---
title: "Verses of the Senior Monks · Theragāthā"
author: "The Elder Monks"
translator: "Bhikkhu Sujato"
languages: [pi, en]
shelf: "Pali Canon"
section: 22 of 22
url: https://scriptura.si/works/pali-theragatha/22/
cite: "The Elder Monks, tr. Bhikkhu Sujato, Verses of the Senior Monks · Theragāthā, section 22. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/pali-theragatha/22/"
---

# Verses of the Senior Monks · Theragāthā

*The Elder Monks, tr. Bhikkhu Sujato*

Poems of awakening by more than two hundred and sixty monks of the Buddha’s time.

> Pali: the Mahāsaṅgīti Tipiṭaka (Buddha Jayanti edition, 2500), from SuttaCentral’s bilara-data, dedicated to the public domain (CC0).

> English: Bhikkhu Sujato, from SuttaCentral’s bilara-data, dedicated to the public domain (CC0). Notes are not included.

> Rows follow the segment numbers the two texts share, gathered into paragraphs; verse keeps its lines.

## 22. Chapter One · Thag 20.1–21.1

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/pali-theragatha/22/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/pali-theragatha/22/#p-N

[¶0] Thag 20.1 · Mahāmoggallāna

> Pali: Thag 20.1 · Mahāmoggallānattheragāthā

[¶1] “Living in the wilderness, eating only almsfood,
happy with the scraps in our bowls,
let us tear apart the army of death,
while remaining serene within.

> Pali: “Āraññikā piṇḍapātikā,
uñchāpattāgate ratā;
Dālemu maccuno senaṁ,
ajjhattaṁ susamāhitā.

[¶2] Living in the wilderness, eating only almsfood,
happy with the scraps in our bowls,
let us crush the army of death,
as an elephant a hut of reeds.

> Pali: Āraññikā piṇḍapātikā,
uñchāpattāgate ratā;
Dhunāma maccuno senaṁ,
naḷāgāraṁva kuñjaro.

[¶3] Living at the foot of a tree, persistent,
happy with the scraps in our bowls,
let us tear apart the army of death,
while remaining serene within.

> Pali: Rukkhamūlikā sātatikā,
uñchāpattāgate ratā;
Dālemu maccuno senaṁ,
ajjhattaṁ susamāhitā.

[¶4] Living at the foot of a tree, persistent,
happy with the scraps in our bowls,
let us crush the army of death,
as an elephant a hut of reeds.”

> Pali: Rukkhamūlikā sātatikā,
uñchāpattāgate ratā;
Dhunāma maccuno senaṁ,
naḷāgāraṁva kuñjaro”.

[¶5] “You hut, made of a chain of bones,
sewn together with flesh and sinew;
curse you mortal frame, you stink,
you cherish the parts of others!

> Pali: “Aṭṭhikaṅkalakuṭike,
maṁsanhārupasibbite;
Dhiratthu pure duggandhe,
paragatte mamāyase.

[¶6] You sack of dung swathed in skin!
You demoness with horns on your chest!
O body, you have nine streams
that are flowing all the time.

> Pali: Gūthabhaste taconaddhe,
uragaṇḍipisācini;
Nava sotāni te kāye,
yāni sandanti sabbadā.

[¶7] With its nine streams,
your body stinks, full of dung.
A monk seeking purity
would avoid it like excrement.

> Pali: Tava sarīraṁ navasotaṁ,
Duggandhakaraṁ paribandhaṁ;
Bhikkhu parivajjayate taṁ,
Mīḷhaṁ ca yathā sucikāmo.

[¶8] If they knew you
like I do,
they’d keep far away,
like a cesspit in the monsoon.”

> Pali: Evañce taṁ jano jaññā,
yathā jānāmi taṁ ahaṁ;
Ārakā parivajjeyya,
gūthaṭṭhānaṁva pāvuse”.

[¶9] “So it is, great hero!
As you say, ascetic!
But some founder here
like an old bull stuck in a bog.”

> Pali: “Evametaṁ mahāvīra,
yathā samaṇa bhāsasi;
Ettha ceke visīdanti,
paṅkamhiva jaraggavo”.

[¶10] “Whoever might think
of making the sky yellow,
or some other color,
would only trouble themselves.

> Pali: “Ākāsamhi haliddiyā,
yo maññetha rajetave;
Aññena vāpi raṅgena,
vighātudayameva taṁ.

[¶11] This mind is like the sky:
serene inside itself.
Evil-minded one, don’t attack me,
you’ll end up like a moth in a mass of fire.”

> Pali: Tadākāsasamaṁ cittaṁ,
ajjhattaṁ susamāhitaṁ;
Mā pāpacitte āsādi,
aggikhandhaṁva pakkhimā”.

[¶12] “See this fancy puppet,
a body built of sores,
diseased, obsessed over,
in which nothing lasts at all.

> Pali: “Passa cittakataṁ bimbaṁ,
arukāyaṁ samussitaṁ;
Āturaṁ bahusaṅkappaṁ,
yassa natthi dhuvaṁ ṭhiti.

[¶13] See this fancy figure,
with its gems and earrings;
it is bones swathed in skin,
made pretty by its clothes.

> Pali: Passa cittakataṁ rūpaṁ,
maṇinā kuṇḍalena ca;
Aṭṭhiṁ tacena onaddhaṁ,
saha vatthehi sobhati.

[¶14] Rouged feet
and powdered face
may be enough to beguile a fool,
but not a seeker of the far shore.

> Pali: Alattakakatā pādā,
mukhaṁ cuṇṇakamakkhitaṁ;
Alaṁ bālassa mohāya,
no ca pāragavesino.

[¶15] Hair in eight braids
and eyeshadow
may be enough to beguile a fool,
but not a seeker of the far shore.

> Pali: Aṭṭhapadakatā kesā,
nettā añjanamakkhitā;
Alaṁ bālassa mohāya,
no ca pāragavesino.

[¶16] A rotting body all adorned
like a freshly painted makeup box
may be enough to beguile a fool,
but not a seeker of the far shore.

> Pali: Añjanīva navā cittā,
pūtikāyo alaṅkato;
Alaṁ bālassa mohāya,
no ca pāragavesino.

[¶17] The hunter laid his snare,
but the deer didn’t spring the trap.
I’ve eaten the bait and now I go,
leaving the trapper to lament.

> Pali: Odahi migavo pāsaṁ,
nāsadā vāguraṁ migo;
Bhutvā nivāpaṁ gacchāma,
kaddante migabandhake.

[¶18] The hunter’s snare is broken,
but the deer didn’t spring the trap.
I’ve eaten the bait and now I go,
leaving the deer-hunter to grieve.”

> Pali: Chinno pāso migavassa,
nāsadā vāguraṁ migo;
Bhutvā nivāpaṁ gacchāma,
socante migaluddake”.

[¶19] “Then there was terror!
Then they had goosebumps!
When Sāriputta, <j>endowed with many fine qualities,
became quenched.

> Pali: “Tadāsi yaṁ bhiṁsanakaṁ,
tadāsi lomahaṁsanaṁ;
Anekākārasampanne,
sāriputtamhi nibbute.

[¶20] Oh! Conditions are impermanent,
their nature is to rise and fall;
having arisen, they cease;
their settling is such bliss.”

> Pali: Aniccā vata saṅkhārā,
uppādavayadhammino;
Upajjitvā nirujjhanti,
tesaṁ vūpasamo sukho.

[¶21] “Those who see the five aggregates
as other, not as self,
penetrate a subtle thing,
like a hair-tip with an arrow.

> Pali: Sukhumaṁ te paṭivijjhanti,
vālaggaṁ usunā yathā;
Ye pañcakkhandhe passanti,
parato no ca attato.

[¶22] Those who see conditions
as alien, not as self,
pierce a fine thing,
like a hair-tip with an arrow.”

> Pali: Ye ca passanti saṅkhāre,
parato no ca attato;
Paccabyādhiṁsu nipuṇaṁ,
vālaggaṁ usunā yathā.

[¶23] “Like they’re struck by a sword,
like their head was on fire,
a mendicant should wander mindful,
to give up sensual desire.

> Pali: Sattiyā viya omaṭṭho,
ḍayhamānova matthake;
Kāmarāgappahānāya,
sato bhikkhu paribbaje.

[¶24] Like they’re struck by a sword,
like their head was on fire,
a mendicant should wander mindful,
to give up desire for rebirth.”

> Pali: Sattiyā viya omaṭṭho,
ḍayhamānova matthake;
Bhavarāgappahānāya,
sato bhikkhu paribbaje.

[¶25] “Urged by the developed one,
who bore his final body,
I shook the stilt longhouse of Migāra’s mother
with my big toe.”

> Pali: Codito bhāvitattena,
sarīrantimadhārinā;
Migāramātupāsādaṁ,
pādaṅguṭṭhena kampayiṁ.

[¶26] “Not by being slack,
or with little strength
may this be realized—extinguishment,
the release from all ties.”

> Pali: Nayidaṁ sithilamārabbha,
nayidaṁ appena thāmasā;
Nibbānamadhigantabbaṁ,
sabbaganthapamocanaṁ.

[¶27] “This young monk,
this best of men,
bears his final body,
having vanquished Māra and his legions.”

> Pali: Ayañca daharo bhikkhu,
ayamuttamaporiso;
Dhāreti antimaṁ dehaṁ,
jetvā māraṁ savāhiniṁ.

[¶28] “Lightning flashes down
on the cleft of Vebhāra and Paṇḍava.
But in the mountain cleft he is absorbed in jhāna—
the son of the Buddha, inimitable and unaffected.”

> Pali: Vivaramanupabhanti vijjutā,
Vebhārassa ca paṇḍavassa ca;
Nagavivaragato jhāyati,
Putto appaṭimassa tādino.

[¶29] “Calm and still,
the sage in his remote lodging,
the heir to the best of Buddhas,
is honored even by the Divinity.

> Pali: Upasanto uparato,
pantasenāsano muni;
Dāyādo buddhaseṭṭhassa,
brahmunā abhivandito”.

[¶30] Calm and still,
the sage in his remote lodging,
is heir to the best of Buddhas:
Brahmin, you should honor Kassapa!

> Pali: “Upasantaṁ uparataṁ,
pantasenāsanaṁ muniṁ;
Dāyādaṁ buddhaseṭṭhassa,
vanda brāhmaṇa kassapaṁ.

[¶31] Even if someone were to be born again and again
a hundred times in the human realm,
and always as a brahmin,
a student accomplished in the Vedas;

> Pali: Yo ca jātisataṁ gacche,
sabbā brāhmaṇajātiyo;
Sottiyo vedasampanno,
manussesu punappunaṁ.

[¶32] and if he were to become a reciter,
a master of the three Vedas:
honoring such a person
isn’t worth a sixteenth of that.

> Pali: Ajjhāyakopi ce assa,
tiṇṇaṁ vedāna pāragū;
Etassa vandanāyetaṁ,
kalaṁ nāgghati soḷasiṁ.

[¶33] One who attains the eight liberations
forwards and backwards
before breakfast,
and then goes on almsround—

> Pali: Yo so aṭṭha vimokkhāni,
purebhattaṁ aphassayi;
Anulomaṁ paṭilomaṁ,
tato piṇḍāya gacchati.

[¶34] don’t attack such a mendicant!
Don’t ruin yourself, brahmin!
Let your heart have trust
in the perfected one, the unaffected;
quickly venerate him with cupped palms:
don’t let your head explode!”

> Pali: Tādisaṁ bhikkhuṁ māsādi,
māttānaṁ khaṇi brāhmaṇa;
Abhippasādehi manaṁ,
arahantamhi tādine;
Khippaṁ pañjaliko vanda,
mā te vijaṭi matthakaṁ”.

[¶35] “If you prioritize transmigration,
you don’t see the true teaching.
You’re following a twisted path,
a bad path that will lead you down.

> Pali: “Neso passati saddhammaṁ,
saṁsārena purakkhato;
Adhogamaṁ jimhapathaṁ,
kummaggamanudhāvati.

[¶36] Like a worm smeared with dung,
he is besotted with conditions.
Consumed by gain and honor,
Poṭṭhila goes on, hollow.”

> Pali: Kimīva mīḷhasallitto,
saṅkhāre adhimucchito;
Pagāḷho lābhasakkāre,
tuccho gacchati poṭṭhilo”.

[¶37] “See Sāriputta coming!
It is good to see him;
he is freed in both ways,
serene inside himself;

> Pali: “Imañca passa āyantaṁ,
sāriputtaṁ sudassanaṁ;
Vimuttaṁ ubhatobhāge,
ajjhattaṁ susamāhitaṁ.

[¶38] free of thorns, with yoking ended,
master of the three knowledges, <j>conqueror of death;
worthy of offerings,
a supreme field of merit for the people.”

> Pali: Visallaṁ khīṇasaṁyogaṁ,
tevijjaṁ maccuhāyinaṁ;
Dakkhiṇeyyaṁ manussānaṁ,
puññakkhettaṁ anuttaraṁ”.

[¶39] “These many gods,
powerful and glorious,
all 10,000 of them,
are priests of Divinity.
They stand with cupped palms
honoring Moggallāna:

> Pali: “Ete sambahulā devā,
iddhimanto yasassino;
Dasa devasahassāni,
sabbe brahmapurohitā;
Moggallānaṁ namassantā,
tiṭṭhanti pañjalīkatā.

[¶40] ‘Homage to you, O thoroughbred!
Homage to you, supreme among men!
Since your defilements are ended,
you, good fellow, are worthy of teacher’s offerings.’

> Pali: ‘Namo te purisājañña,
namo te purisuttama;
Yassa te āsavā khīṇā,
dakkhiṇeyyosi mārisa’.

[¶41] Venerated by the lordly god,
he has arisen, the master of death.
He is unsmeared by conditions,
as a lotus-flower by water.”

> Pali: Pūjito naradevena,
uppanno maraṇābhibhū;
Puṇḍarīkaṁva toyena,
saṅkhārenupalippati.

[¶42] “The mendicant by whom the galaxy
with the age of the Divinity are known in an hour—
that master of psychic ability sees the gods
at the time they pass away and are reborn.”

> Pali: Yassa muhuttena sahassadhā loko,
Saṁvidito sabrahmakappo vasi;
Iddhiguṇe cutupapāte kāle,
Passati devatā sa bhikkhu”.

[¶43] “Sāriputta is full of wisdom,
ethics, and peace.
Even a mendicant who has crossed over
might at best equal him.

> Pali: “Sāriputtova paññāya,
sīlena upasamena ca;
Yopi pāraṅgato bhikkhu,
etāvaparamo siyā.

[¶44] But in a moment I can create the likenesses
of ten million times 100,000 people!
I’m skilled in transformations;
I’m a master of psychic powers.

> Pali: Koṭisatasahassassa,
Attabhāvaṁ khaṇena nimmine;
Ahaṁ vikubbanāsu kusalo,
Vasībhūtomhi iddhiyā.

[¶45] A member of the Moggallāna clan, <j>attained to perfection and mastery
in immersion and knowledge, <j>wise in the teachings of the unattached,
with serene faculties, has burst his bonds
like an elephant bursts a vine.

> Pali: Samādhivijjāvasipāramīgato,
Moggallānagotto asitassa sāsane;
Dhīro samucchindi samāhitindriyo,
Nāgo yathā pūtilataṁva bandhanaṁ.

[¶46] I’ve served the Teacher
and fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions.
The heavy burden is laid down,
the leash to existence is eradicated.

> Pali: Pariciṇṇo mayā satthā,
kataṁ buddhassa sāsanaṁ;
Ohito garuko bhāro,
bhavanetti samūhatā.

[¶47] I’ve attained the goal
for the sake of which I went forth
from the lay life to homelessness—
the ending of all fetters.”

> Pali: Yassa catthāya pabbajito,
agārasmānagāriyaṁ;
So me attho anuppatto,
sabbasaṁyojanakkhayo.

[¶48] “What kind of hell was that,
where Dūsī was roasted
after attacking the disciple Vidhura
along with the brahmin Kakusandha?

> Pali: Kīdiso nirayo āsi,
yattha dussī apaccatha;
Vidhuraṁ sāvakamāsajja,
kakusandhañca brāhmaṇaṁ.

[¶49] There were 100 iron spikes,
each one uniquely painful.
That’s the kind of hell
where Dūsī was roasted
after attacking the disciple Vidhura
along with the brahmin Kakusandha.

> Pali: Sataṁ āsi ayosaṅkū,
sabbe paccattavedanā;
Īdiso nirayo āsi,
yattha dussī apaccatha;
Vidhuraṁ sāvakamāsajja,
kakusandhañca brāhmaṇaṁ.

[¶50] Dark One, if you attack
a mendicant who directly knows this,
a disciple of the Buddha,
you’ll fall into suffering.

> Pali: Yo etamabhijānāti,
bhikkhu buddhassa sāvako;
Tādisaṁ bhikkhumāsajja,
kaṇha dukkhaṁ nigacchasi.

[¶51] There are mansions that last an eon
standing in the middle of a lake.
Sapphire-colored, brilliant,
they sparkle and shine.
Dancing there are nymphs
shining in all different colors.

> Pali: Majjhesarasmiṁ tiṭṭhanti,
vimānā kappaṭhāyino;
Veḷuriyavaṇṇā rucirā,
accimanto pabhassarā;
Accharā tattha naccanti,
puthu nānattavaṇṇiyo.

[¶52] Dark One, if you attack
a mendicant who directly knows this,
a disciple of the Buddha,
you’ll fall into suffering.

> Pali: Yo etamabhijānāti,
… pe
…
kaṇha dukkhaṁ nigacchasi.

[¶53] I’m the one who, urged by the Buddha,
shook the stilt longhouse of Migāra’s mother
with his big toe
as the Saṅgha of mendicants watched.

> Pali: Yo ve buddhena codito,
bhikkhusaṅghassa pekkhato;
Migāramātupāsādaṁ,
pādaṅguṭṭhena kampayi.

[¶54] Dark One, if you attack
a mendicant who directly knows this,
a disciple of the Buddha,
you’ll fall into suffering.

> Pali: Yo etamabhijānāti,
… pe
…
kaṇha dukkhaṁ nigacchasi.

[¶55] I’m the one who shook the Palace of Victory
with his big toe
owing to psychic power,
inspiring deities to awe.

> Pali: Yo vejayantapāsādaṁ,
pādaṅguṭṭhena kampayi;
Iddhibalenupatthaddho,
saṁvejesi ca devatā.

[¶56] Dark One, if you attack
a mendicant who directly knows this,
a disciple of the Buddha,
you’ll fall into suffering.

> Pali: Yo etamabhijānāti,
… pe
…
kaṇha dukkhaṁ nigacchasi.

[¶57] I’m the one who asked Sakka
in the Palace of Victory:
‘Respectable sir, I hope you recall
the one who is freed through the ending of craving?’
And I’m the one to whom Sakka
admitted the truth when asked.

> Pali: Yo vejayantapāsāde,
sakkaṁ so paripucchati;
Api āvuso jānāsi,
taṇhakkhayavimuttiyo;
Tassa sakko viyākāsi,
pañhaṁ puṭṭho yathātathaṁ”.

[¶58] Dark One, if you attack
a mendicant who directly knows this,
a disciple of the Buddha,
you’ll fall into suffering.

> Pali: “Yo etamabhijānāti,
… pe
…
kaṇha dukkhaṁ nigacchasi.

[¶59] I’m the one who asked the Divinity
in the Hall of Clear Right before the assembly:
‘Respectable sir, do you still have the same view
that you had in the past?
Or do you see the radiance
surpassing the realm of divinity?’

> Pali: Yo brahmānaṁ paripucchati,
Sudhammāyaṁ ṭhito sabhaṁ;
Ajjāpi tyāvuso sā diṭṭhi,
Yā te diṭṭhi pure ahu;
Passasi vītivattantaṁ,
Brahmaloke pabhassaraṁ.

[¶60] And I’m the one to whom the Divinity
admitted the truth when asked.
‘Good fellow, I don’t have that view
that I had in the past.

> Pali: Tassa brahmā viyākāsi,
pañhaṁ puṭṭho yathātathaṁ;
Na me mārisa sā diṭṭhi,
yā me diṭṭhi pure ahu.

[¶61] I see the radiance
surpassing the realm of divinity.
So how could I say today
that I am permanent and eternal?’

> Pali: Passāmi vītivattantaṁ,
brahmaloke pabhassaraṁ;
Sohaṁ ajja kathaṁ vajjaṁ,
ahaṁ niccomhi sassato”.

[¶62] Dark One, if you attack
a mendicant who directly knows this,
a disciple of the Buddha,
you’ll fall into suffering.

> Pali: “Yo etamabhijānāti,
… pe
…
kaṇha dukkhaṁ nigacchasi.

[¶63] I’m the one who touched the peak of Mount Neru
using the power of meditative liberation.
I’ve visited the forests of the people
who dwell in the land east of Videha.

> Pali: Yo mahāneruno kūṭaṁ,
vimokkhena aphassayi;
Vanaṁ pubbavidehānaṁ,
ye ca bhūmisayā narā.

[¶64] Dark One, if you attack
a mendicant who directly knows this,
a disciple of the Buddha,
you’ll fall into suffering.

> Pali: Yo etamabhijānāti,
bhikkhu buddhassa sāvako;
Tādisaṁ bhikkhumāsajja,
kaṇha dukkhaṁ nigacchasi.

[¶65] Though a fire doesn’t think,
‘I’ll burn the fool!’
Still the fool who attacks
the fire gets burnt.

> Pali: Na ve aggi cetayati,
ahaṁ bālaṁ ḍahāmīti;
Bālova jalitaṁ aggiṁ,
āsajja naṁ paḍayhati.

[¶66] In the same way, Māra,
in attacking the Realized One,
you’ll only burn yourself,
like a fool touching the flames.

> Pali: Evamevaṁ tuvaṁ māra,
āsajja naṁ tathāgataṁ;
Sayaṁ ḍahissasi attānaṁ,
bālo aggiṁva samphusaṁ.

[¶67] Māra’s done a bad thing
in attacking the Realized One.
Wicked One, do you imagine that
your wickedness won’t bear fruit?

> Pali: Apuññaṁ pasavī māro,
āsajja naṁ tathāgataṁ;
Kiṁ nu maññasi pāpima,
na me pāpaṁ vipaccati.

[¶68] Your deeds heap up wickedness
that will last a long time, terminator!
Give up on the Buddha, Māra!
And hold no hope for the mendicants!”

> Pali: Karato te cīyate pāpaṁ,
cirarattāya antaka;
Māra nibbinda buddhamhā,
āsaṁ mākāsi bhikkhusu”.

[¶69] That is how, in the Bhesekaḷā grove,
the mendicant warned Māra.
That spirit, downcast,
disappeared right there.

> Pali: “Iti māraṁ atajjesi,
bhikkhu bhesakaḷāvane;
Tato so dummano yakkho,
tatthevantaradhāyathā”ti.

[¶70] That is how these verses were recited by the senior venerable Mahāmoggallāna.

> Pali: Itthaṁ sudaṁ āyasmā mahāmoggallāno thero gāthāyo abhāsitthāti.

[¶71] The Book of the Sixties is finished.

> Pali: Saṭṭhinipāto niṭṭhito.

[¶72] > Pali: Tatruddānaṁ

[¶73] > Pali: Saṭṭhikamhi nipātamhi,
moggallāno mahiddhiko;
Ekova theragāthāyo,
aṭṭhasaṭṭhi bhavanti tāti.

[¶74] Thag 21.1 · Vaṅgīsa

> Pali: Thag 21.1 · Vaṅgīsattheragāthā

[¶75] “Now that I’ve renounced
the lay life for homelessness,
I’m overrun
by the rude thoughts of the Dark One.

> Pali: “Nikkhantaṁ vata maṁ santaṁ,
agārasmānagāriyaṁ;
Vitakkā upadhāvanti,
pagabbhā kaṇhato ime.

[¶76] Even if a thousand warrior chiefs and great archers,
well trained, with strong bows,
were to completely surround me;
I would never flee.

> Pali: Uggaputtā mahissāsā,
sikkhitā daḷhadhammino;
Samantā parikireyyuṁ,
sahassaṁ apalāyinaṁ.

[¶77] And even if women come,
many more than that,
they won’t bother me,
for I stand firm in the teaching.

> Pali: Sacepi ettakā bhiyyo,
āgamissanti itthiyo;
Neva maṁ byādhayissanti,
dhamme samhi patiṭṭhito.

[¶78] I heard with my own ears
from the Buddha, Kinsman of the Sun,
about the path going to extinguishment;
that’s what delights my mind.

> Pali: Sakkhī hi me sutaṁ etaṁ,
buddhassādiccabandhuno;
Nibbānagamanaṁ maggaṁ,
tattha me nirato mano.

[¶79] Wicked One, if you come near me
as I meditate like this,
I’ll make sure that you, Death,
won’t even see the path I take.”

> Pali: Evañce maṁ viharantaṁ,
pāpima upagacchasi;
Tathā maccu karissāmi,
na me maggampi dakkhasi.

[¶80] “Giving up desire and discontent,
along with all thought of domestic life,
they wouldn’t get snarled in anything;
unsnarled, free of snarls: that’s a real mendicant.

> Pali: Aratiñca ratiñca pahāya,
Sabbaso gehasitañca vitakkaṁ;
Vanathaṁ na kareyya kuhiñci,
Nibbanatho avanatho sa bhikkhu.

[¶81] Whatever here is included in form—
on earth, in the sky, or in planet’s deep—
wears out, it is all impermanent:
the self-examined live having comprehended this.

> Pali: Yamidha pathaviñca vehāsaṁ,
Rūpagataṁ jagatogadhaṁ kiñci;
Parijīyati sabbamaniccaṁ,
Evaṁ samecca caranti mutattā.

[¶82] People are bound to their attachments,
to impingement of the seen and heard, <j>and to what is thought.
Unstirred, dispel desire for these things;
for one called ‘a sage’ does not cling to them.

> Pali: Upadhīsu janā gadhitāse,
Diṭṭhasute paṭighe ca mute ca;
Ettha vinodaya chandamanejo,
Yo hettha na limpati muni tamāhu.

[¶83] Trapped in the sixty wrong views, <j>full of their own opinions,
ordinary people are fixed in wrong principles.
But that mendicant wouldn’t join a sect,
still less would they utter lewd speech.

> Pali: Atha saṭṭhisitā savitakkā,
Puthujjanatāya adhammā niviṭṭhā;
Na ca vaggagatassa kuhiñci,
No pana duṭṭhullagāhī sa bhikkhu.

[¶84] Proficient, long serene,
free of deceit, alert, without envy,
the sage has reached the state of peace;
quenched, he awaits his time.”

> Pali: Dabbo cirarattasamāhito,
Akuhako nipako apihālu;
Santaṁ padaṁ ajjhagamā muni,
Paṭicca parinibbuto kaṅkhati kālaṁ.

[¶85] “Give up conceit, Gotama!
Completely abandon the different kinds of conceit!
Besotted with the different kinds of conceit,
you’ve had regrets for a long time.

> Pali: Mānaṁ pajahassu gotama,
Mānapathañca jahassu asesaṁ;
Mānapathamhi sa mucchito,
Vippaṭisārīhuvā cirarattaṁ.

[¶86] Smeared by smears and slain by conceit,
people fall into hell.
When people slain by conceit are reborn in hell,
they grieve for a long time.

> Pali: Makkhena makkhitā pajā,
Mānahatā nirayaṁ papatanti;
Socanti janā cirarattaṁ,
Mānahatā nirayaṁ upapannā.

[¶87] But a mendicant who practices rightly,
a path-victor, never grieves.
They enjoy happiness and a good reputation,
and they rightly call him a ‘Seer of Truth’.

> Pali: Na hi socati bhikkhu kadāci,
Maggajino sammā paṭipanno;
Kittiñca sukhañcānubhoti,
Dhammadasoti tamāhu tathattaṁ.

[¶88] So being not hard-hearted, but energetic,
with hindrances given up, pure;
and having completely given up conceit,
the one who makes an end with knowledge <j>is assuaged.”

> Pali: Tasmā akhilo idha padhānavā,
Nīvaraṇāni pahāya visuddho;
Mānañca pahāya asesaṁ,
Vijjāyantakaro samitāvī”.

[¶89] “I’ve got a burning desire for pleasure;
my mind is on fire!
Please, out of compassion, Gotama,
tell me how to quench the flames.”

> Pali: “Kāmarāgena ḍayhāmi,
cittaṁ me pariḍayhati;
Sādhu nibbāpanaṁ brūhi,
anukampāya gotama”.

[¶90] “Your mind is on fire
because of a perversion of perception.
Turn away from the sign
that’s attractive, provoking lust.

> Pali: “Saññāya vipariyesā,
cittaṁ te pariḍayhati;
Nimittaṁ parivajjehi,
subhaṁ rāgūpasaṁhitaṁ. (…)

[¶91] With your mind unified and serene,
meditate on the ugly aspects of the body.
With mindfulness immersed in the body,
be full of disillusionment.

> Pali: Asubhāya cittaṁ bhāvehi,
ekaggaṁ susamāhitaṁ;
Sati kāyagatā tyatthu,
nibbidābahulo bhava.

[¶92] Meditate on the signless,
give up the tendency to conceit;
and when you comprehend conceit,
you will live at peace.”

> Pali: Animittañca bhāvehi,
mānānusayamujjaha;
Tato mānābhisamayā,
upasanto carissasi”.

[¶93] “Speak only those words
that do not hurt yourself
nor harm others;
such speech is truly well spoken.

> Pali: “Tameva vācaṁ bhāseyya,
yāyattānaṁ na tāpaye;
Pare ca na vihiṁseyya,
sā ve vācā subhāsitā.

[¶94] Speak only pleasing words,
words gladly welcomed.
Pleasing words are those
that bring nothing bad to others.

> Pali: Piyavācameva bhāseyya,
yā vācā paṭinanditā;
Yaṁ anādāya pāpāni,
paresaṁ bhāsate piyaṁ.

[¶95] Truth itself is undying speech:
this is an ancient teaching.
Good people say the teaching and meaning
are grounded in truth.

> Pali: Saccaṁ ve amatā vācā,
esa dhammo sanantano;
Sacce atthe ca dhamme ca,
āhu santo patiṭṭhitā.

[¶96] The words spoken by the Buddha
for finding the sanctuary, extinguishment,
for making an end of suffering:
this really is the best kind of speech.”

> Pali: Yaṁ buddho bhāsati vācaṁ,
khemaṁ nibbānapattiyā;
Dukkhassantakiriyāya,
sā ve vācānamuttamā”.

[¶97] “Deep in wisdom, intelligent,
expert in the path and what is not the path;
Sāriputta, so greatly wise,
teaches Dhamma to the mendicants.

> Pali: “Gambhīrapañño medhāvī,
maggāmaggassa kovido;
Sāriputto mahāpañño,
dhammaṁ deseti bhikkhunaṁ.

[¶98] He teaches in brief,
or he speaks at length.
His call, like a myna bird,
overflows with inspiration.

> Pali: Saṅkhittenapi deseti,
vitthārenapi bhāsati;
Sālikāyiva nigghoso,
paṭibhānaṁ udiyyati.

[¶99] While he teaches
the mendicants listen to his sweet voice,
sounding attractive,
clear and graceful.
They listen joyfully,
their hearts elated.”

> Pali: Tassa taṁ desayantassa,
suṇanti madhuraṁ giraṁ;
Sarena rajanīyena,
savanīyena vaggunā;
Udaggacittā muditā,
sotaṁ odhenti bhikkhavo”.

[¶100] “Today, on the fifteenth day sabbath,
five hundred monks have gathered together <j>to purify their precepts.
These untroubled sages <j>have cut off their fetters and bonds,
they will not be reborn again.

> Pali: “Ajja pannarase visuddhiyā,
Bhikkhū pañcasatā samāgatā;
Saṁyojanabandhanacchidā,
Anīghā khīṇapunabbhavā isī.

[¶101] Just as a wheel-rolling monarch
surrounded by ministers
travels all around this
land that’s girt by sea.

> Pali: Cakkavattī yathā rājā,
amaccaparivārito;
Samantā anupariyeti,
sāgarantaṁ mahiṁ imaṁ.

[¶102] So disciples with the three knowledges,
conquerors of death,
revere the winner of the battle,
the unsurpassed caravan leader.

> Pali: Evaṁ vijitasaṅgāmaṁ,
satthavāhaṁ anuttaraṁ;
Sāvakā payirupāsanti,
tevijjā maccuhāyino.

[¶103] All are sons of the Blessed One—
there is no rubbish here.
I bow to the Kinsman of the Sun,
destroyer of the dart of craving.”

> Pali: Sabbe bhagavato puttā,
palāpettha na vijjati;
Taṇhāsallassa hantāraṁ,
vande ādiccabandhunaṁ.

[¶104] “Over a thousand mendicants
revere the Holy One
as he teaches the immaculate Dhamma,
extinguishment, fearing nothing from any quarter.

> Pali: Parosahassaṁ bhikkhūnaṁ,
sugataṁ payirupāsati;
Desentaṁ virajaṁ dhammaṁ,
nibbānaṁ akutobhayaṁ.

[¶105] They listen to the immaculate Dhamma
taught by the fully awakened Buddha;
the Buddha shines
at the fore of the mendicant Saṅgha.

> Pali: Suṇanti dhammaṁ vimalaṁ,
sammāsambuddhadesitaṁ;
Sobhati vata sambuddho,
bhikkhusaṅghapurakkhato.

[¶106] Blessed One, your name is ‘Giant’,
seventh of the seers.
You are like a great cloud
that rains on your disciples.

> Pali: ‘Nāganāmo’si bhagavā,
isīnaṁ isisattamo;
Mahāmeghova hutvāna,
sāvake abhivassasi.

[¶107] I’ve left my day’s meditation,
out of desire to see the Teacher.
Great hero, your disciple Vaṅgīsa
bows at your feet.”

> Pali: Divā vihārā nikkhamma,
satthudassanakamyatā;
Sāvako te mahāvīra,
pāde vandati vaṅgiso”.

[¶108] “Having overcome Māra’s wrong path,
you wander with hard-heartedness dissolved.
See him, the liberator from bonds,
dissecting the unattached section by section.

> Pali: “Ummaggapathaṁ mārassa,
Abhibhuyya carati pabhijja khīlāni;
Taṁ passatha bandhapamuñcakaraṁ,
Asitaṁva bhāgaso pavibhajja.

[¶109] You have explained in many ways
the path to cross the flood.
The Seers of Truth stand unfaltering
in the freedom from death explained by you.

> Pali: Oghassa hi nitaraṇatthaṁ,
Anekavihitaṁ maggaṁ akkhāsi;
Tasmiñca amate akkhāte,
Dhammadasā ṭhitā asaṁhīrā.

[¶110] As the bringer of light who has pierced the truth,
you’ve seen what lies beyond all planes.
When you saw and realized this for yourself,
you taught it first to the group of five.

> Pali: Pajjotakaro ativijjha,
Sabbaṭhitīnaṁ atikkamamaddasa;
Ñatvā ca sacchikatvā ca,
Aggaṁ so desayi dasaddhānaṁ.

[¶111] When the Dhamma has been so well taught,
how could those who know it be negligent?
That’s why, being diligent, we should always train
respectfully in the Buddha’s teaching.”

> Pali: Evaṁ sudesite dhamme,
Ko pamādo vijānataṁ dhammaṁ;
Tasmā hi tassa bhagavato sāsane,
Appamatto sadā namassamanusikkhe”.

[¶112] “The senior monk awakened after the Buddha,
Koṇḍañña, is keenly energetic.
He regularly gains
the blissful meditations of seclusion.

> Pali: “Buddhānubuddho yo thero,
koṇḍañño tibbanikkamo;
Lābhī sukhavihārānaṁ,
vivekānaṁ abhiṇhaso.

[¶113] Whatever can be attained by a disciple
who does the Teacher’s bidding,
he has attained it all,
through diligently training himself.

> Pali: Yaṁ sāvakena pattabbaṁ,
satthu sāsanakārinā;
Sabbassa taṁ anuppattaṁ,
appamattassa sikkhato.

[¶114] With great power and the three knowledges,
expert in encompassing the minds of others,
Koṇḍañña, the heir to the Buddha,
bows at the Teacher’s feet.”

> Pali: Mahānubhāvo tevijjo,
cetopariyakovido;
Koṇḍañño buddhadāyādo,
pāde vandati satthuno”.

[¶115] “As the sage, who has gone beyond suffering,
sits upon the mountain slope,
he is revered by disciples with the three knowledges,
conquerors of death.

> Pali: “Nagassa passe āsīnaṁ,
muniṁ dukkhassa pāraguṁ;
Sāvakā payirupāsanti,
tevijjā maccuhāyino.

[¶116] Moggallāna, of great psychic power,
encompasses with his mind,
scrutinizing their minds,
liberated, free of attachments.

> Pali: Cetasā anupariyeti,
moggallāno mahiddhiko;
Cittaṁ nesaṁ samanvesaṁ,
vippamuttaṁ nirūpadhiṁ.

[¶117] That is how those endowed <j>with many fine qualities
revere Gotama,
the sage gone beyond suffering,
perfect in every respect.”

> Pali: Evaṁ sabbaṅgasampannaṁ,
muniṁ dukkhassa pāraguṁ;
Anekākārasampannaṁ,
payirupāsanti gotamaṁ”.

[¶118] “Like the moon on a cloudless night,
like the shining immaculate sun,
so too Aṅgīrasa, O great sage,
your glory outshines the entire world.”

> Pali: “Cando yathā vigatavalāhake nabhe,
Virocati vītamalova bhāṇumā;
Evampi aṅgīrasa tvaṁ mahāmuni,
Atirocasi yasasā sabbalokaṁ”.

[¶119] “We used to wander, drunk on poetry,
from village to village, town to town.
Then we saw the Buddha,
who has gone beyond all things.

> Pali: “Kāveyyamattā vicarimha pubbe,
Gāmā gāmaṁ purā puraṁ;
Athaddasāma sambuddhaṁ,
Sabbadhammāna pāraguṁ.

[¶120] He, the sage gone beyond suffering,
taught me the Dhamma.
When we heard the Dhamma, <j>we became confident—
faith arose in us.

> Pali: So me dhammamadesesi,
muni dukkhassa pāragū;
Dhammaṁ sutvā pasīdimha,
saddhā no udapajjatha.

[¶121] Hearing him speak of
the aggregates, the sense-fields,
and the elements, I understood;
and then I went forth to homelessness.

> Pali: Tassāhaṁ vacanaṁ sutvā,
khandhe āyatanāni ca;
Dhātuyo ca viditvāna,
pabbajiṁ anagāriyaṁ.

[¶122] It is for the benefit of many
that the Realized Ones arise—
the men and women
who follow their instructions.

> Pali: Bahūnaṁ vata atthāya,
uppajjanti tathāgatā;
Itthīnaṁ purisānañca,
ye te sāsanakārakā.

[¶123] It is truly for their benefit
that the sage realized awakening—
for the monks and for the nuns
who see that they’ve reached certainty.

> Pali: Tesaṁ kho vata atthāya,
bodhimajjhagamā muni;
Bhikkhūnaṁ bhikkhunīnañca,
ye nirāmagataddasā.

[¶124] The Clear-eyed One, the Buddha,
the Kinsman of the Sun,
has well taught the four noble truths
out of sympathy for living creatures.

> Pali: Sudesitā cakkhumatā,
buddhenādiccabandhunā;
Cattāri ariyasaccāni,
anukampāya pāṇinaṁ.

[¶125] Suffering, suffering’s origin,
suffering’s transcendence,
and the noble eightfold path
that leads to the stilling of suffering.

> Pali: Dukkhaṁ dukkhasamuppādaṁ,
Dukkhassa ca atikkamaṁ;
Ariyaṁ caṭṭhaṅgikaṁ maggaṁ,
Dukkhūpasamagāminaṁ.

[¶126] As these things were taught,
so I have seen them.
I’ve realized my heart’s goal,
and fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions.

> Pali: Evamete tathā vuttā,
diṭṭhā me te yathā tathā;
Sadattho me anuppatto,
kataṁ buddhassa sāsanaṁ.

[¶127] It was so welcome for me
to be in the presence of the Buddha.
Of the well-explained teachings,
I arrived at the best.

> Pali: Svāgataṁ vata me āsi,
mama buddhassa santike;
Suvibhattesu dhammesu,
yaṁ seṭṭhaṁ tadupāgamiṁ.

[¶128] I’ve realized the perfection of direct knowledge;
my clairaudience is purified;
I am master of three knowledges, <j>attained in psychic power,
I’m expert at reading the minds of others.”

> Pali: Abhiññāpāramippatto,
sotadhātu visodhitā;
Tevijjo iddhipattomhi,
cetopariyakovido”.

[¶129] “I ask the Teacher unrivaled in wisdom,
who has cut off all doubts in this very life:
a monk has died at Āḷavī’s premier shrine,
who was well-known, famous, and quenched.

> Pali: “Pucchāmi satthāramanomapaññaṁ,
Diṭṭheva dhamme yo vicikicchānaṁ chettā;
Aggāḷave kālamakāsi bhikkhu,
Ñāto yasassī abhinibbutatto.

[¶130] Nigrodhakappa was his name;
it was given to that brahmin by you, Blessed One.
He wandered in your honor, yearning for freedom,
energetic, a resolute Seer of Truth.

> Pali: Nigrodhakappo iti tassa nāmaṁ,
Tayā kataṁ bhagavā brāhmaṇassa;
So taṁ namassaṁ acari mutyapekho,
Āraddhavīriyo daḷhadhammadassī.

[¶131] O Sakyan, All-seer,
we all wish to know about that disciple.
Our ears are eager to hear,
for you are the most excellent teacher.

> Pali: Taṁ sāvakaṁ sakka mayampi sabbe,
Aññātumicchāma samantacakkhu;
Samavaṭṭhitā no savanāya sotā,
Tuvaṁ no satthā tvamanuttarosi.

[¶132] Cut off our doubt, declare this to us;
your wisdom is vast, tell us of his quenching!
All-seer, speak among us,
like the thousand-eyed Sakka <j>in the midst of the gods!

> Pali: Chinda no vicikicchaṁ brūhi metaṁ,
Parinibbutaṁ vedaya bhūripañña;
Majjheva no bhāsa samantacakkhu,
Sakkova devāna sahassanetto.

[¶133] Whatever ties there are, or paths to delusion,
or things on the side of unknowing, <j>or that are bases of doubt
vanish on reaching a Realized One,
for his eye is the best of all people’s.

> Pali: Ye keci ganthā idha mohamaggā,
Aññāṇapakkhā vicikicchaṭhānā;
Tathāgataṁ patvā na te bhavanti,
Cakkhuñhi etaṁ paramaṁ narānaṁ.

[¶134] If no man were ever to disperse corruptions,
like the wind dispersing the stormclouds,
darkness would shroud the whole world;
not even brilliant men would shine.

> Pali: No ce hi jātu puriso kilese,
Vāto yathā abbhaghanaṁ vihāne;
Tamovassa nivuto sabbaloko,
Jotimantopi na pabhāseyyuṁ.

[¶135] The attentive are bringers of light;
my hero, that is what I think of you.
We’ve come for your discernment and knowledge:
here in this assembly, declare to us about Kappāyana.

> Pali: Dhīrā ca pajjotakarā bhavanti,
Taṁ taṁ ahaṁ vīra tatheva maññe;
Vipassinaṁ jānamupāgamimha,
Parisāsu no āvikarohi kappaṁ.

[¶136] Swiftly send forth your sweet, sweet voice,
like a goose stretching its neck, gently honking,
lucid-flowing, with lovely tone:
alert, we all listen to you.

> Pali: Khippaṁ giraṁ eraya vaggu vagguṁ,
Haṁsova paggayha saṇikaṁ nikūja;
Bindussarena suvikappitena,
Sabbeva te ujjugatā suṇoma.

[¶137] You have entirely abandoned birth and death;
curbed and pure, I urge you, speak the Dhamma!
For ordinary people <j>have no wish-granter,
but Realized Ones <j>have a comprehensibility-granter.

> Pali: Pahīnajātimaraṇaṁ asesaṁ,
Niggayha dhonaṁ vadessāmi dhammaṁ;
Na kāmakāro hi puthujjanānaṁ,
Saṅkheyyakāro ca tathāgatānaṁ.

[¶138] Your answer is definitive, and we will adopt it,
for you have perfect understanding.
We raise our cupped palms one last time,
one of unrivaled wisdom, <j>don’t deliberately confuse us.

> Pali: Sampannaveyyākaraṇaṁ tavedaṁ,
Samujjupaññassa samuggahītaṁ;
Ayamañjali pacchimo suppaṇāmito,
Mā mohayī jānamanomapañña.

[¶139] Knowing the teaching of the noble ones <j>from top to bottom,
one of unrivaled energy, <j>don’t deliberately confuse us.
Like a man baking in the summer sun <j>would long for water,
I long for your voice, so let the sound rain forth.

> Pali: Paroparaṁ ariyadhammaṁ viditvā,
Mā mohayī jānamanomavīriya;
Vāriṁ yathā ghammani ghammatatto,
Vācābhikaṅkhāmi sutaṁ pavassa.

[¶140] Surely Kappāyana did not <j>lead the spiritual life in vain?
Did he realize quenching,
or did he still have a residue?
Let us hear what kind of liberation he had!”

> Pali: Yadatthikaṁ brahmacariyaṁ acarī,
Kappāyano kaccissataṁ amoghaṁ;
Nibbāyi so ādu saupādiseso,
Yathā vimutto ahu taṁ suṇoma”.

[¶141] “He cut off craving for name and form right here,”
said the Buddha,
“the river of darkness that had long lain within him.
He has entirely crossed over birth and death.”
So declared the Blessed One, the leader of the five.

> Pali: “Acchecchi taṇhaṁ idha nāmarūpe,
(iti bhagavā)
Kaṇhassa sotaṁ dīgharattānusayitaṁ;
Atāri jātiṁ maraṇaṁ asesaṁ,
Iccabravi bhagavā pañcaseṭṭho”.

[¶142] “Now that I have heard your words,
seventh of seers, I am confident.
My question, it seems, was not in vain,
the brahmin did not deceive me.

> Pali: “Esa sutvā pasīdāmi,
vaco te isisattama;
Amoghaṁ kira me puṭṭhaṁ,
na maṁ vañcesi brāhmaṇo.

[¶143] As he said, so he did—
he was a disciple of the Buddha.
He cut the net of death the deceiver,
so extended and strong.

> Pali: Yathā vādī tathā kārī,
ahu buddhassa sāvako;
Acchecchi maccuno jālaṁ,
tataṁ māyāvino daḷhaṁ.

[¶144] Blessed One, Kappāyana saw
the starting point of grasping.
He has indeed gone far beyond
Death’s dominion so hard to pass.

> Pali: Addasa bhagavā ādiṁ,
upādānassa kappiyo;
Accagā vata kappāno,
maccudheyyaṁ suduttaraṁ.

[¶145] God of gods, best of men, I bow to you,
and to your son,
who followed your example, a great hero;
a giant, bosom son of a giant.”

> Pali: Taṁ devadevaṁ vandāmi,
puttaṁ te dvipaduttama;
Anujātaṁ mahāvīraṁ,
nāgaṁ nāgassa orasan”ti.

[¶146] That is how these verses were recited by the senior venerable Vaṅgīsa.

> Pali: Itthaṁ sudaṁ āyasmā vaṅgīso thero gāthāyo abhāsitthāti.

[¶147] The Great Book is Finished

> Pali: Mahānipāto niṭṭhito.

[¶148] > Pali: Tatruddānaṁ

[¶149] > Pali: Sattatimhi nipātamhi,
vaṅgīso paṭibhāṇavā;
Ekova thero natthañño,
gāthāyo ekasattatīti.

[¶150] > Pali: Niṭṭhitā theragāthāyo.

[¶151] > Pali: Tatruddānaṁ

[¶152] > Pali: Sahassaṁ honti tā gāthā,
tīṇi saṭṭhisatāni ca;
Therā ca dve satā saṭṭhi,
cattāro ca pakāsitā.

[¶153] > Pali: Sīhanādaṁ naditvāna,
buddhaputtā anāsavā;
Khemantaṁ pāpuṇitvāna,
aggikhandhāva nibbutāti.

[¶154] The Verses of the Senior Monks are finished.

> Pali: Theragāthāpāḷi niṭṭhitā.