Defeating the Army of Death

This was said by the Blessed One, said by the Buddha, the Arahant, so I have heard.

"These three divine sounds sound forth among the deities on appropriate occasions. Which three? When a disciple of the noble ones, shaving off his hair and beard, clothing himself in the ochre robe, makes up his mind to go forth from the home life into homelessness, on that occasion the divine sound sounds forth among the deities: 'This disciple of the noble ones has made up his mind to do battle with Death.' This is the first divine sound that sounds forth among the deities on appropriate occasions.

"When a disciple of the noble ones lives devoted to developing the seven sets of qualities that are wings to Awakening, on that occasion the divine sound sounds forth among the deities: 'This disciple of the noble ones is doing battle with Death.' This is the second divine sound that sounds forth among the deities on appropriate occasions.

"When a disciple of the noble ones, through the ending of the taints of lust, fear, and ignorance, dwells in the awareness-release and discernment-release that are free from the taints of lust, fear, and ignorance, having known and made them manifest for himself right in the present life, on that occasion the divine sound sounds forth among the deities: 'This disciple of the noble ones has won the battle. Having been in the front lines of the battle, he now dwells victorious.' This is the third divine sound that sounds forth among the deities on appropriate occasions.

"These are the three divine sounds that sound forth among the deities on appropriate occasions."

Seeing he's won the battle —
the disciple of the Rightly Self-awakened One —
even the deities pay homage to this great one,
thoroughly mature.
"Homage to you, O thoroughbred man —
you who have won the hard victory,
defeating the army of Death,
unhindered in emancipation."
Thus they pay homage, the deities,
to one who has reached the heart's goal,
for they see in him
no means that would bring him under Death's sway.

[Inspired by Iti. 82]