The boy sleeps. Then Yasodhara herself lies down on the mat on the floor. Above her appears the vision of her dream. Under the Bodhi tree in a forest landscape Siddhattha sits. He is surrounded by a halo of light. Mara approaches to tempt him.
M. Thou art ahungered, worthy Sakyamuni,
Ahungered art thou from continued fasts,
And thou wilt starve unless thou take and eat.
I bring delicious food, take, eat and live.
B. I shall not eat until my quest be done.
Much better 'tis to die in glorious battle
Than flee and lead a coward's life, defeated.
I shall not eat, O Mara, take thee hence.
M. Wilt thou not listen to my good advice?
B. The tempter always calls his councils good,
But pleasures which he promises are evil.
M. I will not suffer thee to stay, Siddhattha,
And shall disturb thy daring quest of truth.
I'll split the Bodhi tree by lightning
And frighten thee away with rumbling thunder.
All is wrapped in darkness, except Siddhattha and the Bohdi tree. Thunder and lightning. After a while the noise abates. It grows light again. Mara's daughters appear.
M. Go forth my daughters, tempt the holy man,
And lure him from the seat of Buddahood.
Three graceful women, Mara's daughters, sing in a low enticing voice.
[Melody: The Mermaids' Song from Weber's Oberon.]
Sweetest on earth 'tis in pleasure to live,
Love thou must ask for, and love thou must give.
Pain we can soothe and assuage every smart,
Yea, we will grant thee the wish of thy heart.
Power bestow we, enjoyment and mirth,
Health and wealth also, and all that has worth.
Lo, of life's happiness naught shalt thou miss,
Satisfied longings are greatest of bliss.
While they sing they circle around the Bodhi tree and pose in graceful attitudes.
[Siddhattha does not mind Mara's daughters. They withdraw, and grotesque monsters appear in threatening attitudes, exhibiting a savage war dance, always approaching the tree and turning their weapons against the Sakyamuni, but as soon as they approach the halo they droop, unable to hurt him. Lotus flowers rain down. Sakyamuni raises his right hand. A flash of lightning and a sudden clap of thunder. The spook vanishes in darkness while the Buddha under the Bodhi tree alone remains visible in a halo of light. The forest landscape reappears in full light as before.]