Based on the Book of Protection (Paritta Sutta) from the Pali canon, the Jaya Mangala Gatha is sung here in a rare recording by the Mahabodhi Society of India in original Pali. The Jaya Mangala Gatha is a chant recommended by the Buddha to destroy negativity and to generate auspiciousness. It proclaims the 8 major victories of the Buddha which are: 1) Victory over Mara 2) Victory over the demon Alavaka 3) Victory over the wild elephant Nalagiri 4) Victory over serial killer Angulimala 5) Victory over the evil intentions of Cinca who sought to defame 6) Victory over the haughty brahmin Saccaka 7) Victory over the serpent king Nandopananda 8) Victory over the false views of Brahma Baka It is important to understand that most of these are allegorical stories that relate to the Buddha defeating the negative aspects of his (Mara and Alavaka) and others' minds. It is said that these verses if chanted with a clear and pure intention are helpful in protecting the seeker by attracting the Good around. The Pali pronunciation here is exemplary and difficult to find. In Pali: Bahum sahassam-abhinim mita sayudham tam Girimekhalam udita ghora sasena maram Danadidhamma vidhina jitava munindo Tarn tejasa bhavatu te jayamangalani Maratirekam-abhiyuj jhita sabbarattim Ghorampanalavaka makkha mathaddha yakkham Khanti sudanta vidhina jitava munindo Tam tejasa bhavatu te jayamangalani Nalagirim gajavaram atimatta bhutan Davaggicakkam-asanlva sudarunantam Mettambuseka vidhina jitava munindo Tarn tejasa bhavatu te jayamangalani Ukkhitta khagga mati hattha sudarunantam Dhavarn tiyojana pathan gulimala vantarn Iddhibhi sarikhatamano jitava munindo Tarn tejasa bhavatu te jayamangalani Katvana katthamudararn iva gabbhinlya Cincaya duttha vacanarn janakaya majjhe Santena somavidhina jitava munindo Tarn tejasa bhavatu te jayamangalani Saccarn vihaya matisac caka vadaketum Vadabhiropitamanam atiandhabhutam Pannapadlpajalito jitava munindo Tarn tejasa bhavatu te jayamangalani Nandopanandabhujagam vibudham mahiddhim Puttena therabhujagena damapayanto Iddhupadesa vidhina jitava munindo Tarn tejasa bhavatu te jayamangalani Duggahaditthi bhujajagena sudatthahattam Brahmam visuddhi jutimiddhi bakabhidhanarn Nanagadena vidhina jitava munindo Tarn tejasa bhavatu te jayamangalani Etapi Buddha j ayamangala atthagatha Yavacako dinadine sarate matandi Hitvana neka vividhani cupaddavani Mokkham sukham adhigameyya narosapanfio. English translation: Creating thousand hands, with weapons armed was Mara seated on the trumpeting, ferocious elephant Girimekhala. Him, together with his army, did the Lord of Sages subdue by means of generosity and other virtues. By its grace may joyous victory be thine. More violent than Mara were the indocile, obstinate demon Alavaka, who battled with the Buddha throughout the whole night. Him, did the Lord of Sages subdue by means of His patience and self-control. By its grace may joyous victory be thine. Nalagiri, the mighty elephant, highly intoxicated was raging like a forest-fire and was terrible as thunder-bolt. Sprinkling the waters of loving-kindness, this ferocious Beast, did the Lord of Sages subdue. By its grace may joyous victory be thine. With uplifted sword, for a distance of three leagues, did wicked Angulimala run. The Lord of Sages subdued him by His psychic powers. By its grace may joyous victory be thine. Her belly bound with faggots, to simulate the bigness of pregnancy, Cinca, with harsh words made foul accusation in the midst of an assemblage. Her, did the Lord of Sages subdue by His serene and peaceful bearing. By its grace may Joyous victory be thine. Haughty Saccaka, who ignored truth, was like a banner in controversy, and his vision was blinded by his own disputation. Lighting the lamp of wisdom, Him did the Lord of Sages subdue. By its grace may Joyous victory be thine. The wise and powerful serpent Nandopananda, the Noble Sage caused to be subdued by the psychic power of his disciple son (Thero Moggallana). By its grace may joyous victory be thine. The pure, radiant, majestic Brahma, named Baka, whose hand was grievously bitten by the snake of tenacious false-views, the Lord of Sages cure with His medicine of wisdom. By its grace may joyous victory be thine. The wise one, who daily recites and earnestly remembers these eight verses of joyous victory of the Budhha, will get rid of various misfortunes and gain the bliss of Nirvana.

• published: 21 May 2011
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