相应部第 11 相应（Sujato 英译）第 6 阅读页 · SN11.6 · Bird Nests

Linked Discourses 11.6Linked Discourses 11.6Chapter OneChapter One

Bird NestsBird NestsAt Sāvatthī.At Sāvatthī.“Once upon a time, mendicants, a battle was fought between the gods and the titans.“Once upon a time, mendicants, a battle was fought between the gods and the titans.

In that battle the titans won and the gods lost.In that battle the titans won and the gods lost.Defeated, the gods fled north with the titans in pursuit.Defeated, the gods fled north with the titans in pursuit.Then Sakka, lord of gods, addressed his chariot handler Mātali in verse:Then Sakka, lord of gods, addressed his chariot handler Mātali in verse:

‘Mātali, don’t ram the bird nests‘Mātali, don’t ram the bird nestsin the Red Silk-Cotton Woods with your draft-pole.in the Red Silk-Cotton Woods with your draft-pole.I’d rather give up our lives to the titansI’d rather give up our lives to the titans

than deprive these birds of their nests.’than deprive these birds of their nests.’‘Yes, lord,’ replied Mātali. And he turned the chariot back around, with its team of a thousand thoroughbreds.‘Yes, lord,’ replied Mātali. And he turned the chariot back around, with its team of a thousand thoroughbreds.Then the titans thought,Then the titans thought,

‘Now Sakka’s chariot has turned back.‘Now Sakka’s chariot has turned back.The titans will have to fight the gods a second time!’ Terrified, they retreated right away to the citadel of the titans.The titans will have to fight the gods a second time!’ Terrified, they retreated right away to the citadel of the titans.And that’s how Sakka came to win victory by principle.”And that’s how Sakka came to win victory by principle.”