The Buddha subduing the fierce, drunkened elephant, Nalagiri, released by the wicked Devadatta

Bahum sahassa’ mabhinimmita savudhantam
Girime khalam uditaghora sasena maram
Danadi dhamma vidhina jitava Munindo
Tam tejasa bhavatu me jayamangalani

1. Mara, the Evil One, assuming a fierce form with a thousand arms; each brandishing a deadly weapon, stormed forward roaring, accompanied by his formidable hosts and riding on his elephant, Girimekkhala. Him the Sovereign Sage conquered by evoking the might of his exalted perfection of giving, among others. By his mighty triumph, may joyous victory be mine!

Marati reka’mabhiyujihita sabbarattim
Ghorampanalavaka makkhamathaddha yakkham
Khanti sudanta vidhina jitava Munindo
Tam tejasa bhavatu me jayamangalani

2. Even more fiendish than Mara was Alvaka,the impetuous and haughty yakkha who fought a night-long battle with the Lord. Him the Sovereign Sage conqueredthrough enduring patience flowing from his unequaled self-mastery. By this mighty triumph may joyous victory be mine!

Nalagirim gajavaram atimattabhutam
Davaggi cakka’masaniva sudarunantam
Mettambuseka vidhina jitava Munindo
Tam tejasa bhavatu me jayamangalani

3. Provoked to run amok, Nalagiri, the king tusker, like a raging forest fire murderously assailed all in his path, and struck such horror in them as would Indra’s thunder bolt, the irresistible destroyer. Him the sovereign Sage tamed by sprinking over him the cooling water of all-embracing love. By his mighty triumph may joyous victory be mine!

Ukkhitta-khagga matihattha sudarunantam
Dhavam tiyojanapatham’ Gulimala vantam
Iddhibhi sankhata mano jitava Munindo
Tam tejasa bhavatu me jayamangalani

4. With sword upraised in expert hands did the savage robber, Angulimala, pursue the Lord for a full three leagues. Him the Sovereign Sage conquered by his supernatural powers. By his mighty triumph may joyous victory be mine!

Katvana kattha’mudaram iva gabbhi niya
Cincaya duttha vacanam janakaya majjhe
Santena somavidhina jitava Munindo
Tam tejasa bhavatu me jayamangalani

5. Posing as a pregnant woman by tying a piece of wood to her belly, Cinca falsely accused (the Buddha) with lewd words in the midst of a devout congregation. Her the Sovereign Sage subdued through his imperturbable serenity. By his mighty triumph may joyous victory be mine!

Saccam vihaya matisaccaka vadaketum
Vadabhiropitamanam atiandhabhutam
Pannapadipa jalito jitava Munindo
Tam tejasa bhavatu me jayamangalani

6.With his peverted intelligence, the wandering mendicant, Saccaka, invariably distorted the truth. Pretending to be the very banner of learning, he only blinded his own mental vision as he went about indulging in intellectual disputations. Him the Sovereign Sage conquered by his illuminating lamp of wisdom. By his mighty triumph may joyous victory be mine!

Nandopananda bhujagam vibudham mahiddhim
Puttena thera bhujagena damapayanto
Iddhupadesa vidhina jitava Munindo
Tam tejasa bhavatu me jayamangalani

7. The gifted but perverted king of the Nagas, Nandopananda by name, possessed great psychic power and was hostile. By instructing the Elder Moggallana, his spiritual son mighty in supernatural attainments, the Sovereign Sage rendered
the Naga king powerless and transformed him. Thus through a supernatural mode of spiritual instruction intelligible to his kind, did the Master conquer the Naga. By his mighty triumph may joyous victory be mine!

Duggahaditthi bhujagena sudattha hattham
Brahmam visuddhi jutim’iddhi bakabhidhanam
Nanagadena vidhina jitava Munindo
Tam tejasa bhavatu me jayamangalani

8. Though a deity of great purity, radiance and power, Baka, the Brahma god, was nevertheless in the grip of pernicious views, like an arm tightly held by a snake’s
coils. Him the Sovereign Sage cured by means of wisdom. By his mighty triumph may joyous victory be mine!
Note : The last line of the 8 paragraph “bhavatu me” to be changed to “bhavatu te” if chant for others.

Etapi Buddha jayamangala atthagatha
Yo vacano dinadine sarate matandi
Hitvana nekavividhani cupaddhvani
Mokkham sukham adhigameyya naro sapanno

He who, day after day without lethargy, recites and recollects these eight hymns of the Exalted One’s glorious triumphs that wise man, having overcome many and diverse obstacles, shall attain the bliss of Deliverance.

Source: ddhaguna-chant