At Sāvatthi. “Monks, once in the past, a number of good and virtuous seers had settled down in leaf huts along the shore of the ocean. At that time the gods and the titans were prepared for battle. Monks, then it occurred to those good and virtuous seers, ‘The gods are righteous, the titans unrighteous. Fear might come to us from the titans. Let us go to Sambara, lord of the titans, and ask him for a guarantee of safety.’
“Then, monks, just as quickly as a strong man extends his drawn-in arm or draws in his extended arm, those good and virtuous seers disappeared from their leaf huts along the shore of the ocean. Then they reappeared in the presence of Sambara, lord of the titans. Those good and virtuous seers addressed Sambara, lord of the titans, in verse:
“‘We, the seers, have come to Sambara to ask him for a guarantee of safety. You can give us fear or safety. Do what you wish.’
Sambara:
“‘You are friends with our enemy, god Sakka, I will not guarantee your safety. Though you ask me for safety, I will give you only fear.’
The Seers:
“‘When we have asked for safety, you only give us fear. We accept your words. May you not be separated from fear!
“‘Whatever type of seed you sow, that is the type of fruit you gain. The doer of good gains good, the doer of evil gains evil. Son, you have sown a seed, therefore you will receive the fruit of that.’
“Monks, those good and virtuous seers put a curse on Sambara, lord of the titans. Then monks, just as quickly as a strong man extends his drawn-in arm or draws in his extended arm, those seers disappeared from the presence of Sambara and reappeared in their leaf huts.
“But, monks, after being cursed by those good and virtuous seers, Sambara, lord of titans, always wakes up horrified three times in the night.”
