applying it in daily life

    When chanting this, attend to the meaning of the praise for each Buddha, so the chant becomes recollection of qualities rather than just getting through the words.

  4. 4

    The rulers of the four directions pay homage Vijjācaraṇasampannaṃ buddhaṃ vandāma

    The verses describe the four directions: in the east Dhataraṭṭha, lord of the gandhabbas; in the south Virūḷhaka, lord of the kumbhaṇḍas; in the west Virūpakkha, lord of the nāgas; in the north Kuvera, also called Vessavaṇa, lord of the yakkhas. Each, with his sons, pays homage to the Buddha, accomplished in knowledge and conduct. This point is for overall understanding.

    Applying it in daily life

    The picture of powerful rulers in every direction bowing to one of virtue is a reminder that respect comes from knowledge and conduct, not from power.

  5. 5

    For one who learns it well Sugahitā bhavissati samattā pariyāputā

    Vessavaṇa says that if any monk, nun, laywoman or layman has learned this protection well and completely, and a non-human with hostile intent follows and troubles them, that non-human will lose standing among its own kind, and the one troubled may appeal to the yakkha chiefs he names. This is Vessavaṇa's own statement in the sutta.

    Applying it in daily life

    If you're going to chant something, learn it correctly and understand it. Attentive chanting with the meaning in mind calms the mind far more than rattling through it.

  6. 6

    For guarding, freedom from harm and living at ease Guttiyā rakkhāya avihiṃsāya phāsuvihārāya

    Vessavaṇa concludes that the Āṭānāṭiya protection is for the guarding, protection, freedom from harm and living at ease of monks, nuns, laymen and laywomen, then takes his leave.

    Applying it in daily life

    Before sleeping or setting out on a journey, take a short moment to chant or recollect the Triple Gem, calming the mind and resolving not to harm anyone that day.

  7. 7

    The Buddha tells the monks to learn it Uggaṇhātha bhikkhave āṭānāṭiyaṃ rakkhaṃ

    Next morning the Buddha recounts everything to the monks and tells them to learn, master and remember the Āṭānāṭiya protection, since it is beneficial for the guarding and ease of all four assemblies.

    Applying it in daily life

    Many chants heard at merit-making ceremonies come from the suttas. Look up the source and meaning of the ones you chant most often, and they will mean more to you.

Try it in daily life

This discourse places the protective recitation alongside the precepts. What displeased the yakkhas was the teaching on the five precepts, while the protection opens by recollecting the Buddhas, accomplished in knowledge and conduct. Chanting works best together with keeping the precepts and a mind recollecting those qualities.

For people who must stay in lonely places, travel alone, or feel afraid at night, chanting helps steady the mind and recall what is good, but it doesn't replace ordinary precautions, such as telling someone where you're going or avoiding risky places.

If fear or a sense of being disturbed comes up so often that it affects your sleep or daily life, please also consult a doctor or professional.

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