---
title: "Verses of the Senior Nuns · Therīgāthā"
author: "The Elder Nuns"
translator: "Bhikkhu Sujato"
languages: [pi, en]
shelf: "Pali Canon"
url: https://scriptura.si/works/pali-therigatha/
cite: "The Elder Nuns, tr. Bhikkhu Sujato, Verses of the Senior Nuns · Therīgāthā. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/pali-therigatha/"
---
# Verses of the Senior Nuns · Therīgāthā
*The Elder Nuns, tr. Bhikkhu Sujato*
The first collection of women’s religious poetry: seventy-three nuns tell how they found freedom.
> 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.
## Contents
1. [The Book of the Ones · Thig 1.1–1.18](https://scriptura.si/works/pali-therigatha/1.md)
2. [The Book of the Twos · Thig 2.1–2.10](https://scriptura.si/works/pali-therigatha/2.md)
3. [The Book of the Threes · Thig 3.1–3.8](https://scriptura.si/works/pali-therigatha/3.md)
4. [The Book of the Fours · Thig 4.1](https://scriptura.si/works/pali-therigatha/4.md)
5. [The Book of the Fives · Thig 5.1–5.12](https://scriptura.si/works/pali-therigatha/5.md)
6. [The Book of the Sixes · Thig 6.1–6.8](https://scriptura.si/works/pali-therigatha/6.md)
7. [The Book of the Sevens · Thig 7.1–7.3](https://scriptura.si/works/pali-therigatha/7.md)
8. [The Book of the Eights · Thig 8.1](https://scriptura.si/works/pali-therigatha/8.md)
9. [The Book of the Nines · Thig 9.1](https://scriptura.si/works/pali-therigatha/9.md)
10. [The Book of the Elevens · Thig 10.1](https://scriptura.si/works/pali-therigatha/10.md)
11. [The Book of the Twelves · Thig 11.1](https://scriptura.si/works/pali-therigatha/11.md)
12. [The Book of the Sixteens · Thig 12.1](https://scriptura.si/works/pali-therigatha/12.md)
13. [The Book of the Twenties · Thig 13.1–13.5](https://scriptura.si/works/pali-therigatha/13.md)
14. [The Book of the Thirties · Thig 14.1](https://scriptura.si/works/pali-therigatha/14.md)
15. [The Book of the Forties · Thig 15.1](https://scriptura.si/works/pali-therigatha/15.md)
16. [The Great Book · Thig 16.1](https://scriptura.si/works/pali-therigatha/16.md)
## 1. The Book of the Ones · Thig 1.1–1.18
Source: https://scriptura.si/works/pali-therigatha/1/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/pali-therigatha/1/#p-N
[¶0] Thig 1.1 · An Unnamed Nun (1st)
> Pali: Thig 1.1 · Aññatarātherīgāthā
[¶1] Homage to him, the blessed one, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha!
> Pali: Namo tassa Bhagavato Arahato Sammāsambuddhassa.
[¶2] Sleep softly, little nun,
wrapped in the cloth you sewed yourself;
for your desire has been quelled,
like vegetables boiled dry in a pot.
> Pali: “Sukhaṁ supāhi therike,
Katvā coḷena pārutā;
Upasanto hi te rāgo,
Sukkhaḍākaṁ va kumbhiyan”ti.
[¶3] That is how this verse was recited by a certain unnamed nun.
> Pali: Itthaṁ sudaṁ aññatarā therī apaññātā bhikkhunī gāthaṁ abhāsitthāti.
[¶4] Thig 1.2 · Muttā (1st)
> Pali: Thig 1.2 · Muttātherīgāthā
[¶5] Muttā, be released from your yokes,
like the moon released from the eclipse.
When your mind is released,
enjoy your alms free of debt.
> Pali: “Mutte muccassu yogehi,
cando rāhuggahā iva;
Vippamuttena cittena,
anaṇā bhuñja piṇḍakan”ti.
[¶6] That is how the Buddha regularly advised the trainee nun Muttā with these verses.
> Pali: Itthaṁ sudaṁ bhagavā muttaṁ sikkhamānaṁ imāya gāthāya abhiṇhaṁ ovadatīti.
[¶7] Thig 1.3 · Puṇṇā
> Pali: Thig 1.3 · Puṇṇātherīgāthā
[¶8] Puṇṇā, be filled with good qualities,
like the moon on the fifteenth day.
When your wisdom is full,
shatter the mass of darkness.
> Pali: “Puṇṇe pūrassu dhammehi,
Cando pannaraseriva;
Paripuṇṇāya paññāya,
Tamokhandhaṁ padālayā”ti.
[¶9] That is how this verse was recited by the senior nun Puṇṇā.
> Pali: Itthaṁ sudaṁ puṇṇā therī gāthaṁ abhāsitthāti.
[¶10] Thig 1.4 · Tissā
> Pali: Thig 1.4 · Tissātherīgāthā
[¶11] Tissā, train in the trainings—
don’t let your yokes overcome you.
Unyoked from all yokes,
live in the world free of defilements.
> Pali: “Tisse sikkhassu sikkhāya,
mā taṁ yogā upaccaguṁ;
Sabbayogavisaṁyuttā,
cara loke anāsavā”ti.
[¶12] > Pali: … Tissā therī ….
[¶13] Thig 1.5 · Another Tissā
> Pali: Thig 1.5 · Aññatarātissātherīgāthā
[¶14] Tissā, apply yourself to good qualities—
don’t let the moment pass you by.
For if you miss your moment,
you’ll grieve when sent to hell.
> Pali: “Tisse yuñjassu dhammehi,
khaṇo taṁ mā upaccagā;
Khaṇātītā hi socanti,
nirayamhi samappitā”ti.
[¶15] > Pali: … Aññatarā tissā therī ….
[¶16] Thig 1.6 · Dhīrā
> Pali: Thig 1.6 · Dhīrātherīgāthā
[¶17] Dhīrā, touch cessation,
the blissful settling of perception.
Win extinguishment,
the supreme sanctuary from the yoke.
> Pali: “Dhīre nirodhaṁ phusehi,
Saññāvūpasamaṁ sukhaṁ;
Ārādhayāhi nibbānaṁ,
Yogakkhemamanuttaran”ti.
[¶18] > Pali: … Dhīrā therī ….
[¶19] Thig 1.7 · Vīrā
> Pali: Thig 1.7 · Vīrātherīgāthā
[¶20] She’s known as Vīrā because of her heroic qualities,
a nun with faculties developed.
She bears her final body,
having vanquished Māra with his legions.
> Pali: “Vīrā vīrehi dhammehi,
bhikkhunī bhāvitindriyā;
Dhāreti antimaṁ dehaṁ,
jetvā māraṁ savāhinin”ti.
[¶21] > Pali: … Vīrā therī ….
[¶22] Thig 1.8 · Mittā (1st)
> Pali: Thig 1.8 · Mittātherīgāthā
[¶23] Having gone forth in faith,
appreciate your spiritual friends, Mittā.
Develop skillful qualities
for the sake of sanctuary from the yoke.
> Pali: “Saddhāya pabbajitvāna,
mitte mittaratā bhava;
Bhāvehi kusale dhamme,
yogakkhemassa pattiyā”ti.
[¶24] > Pali: … Mittā therī ….
[¶25] Thig 1.9 · Bhadrā
> Pali: Thig 1.9 · Bhadrātherīgāthā
[¶26] Having gone forth in faith,
appreciate your blessings, Bhadrā.
Develop skillful qualities
for the sake of the supreme sanctuary from the yoke.
> Pali: “Saddhāya pabbajitvāna,
bhadre bhadraratā bhava;
Bhāvehi kusale dhamme,
yogakkhemamanuttaran”ti.
[¶27] > Pali: … Bhadrā therī ….
[¶28] Thig 1.10 · Upasamā
> Pali: Thig 1.10 · Upasamātherīgāthā
[¶29] Upasamā, cross the flood,
Death’s dominion so hard to pass.
When you have vanquished Māra and his legions,
bear your final body.
> Pali: “Upasame tare oghaṁ,
maccudheyyaṁ suduttaraṁ;
Dhārehi antimaṁ dehaṁ,
jetvā māraṁ savāhinin”ti.
[¶30] > Pali: … Upasamā therī ….
[¶31] Thig 1.11 · Muttā (2nd)
> Pali: Thig 1.11 · Muttātherīgāthā
[¶32] I’m well freed, so very well freed,
freed from the three things that humped me:
the mortar, the pestle,
and my humpbacked husband.
I’m freed from birth and death;
the leash to existence is eradicated.
> Pali: “Sumuttā sādhumuttāmhi,
tīhi khujjehi muttiyā;
Udukkhalena musalena,
patinā khujjakena ca;
Muttāmhi jātimaraṇā,
bhavanetti samūhatā”ti.
[¶33] > Pali: … Muttā therī ….
[¶34] Thig 1.12 · Dhammadinnā
> Pali: Thig 1.12 · Dhammadinnātherīgāthā
[¶35] One who is eager and determined
would be filled with awareness.
Their mind not bound to pleasures of sense,
they’re said to be heading upstream.
> Pali: “Chandajātā avasāyī,
Manasā ca phuṭā siyā;
Kāmesu appaṭibaddhacittā,
Uddhaṁsotāti vuccatī”ti.
[¶36] > Pali: … Dhammadinnā therī ….
[¶37] Thig 1.13 · Visākhā
> Pali: Thig 1.13 · Visākhātherīgāthā
[¶38] Do the Buddha’s bidding,
you won’t regret it.
Having quickly washed your feet,
sit in a discreet place to meditate.
> Pali: “Karotha buddhasāsanaṁ,
yaṁ katvā nānutappati;
Khippaṁ pādāni dhovitvā,
ekamante nisīdathā”ti.
[¶39] > Pali: … Visākhā therī ….
[¶40] Thig 1.14 · Sumanā
> Pali: Thig 1.14 · Sumanātherīgāthā
[¶41] Having seen the elements as suffering,
don’t get reborn again.
When you’ve discarded desire for rebirth,
you will live at peace.
> Pali: “Dhātuyo dukkhato disvā,
mā jātiṁ punarāgami;
Bhave chandaṁ virājetvā,
upasantā carissasī”ti.
[¶42] > Pali: … Sumanā therī ….
[¶43] Thig 1.15 · Uttarā (1st)
> Pali: Thig 1.15 · Uttarātherīgāthā
[¶44] I was restrained
in body, speech, and mind.
Having plucked out craving, root and all,
I’m cooled and quenched.
> Pali: “Kāyena saṁvutā āsiṁ,
vācāya uda cetasā;
Samūlaṁ taṇhamabbuyha,
sītibhūtāmhi nibbutā”ti.
[¶45] > Pali: … Uttarā therī ….
[¶46] Thig 1.16 · Sumanā, Who Went Forth Late in Life
> Pali: Thig 1.16 · Vuḍḍhapabbajitasumanātherīgāthā
[¶47] Sleep softly, old lady,
wrapped in the cloth you sewed yourself;
for your desire has been quelled,
you’re cooled and quenched.
> Pali: “Sukhaṁ tvaṁ vuḍḍhike sehi,
katvā coḷena pārutā;
Upasanto hi te rāgo,
sītibhūtāsi nibbutā”ti.
[¶48] > Pali: … Sumanā vuḍḍhapabbajitā therī ….
[¶49] Thig 1.17 · Dhammā
> Pali: Thig 1.17 · Dhammātherīgāthā
[¶50] I wandered for alms
though feeble, leaning on a staff.
My limbs wobbled
and I fell to the ground right there.
Seeing the danger of the body,
my mind was freed.
> Pali: “Piṇḍapātaṁ caritvāna,
daṇḍamolubbha dubbalā;
Vedhamānehi gattehi,
tattheva nipatiṁ chamā;
Disvā ādīnavaṁ kāye,
atha cittaṁ vimucci me”ti.
[¶51] > Pali: … Dhammā therī ….
[¶52] Thig 1.18 · Saṅghā
> Pali: Thig 1.18 · Saṅghātherīgāthā
[¶53] I gave up my home, my child, my cattle,
and all that I love, and went forth.
And now that I’ve given up desire and hate,
dispelled ignorance,
and plucked out craving, root and all,
I’m at peace, I’m quenched.
> Pali: “Hitvā ghare pabbajitvā,
hitvā puttaṁ pasuṁ piyaṁ;
Hitvā rāgañca dosañca,
avijjañca virājiya;
Samūlaṁ taṇhamabbuyha,
upasantāmhi nibbutā”ti.
[¶54] > Pali: … Saṅghā therī ….
[¶55] > Pali: Ekakanipāto niṭṭhito.
## 2. The Book of the Twos · Thig 2.1–2.10
Source: https://scriptura.si/works/pali-therigatha/2/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/pali-therigatha/2/#p-N
[¶0] Thig 2.1 · Abhirūpanandā
> Pali: Thig 2.1 · Abhirūpanandātherīgāthā
[¶1] Nandā, see this bag of bones as
diseased, filthy, and rotten.
With mind unified and serene,
meditate on the ugly aspects of the body.
> Pali: “Āturaṁ asuciṁ pūtiṁ,
passa nande samussayaṁ;
Asubhāya cittaṁ bhāvehi,
ekaggaṁ susamāhitaṁ.
[¶2] 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,
upasantā carissasī”ti.
[¶3] That is how the Buddha regularly advised the trainee nun Nandā with these verses.
> Pali: Itthaṁ sudaṁ abhirūpanandā therī gāthāyo abhāsitthāti.
[¶4] Thig 2.2 · Jentā
> Pali: Thig 2.2 · Jentātherīgāthā
[¶5] Of the seven awakening factors,
the path for attaining extinguishment,
I have developed them all,
just as the Buddha taught.
> Pali: “Ye ime satta bojjhaṅgā,
maggā nibbānapattiyā;
Bhāvitā te mayā sabbe,
yathā buddhena desitā.
[¶6] For I have seen the Blessed One,
and this bag of bones is my last.
Transmigration through births is finished,
now there’ll be no more future lives.
> Pali: Diṭṭho hi me so bhagavā,
antimoyaṁ samussayo;
Vikkhīṇo jātisaṁsāro,
natthi dāni punabbhavo”ti.
[¶7] That is how these verses were recited by the senior nun Jentā.
> Pali: Itthaṁ sudaṁ jentā therī gāthāyo abhāsitthāti.
[¶8] Thig 2.3 · Sumaṅgala’s Mother
> Pali: Thig 2.3 · Sumaṅgalamātātherīgāthā
[¶9] I’m well freed, well freed,
so very well freed from the pestle!
My shameless husband was most certainly a mushroom,
my mortar wafted like an eel.
> Pali: “Sumuttikā sumuttikā,
Sādhumuttikāmhi musalassa;
Ahiriko me chattakaṁ vāpi,
Ukkhalikā me deḍḍubhaṁ vāti.
[¶10] Greed and hate sizzle and hiss
as I squelch them.
Having gone to the root of a tree,
I meditate happily, thinking, “Oh, what bliss!”
> Pali: Rāgañca ahaṁ dosañca,
Cicciṭi cicciṭīti vihanāmi;
Sā rukkhamūlamupagamma,
Aho sukhanti sukhato jhāyāmī”ti.
[¶11] > Pali: … Sumaṅgalamātā therī ….
[¶12] Thig 2.4 · Aḍḍhakāsi
> Pali: Thig 2.4 · Aḍḍhakāsitherīgāthā
[¶13] The price for my services
amounted to the nation of Kāsi.
By setting that price,
the townsfolk made me priceless.
> Pali: “Yāva kāsijanapado,
suṅko me tatthako ahu;
Taṁ katvā negamo agghaṁ,
aḍḍhenagghaṁ ṭhapesi maṁ.
[¶14] Then, growing disillusioned with my form,
I became dispassionate.
Don’t journey on and on,
transmigrating through rebirths!
I’ve realized the three knowledges,
and fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions.
> Pali: Atha nibbindahaṁ rūpe,
nibbindañca virajjahaṁ;
Mā puna jātisaṁsāraṁ,
sandhāveyyaṁ punappunaṁ;
Tisso vijjā sacchikatā,
kataṁ buddhassa sāsanan”ti.
[¶15] > Pali: … Aḍḍhakāsi therī ….
[¶16] Thig 2.5 · Cittā
> Pali: Thig 2.5 · Cittātherīgāthā
[¶17] Even though I’m skinny,
sick, and very feeble,
I climb the mountain,
leaning on a staff.
> Pali: “Kiñcāpi khomhi kisikā,
gilānā bāḷhadubbalā;
Daṇḍamolubbha gacchāmi,
pabbataṁ abhirūhiya.
[¶18] Having laid down my outer robe,
and overturned my bowl,
propping myself against a rock,
I shattered the mass of darkness.
> Pali: Saṅghāṭiṁ nikkhipitvāna,
pattakañca nikujjiya;
Sele khambhesimattānaṁ,
tamokhandhaṁ padāliyā”ti.
[¶19] > Pali: … Cittā therī ….
[¶20] Thig 2.6 · Mettikā
> Pali: Thig 2.6 · Mettikātherīgāthā
[¶21] Though in pain,
feeble, my youth long gone,
I climb the mountain,
leaning on a staff.
> Pali: “Kiñcāpi khomhi dukkhitā,
dubbalā gatayobbanā;
Daṇḍamolubbha gacchāmi,
pabbataṁ abhirūhiya.
[¶22] Having laid down my outer robe
and overturned my bowl,
sitting on a rock,
my mind was freed.
I’ve attained the three knowledges,
and fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions.
> Pali: Nikkhipitvāna saṅghāṭiṁ,
pattakañca nikujjiya;
Nisinnā camhi selamhi,
atha cittaṁ vimucci me;
Tisso vijjā anuppattā,
kataṁ buddhassa sāsanan”ti.
[¶23] > Pali: … Mettikā therī ….
[¶24] Thig 2.7 · Mittā (2nd)
> Pali: Thig 2.7 · Mittātherīgāthā
[¶25] I rejoiced in the host of gods,
having observed the sabbath
complete in all eight factors,
on the fourteenth and the fifteenth days,
> Pali: “Cātuddasiṁ pañcadasiṁ,
yā ca pakkhassa aṭṭhamī;
Pāṭihāriyapakkhañca,
aṭṭhaṅgasusamāgataṁ.
[¶26] and the eighth day of the fortnight,
as well as on the fortnightly special displays.
Today I eat just once a day,
my head is shaven, I wear the outer robe.
I don’t long for the heavenly host,
for stress has been removed from my heart.
> Pali: Uposathaṁ upāgacchiṁ,
devakāyābhinandinī;
Sājja ekena bhattena,
muṇḍā saṅghāṭipārutā;
Devakāyaṁ na patthehaṁ,
vineyya hadaye daran”ti.
[¶27] > Pali: … Mittā therī ….
[¶28] Thig 2.8 · To Abhayā’s Mother From Her Daughter
> Pali: Thig 2.8 · Abhayamātutherīgāthā
[¶29] My dear mother, examine this body,
up from the soles of the feet,
and down from the tips of the hairs,
so impure and foul-smelling.
> Pali: “Uddhaṁ pādatalā amma,
adho ve kesamatthakā;
Paccavekkhassumaṁ kāyaṁ,
asuciṁ pūtigandhikaṁ.
[¶30] Meditating like this,
all my lust is eradicated.
The fever of passion is cut off,
I’m cooled and quenched.
> Pali: Evaṁ viharamānāya,
sabbo rāgo samūhato;
Pariḷāho samucchinno,
sītibhūtāmhi nibbutā”ti.
[¶31] > Pali: … Abhayamātā therī ….
[¶32] Thig 2.9 · Abhayā
> Pali: Thig 2.9 · Abhayātherīgāthā
[¶33] Abhayā, the body is fragile,
yet ordinary people are attached to it.
I’ll lay down the body,
aware and mindful.
> Pali: “Abhaye bhiduro kāyo,
yattha satā puthujjanā;
Nikkhipissāmimaṁ dehaṁ,
sampajānā satīmatī.
[¶34] Though subject to so many painful things,
I have, through my love of diligence,
reached the ending of craving,
and fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions.
> Pali: Bahūhi dukkhadhammehi,
appamādaratāya me;
Taṇhakkhayo anuppatto,
kataṁ buddhassa sāsanan”ti.
[¶35] > Pali: … Abhayā therī ….
[¶36] Thig 2.10 · Sāmā
> Pali: Thig 2.10 · Sāmātherīgāthā
[¶37] Four or five times
I left my dwelling.
I had failed to find peace of heart,
or any control over my mind.
Now it is the eighth night
since craving was eradicated.
> Pali: “Catukkhattuṁ pañcakkhattuṁ,
vihārā upanikkhamiṁ;
Aladdhā cetaso santiṁ,
citte avasavattinī;
Tassā me aṭṭhamī ratti,
yato taṇhā samūhatā.
[¶38] Though subject to so many painful things,
I have, through my love of diligence,
reached the ending of craving,
and fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions.
> Pali: Bahūhi dukkhadhammehi,
appamādaratāya me;
Taṇhakkhayo anuppatto,
kataṁ buddhassa sāsanan”ti.
[¶39] > Pali: … Sāmā therī ….
[¶40] > Pali: Dukanipāto niṭṭhito.
## 3. The Book of the Threes · Thig 3.1–3.8
Source: https://scriptura.si/works/pali-therigatha/3/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/pali-therigatha/3/#p-N
[¶0] Thig 3.1 · Another Sāmā
> Pali: Thig 3.1 · Aparāsāmātherīgāthā
[¶1] In the twenty-five years
since I went forth,
I don’t know that I had ever found
serenity in my mind.
> Pali: “Paṇṇavīsativassāni,
yato pabbajitāya me;
Nābhijānāmi cittassa,
samaṁ laddhaṁ kudācanaṁ.
[¶2] I had failed to find peace of heart,
or any control over my mind.
When I remembered the victor’s instructions,
I was struck with a sense of urgency.
> Pali: Aladdhā cetaso santiṁ,
citte avasavattinī;
Tato saṁvegamāpādiṁ,
saritvā jinasāsanaṁ.
[¶3] Though subject to so many painful things,
I have, through my love of diligence,
reached the ending of craving,
and fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions.
This is the seventh day
since my craving dried up.
> Pali: Bahūhi dukkhadhammehi,
appamādaratāya me;
Taṇhakkhayo anuppatto,
kataṁ buddhassa sāsanaṁ;
Ajja me sattamī ratti,
yato taṇhā visositā”ti.
[¶4] > Pali: … Aparā sāmā therī ….
[¶5] Thig 3.2 · Uttamā
> Pali: Thig 3.2 · Uttamātherīgāthā
[¶6] Four or five times
I left my dwelling.
I had failed to find peace of heart,
or any control over my mind.
> Pali: “Catukkhattuṁ pañcakkhattuṁ,
vihārā upanikkhamiṁ;
Aladdhā cetaso santiṁ,
citte avasavattinī.
[¶7] I approached a nun
in whom I had faith.
She taught me the Dhamma:
the aggregates, sense fields, and elements.
> Pali: Sā bhikkhuniṁ upagacchiṁ,
yā me saddhāyikā ahu;
Sā me dhammamadesesi,
khandhāyatanadhātuyo.
[¶8] When I had heard her teaching,
in accordance with her instructions,
I sat cross-legged for seven days without moving,
given over to rapture and bliss.
On the eighth day I stretched out my feet,
having shattered the mass of darkness.
> Pali: Tassā dhammaṁ suṇitvāna,
Yathā maṁ anusāsi sā;
Sattāhaṁ ekapallaṅkena,
Nisīdiṁ pītisukhasamappitā;
Aṭṭhamiyā pāde pasāresiṁ,
Tamokhandhaṁ padāliyā”ti.
[¶9] > Pali: … Uttamā therī ….
[¶10] Thig 3.3 · Another Uttamā
> Pali: Thig 3.3 · Aparāuttamātherīgāthā
[¶11] Of the seven awakening factors,
the path for attaining extinguishment,
I have developed them all,
just as the Buddha taught.
> Pali: “Ye ime satta bojjhaṅgā,
maggā nibbānapattiyā;
Bhāvitā te mayā sabbe,
yathā buddhena desitā.
[¶12] I attain the meditations on emptiness
and signlessness whenever I want.
I am the Buddha’s bosom daughter,
always delighting in extinguishment.
> Pali: Suññatassānimittassa,
lābhinīhaṁ yadicchakaṁ;
Orasā dhītā buddhassa,
nibbānābhiratā sadā.
[¶13] All sensual pleasures are cut off,
whether human or heavenly.
Transmigration through births is finished,
now there’ll be no more future lives.
> Pali: Sabbe kāmā samucchinnā,
ye dibbā ye ca mānusā;
Vikkhīṇo jātisaṁsāro,
natthi dāni punabbhavo”ti.
[¶14] > Pali: … Aparā uttamā therī ….
[¶15] Thig 3.4 · Dantikā
> Pali: Thig 3.4 · Dantikātherīgāthā
[¶16] Leaving my day’s meditation
on Vulture’s Peak Mountain,
I saw an elephant on the riverbank
having just come up from his bath.
> Pali: “Divāvihārā nikkhamma,
gijjhakūṭamhi pabbate;
Nāgaṁ ogāhamuttiṇṇaṁ,
nadītīramhi addasaṁ.
[¶17] A man, taking a pole with a hook,
asked the elephant, “Give me your foot.”
The elephant presented his foot,
and the man mounted him.
> Pali: Puriso aṅkusamādāya,
‘dehi pādan’ti yācati;
Nāgo pasārayī pādaṁ,
puriso nāgamāruhi.
[¶18] Seeing a wild beast so tamed,
submitting to human control,
my mind became serene:
that is why I’ve gone to the forest!
> Pali: Disvā adantaṁ damitaṁ,
manussānaṁ vasaṁ gataṁ;
Tato cittaṁ samādhesiṁ,
khalu tāya vanaṁ gatā”ti.
[¶19] > Pali: … Dantikā therī ….
[¶20] Thig 3.5 · Ubbirī
> Pali: Thig 3.5 · Ubbiritherīgāthā
[¶21] “You cry ‘Live, my dear mother!’ in the forest.
Ubbirī, get a hold of yourself!
Eighty-four thousand people,
all named ‘Live’,
have been burnt in this funeral ground:
which one do you grieve for?”
> Pali: “Amma jīvāti vanamhi kandasi,
Attānaṁ adhigaccha ubbiri;
Cullāsītisahassāni,
Sabbā jīvasanāmikā;
Etamhāḷāhane daḍḍhā,
Tāsaṁ kamanusocasi”.
[¶22] “Oh! For you have plucked the arrow from me,
so hard to see, stuck in the heart.
You’ve swept away the grief for my daughter
in which I once was mired.
> Pali: “Abbahī vata me sallaṁ,
duddasaṁ hadayassitaṁ;
Yaṁ me sokaparetāya,
dhītusokaṁ byapānudi.
[¶23] Today I’ve plucked the arrow,
I’m hungerless, quenched.
I go for refuge to that sage, the Buddha,
to his teaching, and to the Saṅgha.”
> Pali: Sājja abbūḷhasallāhaṁ,
Nicchātā parinibbutā;
Buddhaṁ dhammañca saṅghañca,
Upemi saraṇaṁ munin”ti.
[¶24] > Pali: … Ubbirī therī ….
[¶25] Thig 3.6 · Sukkā
> Pali: Thig 3.6 · Sukkātherīgāthā
[¶26] “What’s up with these people in Rājagaha?
They sprawl like they’ve been drinking mead!
They don’t attend on Sukkā
as she teaches the Buddha’s instructions.
> Pali: “Kiṁme katā rājagahe manussā,
Madhuṁ pītāva acchare;
Ye sukkaṁ na upāsanti,
Desentiṁ buddhasāsanaṁ.
[¶27] But the wise—
it’s as if they drink it up,
so irresistible, delectable, and nutritious,
like travelers enjoying a cool cloud.”
> Pali: Tañca appaṭivānīyaṁ,
asecanakamojavaṁ;
Pivanti maññe sappaññā,
valāhakamivaddhagū.
[¶28] “She’s known as Sukkā because of her bright qualities,
free of greed, serene.
She bears her final body,
having vanquished Māra with his legions.”
> Pali: Sukkā sukkehi dhammehi,
vītarāgā samāhitā;
Dhāreti antimaṁ dehaṁ,
jetvā māraṁ savāhinin”ti.
[¶29] > Pali: … Sukkā therī ….
[¶30] Thig 3.7 · Selā
> Pali: Thig 3.7 · Selātherīgāthā
[¶31] “There’s no escape in the world,
so what will seclusion do for you?
Enjoy erotic delights;
don’t regret it later.”
> Pali: “Natthi nissaraṇaṁ loke,
kiṁ vivekena kāhasi;
Bhuñjāhi kāmaratiyo,
māhu pacchānutāpinī”.
[¶32] “Sensual pleasures are like swords and spears
the aggregates are their chopping block.
What you call erotic delight
is now no delight for me.
> Pali: “Sattisūlūpamā kāmā,
khandhāsaṁ adhikuṭṭanā;
Yaṁ tvaṁ ‘kāmaratiṁ’ brūsi,
‘aratī’ dāni sā mama.
[¶33] Relishing is banished in every respect,
and the mass of darkness is shattered.
So know this, Wicked One:
you’re beaten, terminator!”
> Pali: Sabbattha vihatā nandī,
Tamokhandho padālito;
Evaṁ jānāhi pāpima,
Nihato tvamasi antakā”ti.
[¶34] > Pali: … Selā therī ….
[¶35] Thig 3.8 · Somā
> Pali: Thig 3.8 · Somātherīgāthā
[¶36] “That state’s very challenging;
it’s for the sages to attain.
With her two-inch wisdom,
it’s not possible for a woman.”
> Pali: “Yaṁ taṁ isīhi pattabbaṁ,
ṭhānaṁ durabhisambhavaṁ;
Na taṁ dvaṅgulapaññāya,
sakkā pappotumitthiyā”.
[¶37] “What difference does womanhood make
when the mind is serene,
and knowledge is present
as you rightly discern the Dhamma.
> Pali: “Itthibhāvo no kiṁ kayirā,
cittamhi susamāhite;
Ñāṇamhi vattamānamhi,
sammā dhammaṁ vipassato.
[¶38] Relishing is banished in every respect,
and the mass of darkness is shattered.
So know this, Wicked One:
you’re beaten, terminator!”
> Pali: Sabbattha vihatā nandī,
Tamokhandho padālito;
Evaṁ jānāhi pāpima,
Nihato tvamasi antakā”ti.
[¶39] > Pali: … Somā therī ….
[¶40] > Pali: Tikanipāto niṭṭhito.
## 4. The Book of the Fours · Thig 4.1
Source: https://scriptura.si/works/pali-therigatha/4/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/pali-therigatha/4/#p-N
[¶0] Thig 4.1 · Bhaddā Daughter of Kapila
> Pali: Thig 4.1 · Bhaddākāpilānītherīgāthā
[¶1] Kassapa is the son and heir of the Buddha,
whose mind is immersed in samādhi.
He who knows his past lives,
sees heaven and places of loss,
> Pali: “Putto buddhassa dāyādo,
kassapo susamāhito;
Pubbenivāsaṁ yovedi,
saggāpāyañca passati.
[¶2] and has attained the end of rebirth:
is a sage of perfect insight.
It’s because of these three knowledges
that the brahmin is a master of the three knowledges.
> Pali: Atho jātikkhayaṁ patto,
abhiññāvosito muni;
Etāhi tīhi vijjāhi,
tevijjo hoti brāhmaṇo.
[¶3] In exactly the same way, Bhaddā daughter of Kapila
is master of the three knowledges, conqueror of death.
She bears her final body,
having vanquished Māra with his legions.
> Pali: Tatheva bhaddā kāpilānī,
tevijjā maccuhāyinī;
Dhāreti antimaṁ dehaṁ,
jetvā māraṁ savāhiniṁ.
[¶4] Seeing the danger of the world,
both of us went forth.
Now we are tamed, our defilements have ended;
we’ve become cooled and quenched.
> Pali: Disvā ādīnavaṁ loke,
ubho pabbajitā mayaṁ;
Tyamha khīṇāsavā dantā,
sītibhūtamha nibbutā”ti.
[¶5] > Pali: … Bhaddā kāpilānī therī ….
[¶6] > Pali: Catukkanipāto niṭṭhito.
## 5. The Book of the Fives · Thig 5.1–5.12
Source: https://scriptura.si/works/pali-therigatha/5/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/pali-therigatha/5/#p-N
[¶0] Thig 5.1 · An Unnamed Nun (2nd)
> Pali: Thig 5.1 · Aññataratherīgāthā
[¶1] In the twenty-five years
since I went forth,
I have not found peace of mind,
even as long as a finger-snap.
> Pali: “Paṇṇavīsativassāni,
yato pabbajitā ahaṁ;
Nāccharāsaṅghātamattampi,
cittassūpasamajjhagaṁ.
[¶2] Failing to find peace of heart,
festering with sensual desire,
I cried with flailing arms
as I entered a dwelling.
> Pali: Aladdhā cetaso santiṁ,
kāmarāgenavassutā;
Bāhā paggayha kandantī,
vihāraṁ pāvisiṁ ahaṁ.
[¶3] I approached a nun
in whom I had faith.
She taught me the Dhamma:
the aggregates, sense fields, and elements.
> Pali: Sā bhikkhuniṁ upāgacchiṁ,
yā me saddhāyikā ahu;
Sā me dhammamadesesi,
khandhāyatanadhātuyo.
[¶4] When I heard her teaching,
I retired to a discreet place.
I know my past lives;
my clairvoyance is purified;
> Pali: Tassā dhammaṁ suṇitvāna,
ekamante upāvisiṁ;
Pubbenivāsaṁ jānāmi,
dibbacakkhu visodhitaṁ.
[¶5] I encompass the minds of others;
my clairaudience is purified;
I’ve realized the psychic powers,
and attained the ending of defilements.
I have realized the six kinds of direct knowledge,
and fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions.
> Pali: Cetopariccañāṇañca,
sotadhātu visodhitā;
Iddhīpi me sacchikatā,
patto me āsavakkhayo;
Chaḷabhiññā sacchikatā,
kataṁ buddhassa sāsanan”ti.
[¶6] > Pali: … Aññatarā therī ….
[¶7] Thig 5.2 · Vimalā, the Former Courtesan
> Pali: Thig 5.2 · Vimalātherīgāthā
[¶8] Intoxicated by my appearance,
my figure, my beauty, my fame,
and owing to my youth,
I looked down on others.
> Pali: “Mattā vaṇṇena rūpena,
sobhaggena yasena ca;
Yobbanena cupatthaddhā,
aññāsamatimaññihaṁ.
[¶9] I adorned this body
all pretty, lamented by fools,
and stood at the brothel door,
like a hunter setting a snare.
> Pali: Vibhūsetvā imaṁ kāyaṁ,
sucittaṁ bālalāpanaṁ;
Aṭṭhāsiṁ vesidvāramhi,
luddo pāsamivoḍḍiya.
[¶10] I stripped for them,
revealing my many hidden treasures.
Creating an intricate illusion,
I laughed, teasing those men.
> Pali: Piḷandhanaṁ vidaṁsentī,
guyhaṁ pakāsikaṁ bahuṁ;
Akāsiṁ vividhaṁ māyaṁ,
ujjagghantī bahuṁ janaṁ.
[¶11] Today, having wandered for alms,
my head shaven, wearing the outer robe,
I sat at the root of a tree to meditate;
I’ve gained freedom from thought.
> Pali: Sājja piṇḍaṁ caritvāna,
muṇḍā saṅghāṭipārutā;
Nisinnā rukkhamūlamhi,
avitakkassa lābhinī.
[¶12] All yokes are severed,
both human and heavenly.
Having wiped out all defilements,
I have become cooled and quenched.
> Pali: Sabbe yogā samucchinnā,
ye dibbā ye ca mānusā;
Khepetvā āsave sabbe,
sītibhūtāmhi nibbutā”ti.
[¶13] > Pali: … Vimalā purāṇagaṇikā therī ….
[¶14] Thig 5.3 · Sīhā
> Pali: Thig 5.3 · Sīhātherīgāthā
[¶15] Due to irrational application of mind,
I was racked by desire for pleasures of the senses.
I was restless in the past,
lacking control over my mind.
> Pali: “Ayoniso manasikārā,
kāmarāgena aṭṭitā;
Ahosiṁ uddhatā pubbe,
citte avasavattinī.
[¶16] Overcome by corruptions,
pursuing perceptions of the beautiful,
I gained no peace of mind.
Under the sway of lustful thoughts,
> Pali: Pariyuṭṭhitā klesehi,
subhasaññānuvattinī;
Samaṁ cittassa na labhiṁ,
rāgacittavasānugā.
[¶17] thin, pale, and wan,
for seven years I wandered,
full of pain,
finding no happiness by day or night.
> Pali: Kisā paṇḍu vivaṇṇā ca,
satta vassāni cārihaṁ;
Nāhaṁ divā vā rattiṁ vā,
sukhaṁ vindiṁ sudukkhitā.
[¶18] Taking a rope
I entered deep into the forest, thinking:
“It’s better that I hang myself
than I return to a lesser life.”
> Pali: Tato rajjuṁ gahetvāna,
pāvisiṁ vanamantaraṁ;
Varaṁ me idha ubbandhaṁ,
yañca hīnaṁ punācare.
[¶19] I made a strong noose
and tied it to the branch of a tree.
Casting it round my neck,
my mind was freed.
> Pali: Daḷhapāsaṁ karitvāna,
rukkhasākhāya bandhiya;
Pakkhipiṁ pāsaṁ gīvāyaṁ,
atha cittaṁ vimucci me”ti.
[¶20] > Pali: … Sīhā therī ….
[¶21] Thig 5.4 · Sundarīnandā
> Pali: Thig 5.4 · Sundarīnandātherīgāthā
[¶22] “Nandā, see this bag of bones as
diseased, filthy, and rotten.
With mind unified and serene,
meditate on the ugly aspects of the body:
> Pali: “Āturaṁ asuciṁ pūtiṁ,
passa nande samussayaṁ;
Asubhāya cittaṁ bhāvehi,
ekaggaṁ susamāhitaṁ.
[¶23] as this is, so is that,
as that is, so is this.
A foul stink wafts from it,
it is the fools’ delight.”
> Pali: Yathā idaṁ tathā etaṁ,
yathā etaṁ tathā idaṁ;
Duggandhaṁ pūtikaṁ vāti,
bālānaṁ abhinanditaṁ.
[¶24] Reflecting in such a way,
tireless all day and night,
having broken through
with my own wisdom, I saw.
> Pali: Evametaṁ avekkhantī,
rattindivamatanditā;
Tato sakāya paññāya,
abhinibbijjha dakkhisaṁ”.
[¶25] Being diligent,
rationally investigating,
I truly saw this body
both inside and out.
> Pali: “Tassā me appamattāya,
vicinantiyā yoniso;
Yathābhūtaṁ ayaṁ kāyo,
diṭṭho santarabāhiro.
[¶26] Then, growing disillusioned with the body,
I became dispassionate within.
Diligent, detached,
I’m quenched and at peace.
> Pali: Atha nibbindahaṁ kāye,
ajjhattañca virajjahaṁ;
Appamattā visaṁyuttā,
upasantāmhi nibbutā”ti.
[¶27] > Pali: … Sundarīnandā therī ….
[¶28] Thig 5.5 · Nanduttarā
> Pali: Thig 5.5 · Nanduttarātherīgāthā
[¶29] In the past I worshiped the sacred flame,
the moon, the sun, and the gods.
Having gone to a river ford,
I plunged into the water.
> Pali: “Aggiṁ candañca sūriyañca,
devatā ca namassihaṁ;
Nadītitthāni gantvāna,
udakaṁ oruhāmihaṁ.
[¶30] Undertaking many vows,
I shaved half my head.
Preparing a bed on the ground,
I ate no food at night.
> Pali: Bahūvatasamādānā,
aḍḍhaṁ sīsassa olikhiṁ;
Chamāya seyyaṁ kappemi,
rattiṁ bhattaṁ na bhuñjahaṁ.
[¶31] I loved my ornaments and decorations;
and with baths and oil-massages,
I pandered to this body,
racked by desire for pleasures of the senses.
> Pali: Vibhūsāmaṇḍanaratā,
nhāpanucchādanehi ca;
Upakāsiṁ imaṁ kāyaṁ,
kāmarāgena aṭṭitā.
[¶32] But then I gained faith,
and went forth to homelessness.
Truly seeing the body,
desire for sensual pleasure is eradicated.
> Pali: Tato saddhaṁ labhitvāna,
pabbajiṁ anagāriyaṁ;
Disvā kāyaṁ yathābhūtaṁ,
kāmarāgo samūhato.
[¶33] All rebirths are cut off,
wishes and aspirations too.
Unyoked from all yokes,
I’ve found peace of mind.
> Pali: Sabbe bhavā samucchinnā,
icchā ca patthanāpi ca;
Sabbayogavisaṁyuttā,
santiṁ pāpuṇi cetaso”ti.
[¶34] > Pali: … Nanduttarā therī ….
[¶35] Thig 5.6 · Mittākāḷī
> Pali: Thig 5.6 · Mittākāḷītherīgāthā
[¶36] Having gone forth in faith
from the lay life to homelessness,
I wandered here and there,
jealous of possessions and honors.
> Pali: “Saddhāya pabbajitvāna,
agārasmānagāriyaṁ;
Vicariṁhaṁ tena tena,
lābhasakkāraussukā.
[¶37] Neglecting the highest goal,
I pursued the lowest.
Under the sway of corruptions,
I never knew the goal of the ascetic life.
> Pali: Riñcitvā paramaṁ atthaṁ,
hīnamatthaṁ asevihaṁ;
Kilesānaṁ vasaṁ gantvā,
sāmaññatthaṁ na bujjhihaṁ.
[¶38] I was struck with a sense of urgency
as I was sitting in my hut:
“I’m walking the wrong path,
under the sway of craving.
> Pali: Tassā me ahu saṁvego,
nisinnāya vihārake;
Ummaggapaṭipannāmhi,
taṇhāya vasamāgatā.
[¶39] My life is short,
trampled by old age and sickness.
Before this body breaks apart,
there is no time for me to be careless.”
> Pali: Appakaṁ jīvitaṁ mayhaṁ,
jarā byādhi ca maddati;
Purāyaṁ bhijjati kāyo,
na me kālo pamajjituṁ.
[¶40] I examined in line with the truth
the rise and fall of the aggregates.
I stood up with mind liberated,
having fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions.
> Pali: Yathābhūtamavekkhantī,
khandhānaṁ udayabbayaṁ;
Vimuttacittā uṭṭhāsiṁ,
kataṁ buddhassa sāsanan”ti.
[¶41] > Pali: … Mittā kāḷī therī ….
[¶42] Thig 5.7 · Sakulā
> Pali: Thig 5.7 · Sakulātherīgāthā
[¶43] While staying at home
I heard the teaching from a monk.
I saw the stainless Dhamma,
extinguishment, the state that does not pass.
> Pali: “Agārasmiṁ vasantīhaṁ,
dhammaṁ sutvāna bhikkhuno;
Addasaṁ virajaṁ dhammaṁ,
nibbānaṁ padamaccutaṁ.
[¶44] Leaving behind my son and my daughter,
my riches and my grain,
I had my hair cut off,
and went forth to homelessness.
> Pali: Sāhaṁ puttaṁ dhītarañca,
dhanadhaññañca chaḍḍiya;
Kese chedāpayitvāna,
pabbajiṁ anagāriyaṁ.
[¶45] As a trainee nun,
I developed the direct path.
I gave up greed and hate,
along with associated defilements.
> Pali: Sikkhamānā ahaṁ santī,
bhāventī maggamañjasaṁ;
Pahāsiṁ rāgadosañca,
tadekaṭṭhe ca āsave.
[¶46] When I was fully ordained as a nun,
I recollected my past lives,
and purified my clairvoyance,
immaculate and fully developed.
> Pali: Bhikkhunī upasampajja,
pubbajātimanussariṁ;
Dibbacakkhu visodhitaṁ,
vimalaṁ sādhubhāvitaṁ.
[¶47] Conditions are born of causes, crumbling;
having seen them as other,
I gave up all defilements,
I’m cooled and quenched.
> Pali: Saṅkhāre parato disvā,
hetujāte palokite;
Pahāsiṁ āsave sabbe,
sītibhūtāmhi nibbutā”ti.
[¶48] > Pali: … Sakulā therī ….
[¶49] Thig 5.8 · Soṇā
> Pali: Thig 5.8 · Soṇātherīgāthā
[¶50] I gave birth to ten sons
in this form, this bag of bones.
Then, when feeble and old,
I approached a nun.
> Pali: “Dasa putte vijāyitvā,
asmiṁ rūpasamussaye;
Tatohaṁ dubbalā jiṇṇā,
bhikkhuniṁ upasaṅkamiṁ.
[¶51] She taught me the Dhamma:
the aggregates, sense fields, and elements.
When I heard her teaching,
I shaved off my hair and went forth.
> Pali: Sā me dhammamadesesi,
khandhāyatanadhātuyo;
Tassā dhammaṁ suṇitvāna,
kese chetvāna pabbajiṁ.
[¶52] When I was a trainee nun,
my clairvoyance was clarified,
and I knew my past lives,
the places I used to live.
> Pali: Tassā me sikkhamānāya,
dibbacakkhu visodhitaṁ;
Pubbenivāsaṁ jānāmi,
yattha me vusitaṁ pure.
[¶53] I meditate on the signless,
my mind unified and serene.
I achieved the immediate liberation,
quenched by not grasping.
> Pali: Animittañca bhāvemi,
ekaggā susamāhitā;
Anantarāvimokkhāsiṁ,
anupādāya nibbutā.
[¶54] The five aggregates are fully understood;
they remain, but their root is cut.
Curse you, wretched old age!
now there’ll be no more future lives.
> Pali: Pañcakkhandhā pariññātā,
tiṭṭhanti chinnamūlakā;
Dhi tavatthu jare jamme,
natthi dāni punabbhavo”ti.
[¶55] > Pali: … Soṇā therī ….
[¶56] Thig 5.9 · Bhaddā of the Curly Hair
> Pali: Thig 5.9 · Bhaddākuṇḍalakesātherīgāthā
[¶57] My hair plucked out, covered in mud,
I used to wander wearing just one robe.
I saw fault where there was none,
and was blind to the actual fault.
> Pali: “Lūnakesī paṅkadharī,
ekasāṭī pure cariṁ;
Avajje vajjamatinī,
vajje cāvajjadassinī.
[¶58] Leaving my day’s meditation
on Vulture’s Peak Mountain,
I saw the stainless Buddha
at the fore of the mendicant Saṅgha.
> Pali: Divāvihārā nikkhamma,
gijjhakūṭamhi pabbate;
Addasaṁ virajaṁ buddhaṁ,
bhikkhusaṅghapurakkhataṁ.
[¶59] I bent my knee and bowed,
and in his presence raised my cupped palms.
“Come Bhaddā,” he said;
that was my ordination.
> Pali: Nihacca jāṇuṁ vanditvā,
sammukhā añjaliṁ akaṁ;
‘Ehi bhadde’ti maṁ avaca,
sā me āsūpasampadā.
[¶60] “I’ve wandered among the Aṅgans and Magadhans,
the Vajjis, Kāsis, and Kosalans.
I have eaten the almsfood of the nations
free of debt for fifty years.”
> Pali: Ciṇṇā aṅgā ca magadhā,
vajjī kāsī ca kosalā;
Anaṇā paṇṇāsa vassāni,
raṭṭhapiṇḍaṁ abhuñjahaṁ.
[¶61] “O! He has made so much merit!
That lay follower is so very wise.
He gave a robe to Bhaddā,
who is released from all ties.”
> Pali: Puññaṁ vata pasavi bahuṁ,
Sappañño vatāyaṁ upāsako;
Yo bhaddāya cīvaraṁ adāsi,
Vippamuttāya sabbaganthehī”ti.
[¶62] > Pali: … Bhaddā kuṇḍalakesā therī ….
[¶63] Thig 5.10 · Paṭācārā
> Pali: Thig 5.10 · Paṭācārātherīgāthā
[¶64] Plowing the fields,
sowing seeds in the ground,
providing for partners and children,
young men acquire wealth.
> Pali: “Naṅgalehi kasaṁ khettaṁ,
bījāni pavapaṁ chamā;
Puttadārāni posentā,
dhanaṁ vindanti māṇavā.
[¶65] I am accomplished in ethics,
and I do the Teacher’s bidding,
being neither lazy nor restless—
why then do I not achieve quenching?
> Pali: Kimahaṁ sīlasampannā,
satthusāsanakārikā;
Nibbānaṁ nādhigacchāmi,
akusītā anuddhatā.
[¶66] Having washed my feet,
I took note of the water,
seeing the foot-washing water
flowing from high ground to low.
> Pali: Pāde pakkhālayitvāna,
udakesu karomahaṁ;
Pādodakañca disvāna,
thalato ninnamāgataṁ.
[¶67] My mind became serene,
like a fine thoroughbred steed.
Then, taking a lamp,
I entered my dwelling,
inspected the bed,
and sat on my cot.
> Pali: Tato cittaṁ samādhesiṁ,
assaṁ bhadraṁvajāniyaṁ;
Tato dīpaṁ gahetvāna,
vihāraṁ pāvisiṁ ahaṁ;
Seyyaṁ olokayitvāna,
mañcakamhi upāvisiṁ.
[¶68] Then, grabbing the pin,
I drew out the wick.
The liberation of my heart
was like the quenching of the lamp.
> Pali: Tato sūciṁ gahetvāna,
vaṭṭiṁ okassayāmahaṁ;
Padīpasseva nibbānaṁ,
vimokkho ahu cetaso”ti.
[¶69] > Pali: … Paṭācārā therī ….
[¶70] Thig 5.11 · Thirty Nuns
> Pali: Thig 5.11 · Tiṁsamattātherīgāthā
[¶71] “Taking a pestle,
young men pound grain.
Providing for partners and children,
young men acquire wealth.
> Pali: “Musalāni gahetvāna,
dhaññaṁ koṭṭenti māṇavā;
Puttadārāni posentā,
dhanaṁ vindanti māṇavā.
[¶72] Do the Buddha’s bidding,
you won’t regret it.
Having quickly washed your feet,
sit in a discreet place to meditate.
Devoted to serenity of heart,
do the Buddha’s bidding.”
> Pali: Karotha buddhasāsanaṁ,
yaṁ katvā nānutappati;
Khippaṁ pādāni dhovitvā,
ekamante nisīdatha;
Cetosamathamanuyuttā,
karotha buddhasāsanaṁ”.
[¶73] After hearing her words,
the instructions of Paṭācārā,
they washed their feet
and retired to a discreet place.
Devoted to serenity of heart,
they did the Buddha’s bidding.
> Pali: Tassā tā vacanaṁ sutvā,
paṭācārāya sāsanaṁ;
Pāde pakkhālayitvāna,
ekamantaṁ upāvisuṁ;
Cetosamathamanuyuttā,
akaṁsu buddhasāsanaṁ.
[¶74] In the first watch of the night,
they recollected their past lives.
In the middle watch of the night,
they purified their clairvoyance.
In the last watch of the night,
they shattered the mass of darkness.
> Pali: Rattiyā purime yāme,
pubbajātimanussaruṁ;
Rattiyā majjhime yāme,
dibbacakkhuṁ visodhayuṁ;
Rattiyā pacchime yāme,
tamokhandhaṁ padālayuṁ.
[¶75] They rose and paid homage at her feet:
“We have done your bidding;
we shall abide honoring you,
as the Thirty gods honor Indra,
undefeated in battle.
Masters of the three knowledges, we are free of defilements.”
> Pali: Uṭṭhāya pāde vandiṁsu,
“katā te anusāsanī;
Indaṁva devā tidasā,
saṅgāme aparājitaṁ;
Purakkhatvā vihassāma,
tevijjāmha anāsavā”ti.
[¶76] That is how thirty senior nuns declared their enlightenment in the presence of Paṭācārā.
> Pali: Itthaṁ sudaṁ tiṁsamattā therī bhikkhuniyo paṭācārāya santike aññaṁ byākariṁsūti.
[¶77] Thig 5.12 · Candā
> Pali: Thig 5.12 · Candātherīgāthā
[¶78] I used to be in a sorry state.
As a childless widow,
bereft of friends or relatives,
I got neither food nor clothes.
> Pali: “Duggatāhaṁ pure āsiṁ,
vidhavā ca aputtikā;
Vinā mittehi ñātīhi,
bhattacoḷassa nādhigaṁ.
[¶79] I took a bowl and a staff
and went begging from family to family.
For seven years I wandered,
burned by heat and cold.
> Pali: Pattaṁ daṇḍañca gaṇhitvā,
bhikkhamānā kulā kulaṁ;
Sītuṇhena ca ḍayhantī,
satta vassāni cārihaṁ.
[¶80] Then I saw a nun
receiving food and drink.
Approaching her, I said:
“Send me forth to homelessness.”
> Pali: Bhikkhuniṁ puna disvāna,
annapānassa lābhiniṁ;
Upasaṅkamma avocaṁ,
‘pabbajjaṁ anagāriyaṁ’.
[¶81] Out of sympathy for me,
Paṭācārā gave me the going forth.
Then, having advised me,
she urged me on to the ultimate goal.
> Pali: Sā ca maṁ anukampāya,
pabbājesi paṭācārā;
Tato maṁ ovaditvāna,
paramatthe niyojayi.
[¶82] After hearing her words,
I did her bidding.
The lady’s advice was not in vain:
master of the three knowledges, I am free of defilements.
> Pali: Tassāhaṁ vacanaṁ sutvā,
akāsiṁ anusāsaniṁ;
Amogho ayyāyovādo,
tevijjāmhi anāsavā”ti.
[¶83] > Pali: … Candā therī ….
[¶84] > Pali: Pañcakanipāto niṭṭhito.
## 6. The Book of the Sixes · Thig 6.1–6.8
Source: https://scriptura.si/works/pali-therigatha/6/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/pali-therigatha/6/#p-N
[¶0] Thig 6.1 · Five Hundred Students of Paṭācārā
> Pali: Thig 6.1 · Pañcasatamattātherīgāthā
[¶1] “One whose path you do not know,
not whence they came nor where they went;
though they came from who knows where,
you mourn that being, crying, ‘Oh my son!’
> Pali: “Yassa maggaṁ na jānāsi,
āgatassa gatassa vā;
Taṁ kuto cāgataṁ sattaṁ,
‘mama putto’ti rodasi.
[¶2] But one whose path you do know,
whence they came or where they went;
that one you do not lament—
such is the nature of living creatures.
> Pali: Maggañca khossa jānāsi,
āgatassa gatassa vā;
Na naṁ samanusocesi,
evaṁdhammā hi pāṇino.
[¶3] Unasked he came,
he left without leave.
He must have come from somewhere,
and stayed who knows how many days.
He left from here by one road,
he will go from there by another.
> Pali: Ayācito tatāgacchi,
nānuññāto ito gato;
Kutoci nūna āgantvā,
vasitvā katipāhakaṁ;
Itopi aññena gato,
tatopaññena gacchati.
[¶4] Departing with the form of a human,
he will go on transmigrating.
As he came, so he went:
why weep over that?”
> Pali: Peto manussarūpena,
saṁsaranto gamissati;
Yathāgato tathā gato,
kā tattha paridevanā”.
[¶5] “Oh! For you have plucked the arrow from me,
so hard to see, stuck in the heart.
You’ve swept away the grief for my son,
in which I once was mired.
> Pali: “Abbahī vata me sallaṁ,
duddasaṁ hadayassitaṁ;
Yā me sokaparetāya,
puttasokaṁ byapānudi.
[¶6] Today I’ve plucked the arrow,
I’m hungerless, quenched.
I go for refuge to that sage, the Buddha,
to his teaching, and to the Saṅgha.”
> Pali: Sājja abbūḷhasallāhaṁ,
Nicchātā parinibbutā;
Buddhaṁ dhammañca saṅghañca,
Upemi saraṇaṁ muniṁ”.
[¶7] That is how five hundred nuns declared their enlightenment.
> Pali: Itthaṁ sudaṁ pañcasatamattā therī bhikkhuniyo … pe….
[¶8] Thig 6.2 · Vāseṭṭhī
> Pali: Thig 6.2 · Vāseṭṭhītherīgāthā
[¶9] Struck down with grief for my son,
deranged, out of my mind,
nude, my hair flying,
I wandered here and there.
> Pali: “Puttasokenahaṁ aṭṭā,
khittacittā visaññinī;
Naggā pakiṇṇakesī ca,
tena tena vicārihaṁ.
[¶10] I lived on rubbish heaps,
in cemeteries and highways.
For three years I wandered,
stricken by hunger and thirst.
> Pali: Vīthi saṅkārakūṭesu,
susāne rathiyāsu ca;
Acariṁ tīṇi vassāni,
khuppipāsāsamappitā.
[¶11] Then I saw the Holy One
back at the city of Mithilā.
Tamer of the untamed,
the Awakened One fears nothing from any quarter.
> Pali: Athaddasāsiṁ sugataṁ,
nagaraṁ mithilaṁ pati;
Adantānaṁ dametāraṁ,
sambuddhamakutobhayaṁ.
[¶12] Regaining my mind,
I paid homage and sat down.
Out of compassion
Gotama taught me the Dhamma.
> Pali: Sacittaṁ paṭiladdhāna,
vanditvāna upāvisiṁ;
So me dhammamadesesi,
anukampāya gotamo.
[¶13] After hearing his teaching,
I went forth to homelessness.
Applying myself to the Teacher’s words,
I realized the state of grace.
> Pali: Tassa dhammaṁ suṇitvāna,
pabbajiṁ anagāriyaṁ;
Yuñjantī satthuvacane,
sacchākāsiṁ padaṁ sivaṁ.
[¶14] All sorrows are cut off,
given up, they end here.
I’ve fully understood the basis
from which grief comes to be.
> Pali: Sabbe sokā samucchinnā,
pahīnā etadantikā;
Pariññātā hi me vatthū,
yato sokāna sambhavo”ti.
[¶15] > Pali: … Vāseṭṭhī therī ….
[¶16] Thig 6.3 · Khemā
> Pali: Thig 6.3 · Khemātherīgāthā
[¶17] “You’re so young and beautiful!
I too am young, just a youth.
Come, Khemā, let us enjoy
the music of a five-piece band.”
> Pali: “Daharā tvaṁ rūpavatī,
ahampi daharo yuvā;
Pañcaṅgikena turiyena,
ehi kheme ramāmase”.
[¶18] “This body is rotting,
ailing and frail,
I’m horrified and repelled by it,
and I’ve eradicated sensual craving.
> Pali: “Iminā pūtikāyena,
āturena pabhaṅgunā;
Aṭṭiyāmi harāyāmi,
kāmataṇhā samūhatā.
[¶19] Sensual pleasures are like swords and spears;
the aggregates are their chopping block.
What you call erotic delight
is now no delight for me.
> Pali: Sattisūlūpamā kāmā,
khandhāsaṁ adhikuṭṭanā;
Yaṁ ‘tvaṁ kāmaratiṁ’ brūsi,
‘aratī’ dāni sā mama.
[¶20] Relishing is banished in every respect,
and the mass of darkness is shattered.
So know this, Wicked One:
you’re beaten, terminator!”
> Pali: Sabbattha vihatā nandī,
tamokhandho padālito;
Evaṁ jānāhi pāpima,
nihato tvamasi antaka.
[¶21] “Worshiping the stars,
serving the sacred flame in a grove;
failing to grasp the true nature of things,
foolish me, I thought this was purity.
> Pali: Nakkhattāni namassantā,
aggiṁ paricaraṁ vane;
Yathābhuccamajānantā,
bālā suddhimamaññatha.
[¶22] But now I worship the Awakened One,
supreme among men.
Doing the Teacher’s bidding,
I am released from all suffering.”
> Pali: Ahañca kho namassantī,
sambuddhaṁ purisuttamaṁ;
Pamuttā sabbadukkhehi,
satthusāsanakārikā”ti.
[¶23] > Pali: … Khemā therī ….
[¶24] Thig 6.4 · Sujātā
> Pali: Thig 6.4 · Sujātātherīgāthā
[¶25] I was adorned with jewelry and all dressed up,
with garlands, and sandalwood makeup piled on,
all covered over with decorations,
and surrounded by my maids.
> Pali: “Alaṅkatā suvasanā,
mālinī candanokkhitā;
Sabbābharaṇasañchannā,
dāsīgaṇapurakkhatā.
[¶26] Taking food and drink,
staples and dainties in no small amount,
I left my house
and took myself to the park.
> Pali: Annaṁ pānañca ādāya,
khajjaṁ bhojjaṁ anappakaṁ;
Gehato nikkhamitvāna,
uyyānamabhihārayiṁ.
[¶27] I enjoyed myself there and played about,
and then, returning to my own house,
I saw a monastic dwelling,
and so I entered the Añjana wood at Sāketa.
> Pali: Tattha ramitvā kīḷitvā,
āgacchantī sakaṁ gharaṁ;
Vihāraṁ daṭṭhuṁ pāvisiṁ,
sākete añjanaṁ vanaṁ.
[¶28] Seeing the light of the world,
I paid homage and sat down.
Out of compassion
the Clear-eyed One taught me the Dhamma.
> Pali: Disvāna lokapajjotaṁ,
vanditvāna upāvisiṁ;
So me dhammamadesesi,
anukampāya cakkhumā.
[¶29] When I heard the great seer,
I penetrated the truth.
Right there I found the stainless Dhamma,
the state free of death.
> Pali: Sutvā ca kho mahesissa,
saccaṁ sampaṭivijjhahaṁ;
Tattheva virajaṁ dhammaṁ,
phusayiṁ amataṁ padaṁ.
[¶30] Then, having understood the true teaching,
I went forth to homelessness.
I’ve attained the three knowledges;
the Buddha’s bidding was not in vain.
> Pali: Tato viññātasaddhammā,
pabbajiṁ anagāriyaṁ;
Tisso vijjā anuppattā,
amoghaṁ buddhasāsanan”ti.
[¶31] > Pali: … Sujātā therī ….
[¶32] Thig 6.5 · Anopamā
> Pali: Thig 6.5 · Anopamātherīgāthā
[¶33] I was born into an eminent family,
affluent and wealthy,
endowed with a beautiful complexion and figure;
Majjha’s true-born daughter.
> Pali: “Ucce kule ahaṁ jātā,
bahuvitte mahaddhane;
Vaṇṇarūpena sampannā,
dhītā majjhassa atrajā.
[¶34] I was sought by princes,
coveted by sons of the wealthy.
One sent a messenger to my father:
“Give me Anopamā!
> Pali: Patthitā rājaputtehi,
seṭṭhiputtehi gijjhitā;
Pitu me pesayī dūtaṁ,
detha mayhaṁ anopamaṁ.
[¶35] However much your daughter
Anopamā weighs,
I’ll give you eight times that
in gold coin and gems.”
> Pali: Yattakaṁ tulitā esā,
tuyhaṁ dhītā anopamā;
Tato aṭṭhaguṇaṁ dassaṁ,
hiraññaṁ ratanāni ca.
[¶36] When I saw the Awakened One,
the world’s Elder, unsurpassed,
I paid homage at his feet,
and withdrew to one side.
> Pali: Sāhaṁ disvāna sambuddhaṁ,
lokajeṭṭhaṁ anuttaraṁ;
Tassa pādāni vanditvā,
ekamantaṁ upāvisiṁ.
[¶37] Out of compassion,
Gotama taught me the Dhamma.
While sitting in that seat,
I realized the third fruit.
> Pali: So me dhammamadesesi,
anukampāya gotamo;
Nisinnā āsane tasmiṁ,
phusayiṁ tatiyaṁ phalaṁ.
[¶38] Then, having shaved off my hair,
I went forth to homelessness.
This is the seventh day
since my craving dried up.
> Pali: Tato kesāni chetvāna,
pabbajiṁ anagāriyaṁ;
Ajja me sattamī ratti,
yato taṇhā visositā”ti.
[¶39] > Pali: … Anopamā therī ….
[¶40] Thig 6.6 · Mahāpajāpati Gotamī
> Pali: Thig 6.6 · Mahāpajāpatigotamītherīgāthā
[¶41] Oh Buddha, my hero: homage to you!
Supreme among all beings,
who released me from suffering,
and many other beings as well.
> Pali: “Buddha vīra namo tyatthu,
sabbasattānamuttama;
Yo maṁ dukkhā pamocesi,
aññañca bahukaṁ janaṁ.
[¶42] All suffering is fully understood;
craving—its cause—is dried up;
the eightfold path has been developed;
and cessation has been realized by me.
> Pali: Sabbadukkhaṁ pariññātaṁ,
Hetutaṇhā visositā;
Bhāvito aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo,
Nirodho phusito mayā.
[¶43] Previously I was a mother, a son,
a father, a brother, and a grandmother.
Failing to grasp the true nature of things,
I transmigrated without reward.
> Pali: Mātā putto pitā bhātā,
ayyakā ca pure ahuṁ;
Yathābhuccamajānantī,
saṁsariṁhaṁ anibbisaṁ.
[¶44] Since I have seen the Blessed One,
this bag of bones is my last.
Transmigration through births is finished,
now there’ll be no more future lives.
> Pali: Diṭṭho hi me so bhagavā,
antimoyaṁ samussayo;
Vikkhīṇo jātisaṁsāro,
natthi dāni punabbhavo.
[¶45] I see the disciples in harmony,
energetic and resolute,
always staunchly vigorous—
this is homage to the Buddhas!
> Pali: Āraddhavīriye pahitatte,
Niccaṁ daḷhaparakkame;
Samagge sāvake passe,
Esā buddhāna vandanā.
[¶46] It was truly for the benefit of many
that Māyā gave birth to Gotama.
He swept away the mass of suffering
for those stricken by sickness and death.
> Pali: Bahūnaṁ vata atthāya,
Māyā janayi gotamaṁ;
Byādhimaraṇatunnānaṁ,
Dukkhakkhandhaṁ byapānudī”ti.
[¶47] > Pali: … Mahāpajāpatigotamī therī ….
[¶48] Thig 6.7 · Guttā
> Pali: Thig 6.7 · Guttātherīgāthā
[¶49] Guttā, you have given up your child,
your wealth, and all that you love.
Foster the goal for which you went forth;
do not fall under the mind’s control.
> Pali: “Gutte yadatthaṁ pabbajjā,
hitvā puttaṁ vasuṁ piyaṁ;
Tameva anubrūhehi,
mā cittassa vasaṁ gami.
[¶50] Beings deceived by the mind,
playing in Māra’s domain,
ignorant, they journey on,
transmigrating through countless rebirths.
> Pali: Cittena vañcitā sattā,
mārassa visaye ratā;
Anekajātisaṁsāraṁ,
sandhāvanti aviddasū.
[¶51] Sensual desire and ill will,
and substantialist view;
misapprehension of precepts and observances,
and doubt as the fifth.
> Pali: Kāmacchandañca byāpādaṁ,
sakkāyadiṭṭhimeva ca;
Sīlabbataparāmāsaṁ,
vicikicchañca pañcamaṁ.
[¶52] O nun, when you have given up
these lower fetters,
you won’t come back
to this world again.
> Pali: Saṁyojanāni etāni,
pajahitvāna bhikkhunī;
Orambhāgamanīyāni,
nayidaṁ punarehisi.
[¶53] And when you’re rid of desire,
conceit, ignorance, and restlessness,
having cut the fetters,
you’ll make an end to suffering.
> Pali: Rāgaṁ mānaṁ avijjañca,
uddhaccañca vivajjiya;
Saṁyojanāni chetvāna,
dukkhassantaṁ karissasi.
[¶54] Having wiped out transmigration,
and fully understood rebirth,
hungerless in this very life,
you will live at peace.
> Pali: Khepetvā jātisaṁsāraṁ,
pariññāya punabbhavaṁ;
Diṭṭheva dhamme nicchātā,
upasantā carissatī”ti.
[¶55] > Pali: … Guttā therī ….
[¶56] Thig 6.8 · Vijayā
> Pali: Thig 6.8 · Vijayātherīgāthā
[¶57] Four or five times
I left my dwelling;
I had failed to find peace of heart,
or any control over my mind.
> Pali: “Catukkhattuṁ pañcakkhattuṁ,
vihārā upanikkhamiṁ;
Aladdhā cetaso santiṁ,
citte avasavattinī.
[¶58] I approached a nun
and politely questioned her.
She taught me the Dhamma:
the elements and sense fields,
> Pali: Bhikkhuniṁ upasaṅkamma,
sakkaccaṁ paripucchahaṁ;
Sā me dhammamadesesi,
dhātuāyatanāni ca.
[¶59] the four noble truths,
the faculties and the powers,
the awakening factors, and the eightfold path
for the attainment of the highest goal.
> Pali: Cattāri ariyasaccāni,
indriyāni balāni ca;
Bojjhaṅgaṭṭhaṅgikaṁ maggaṁ,
uttamatthassa pattiyā.
[¶60] After hearing her words,
I did her bidding.
In the first watch of the night,
I recollected my past lives.
> Pali: Tassāhaṁ vacanaṁ sutvā,
karontī anusāsaniṁ;
Rattiyā purime yāme,
pubbajātimanussariṁ.
[¶61] In the middle watch of the night,
I purified my clairvoyance.
In the last watch of the night,
I shattered the mass of darkness.
> Pali: Rattiyā majjhime yāme,
dibbacakkhuṁ visodhayiṁ;
Rattiyā pacchime yāme,
tamokhandhaṁ padālayiṁ.
[¶62] I then meditated pervading my body
with rapture and bliss.
On the seventh day I stretched out my feet,
having shattered the mass of darkness.
> Pali: Pītisukhena ca kāyaṁ,
Pharitvā vihariṁ tadā;
Sattamiyā pāde pasāresiṁ,
Tamokhandhaṁ padāliyā”ti.
[¶63] > Pali: … Vijayā therī ….
[¶64] > Pali: Chakkanipāto niṭṭhito.
## 7. The Book of the Sevens · Thig 7.1–7.3
Source: https://scriptura.si/works/pali-therigatha/7/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/pali-therigatha/7/#p-N
[¶0] Thig 7.1 · Uttarā (2nd)
> Pali: Thig 7.1 · Uttarātherīgāthā
[¶1] “Taking a pestle,
young men pound grain.
Providing for partners and children,
young men acquire wealth.
> Pali: “Musalāni gahetvāna,
dhaññaṁ koṭṭenti māṇavā;
Puttadārāni posentā,
dhanaṁ vindanti māṇavā.
[¶2] Work at the Buddha’s bidding,
you won’t regret it.
Having quickly washed your feet,
sit in a discreet place to meditate.
> Pali: Ghaṭetha buddhasāsane,
yaṁ katvā nānutappati;
Khippaṁ pādāni dhovitvā,
ekamantaṁ nisīdatha.
[¶3] Establish the mind,
unified and serene.
Examine conditions
as alien, not as self.”
> Pali: Cittaṁ upaṭṭhapetvāna,
ekaggaṁ susamāhitaṁ;
Paccavekkhatha saṅkhāre,
parato no ca attato”.
[¶4] “After hearing her words,
the instructions of Paṭācārā,
I washed my feet
and retired to a discreet place.
> Pali: “Tassāhaṁ vacanaṁ sutvā,
paṭācārānusāsaniṁ;
Pāde pakkhālayitvāna,
ekamante upāvisiṁ.
[¶5] In the first watch of the night,
I recollected my past lives.
In the middle watch of the night,
I purified my clairvoyance.
> Pali: Rattiyā purime yāme,
pubbajātimanussariṁ;
Rattiyā majjhime yāme,
dibbacakkhuṁ visodhayiṁ.
[¶6] In the last watch of the night,
I shattered the mass of darkness.
I rose up master of the three knowledges:
your bidding has been done.
> Pali: Rattiyā pacchime yāme,
tamokhandhaṁ padālayiṁ;
Tevijjā atha vuṭṭhāsiṁ,
katā te anusāsanī.
[¶7] I shall abide honoring you
as the Thirty gods honor Sakka,
undefeated in battle.
Master of the three knowledges, I am free of defilements.”
> Pali: Sakkaṁva devā tidasā,
saṅgāme aparājitaṁ;
Purakkhatvā vihassāmi,
tevijjāmhi anāsavā”.
[¶8] > Pali: … Uttarā therī ….
[¶9] Thig 7.2 · Cālā
> Pali: Thig 7.2 · Cālātherīgāthā
[¶10] “As a nun with developed faculties,
having established mindfulness,
I penetrated that peaceful state,
the blissful stilling of conditions.”
> Pali: “Satiṁ upaṭṭhapetvāna,
bhikkhunī bhāvitindriyā;
Paṭivijjhi padaṁ santaṁ,
saṅkhārūpasamaṁ sukhaṁ”.
[¶11] “In whose name did you shave your head?
You look like an ascetic,
but you don’t approve any creed.
Why do you wander as if lost?”
> Pali: “Kaṁ nu uddissa muṇḍāsi,
samaṇī viya dissasi;
Na ca rocesi pāsaṇḍe,
kimidaṁ carasi momuhā”.
[¶12] “Followers of other creeds
rely on their views.
They don’t understand the Dhamma,
for they’re no experts in the Dhamma.
> Pali: “Ito bahiddhā pāsaṇḍā,
diṭṭhiyo upanissitā;
Na te dhammaṁ vijānanti,
na te dhammassa kovidā.
[¶13] But there is one born in the Sakyan clan,
the unrivaled Buddha;
he taught me the Dhamma
for going beyond views.
> Pali: Atthi sakyakule jāto,
buddho appaṭipuggalo;
So me dhammamadesesi,
diṭṭhīnaṁ samatikkamaṁ.
[¶14] 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.
[¶15] After hearing his words,
I happily did his bidding.
I’ve attained the three knowledges
and fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions.
> Pali: Tassāhaṁ vacanaṁ sutvā,
vihariṁ sāsane ratā;
Tisso vijjā anuppattā,
kataṁ buddhassa sāsanaṁ.
[¶16] Relishing is banished in every respect,
and the mass of darkness is shattered.
So know this, Wicked One:
you’re beaten, terminator!”
> Pali: Sabbattha vihatā nandī,
tamokhandho padālito;
Evaṁ jānāhi pāpima,
nihato tvamasi antaka”.
[¶17] > Pali: … Cālā therī ….
[¶18] Thig 7.3 · Upacālā
> Pali: Thig 7.3 · Upacālātherīgāthā
[¶19] “A nun with faculties developed,
mindful, seeing clearly,
I penetrated that peaceful state,
which reprobates do not cultivate.”
> Pali: “Satimatī cakkhumatī,
bhikkhunī bhāvitindriyā;
Paṭivijjhi padaṁ santaṁ,
akāpurisasevitaṁ”.
[¶20] “Why don’t you approve of rebirth?
When you’re born, you get to enjoy sensual pleasures.
Enjoy erotic delights;
don’t regret it later.”
> Pali: “Kiṁ nu jātiṁ na rocesi,
jāto kāmāni bhuñjati;
Bhuñjāhi kāmaratiyo,
māhu pacchānutāpinī”.
[¶21] “Death comes to those who are born;
and when born they fall into suffering:
the chopping off of hands and feet,
killing, caging, misery.
> Pali: “Jātassa maraṇaṁ hoti,
hatthapādāna chedanaṁ;
Vadhabandhapariklesaṁ,
jāto dukkhaṁ nigacchati.
[¶22] But there is one born in the Sakyan clan,
awakened and undefeated.
He taught me the Dhamma
for transcending rebirth:
> Pali: Atthi sakyakule jāto,
sambuddho aparājito;
So me dhammamadesesi,
jātiyā samatikkamaṁ.
[¶23] 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.
[¶24] After hearing his words,
I happily did his bidding.
I’ve attained the three knowledges
and fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions.
> Pali: Tassāhaṁ vacanaṁ sutvā,
vihariṁ sāsane ratā;
Tisso vijjā anuppattā,
kataṁ buddhassa sāsanaṁ.
[¶25] Relishing is banished in every respect,
and the mass of darkness is shattered.
So know this, Wicked One:
you’re beaten, terminator!”
> Pali: Sabbattha vihatā nandī,
tamokhandho padālito;
Evaṁ jānāhi pāpima,
nihato tvamasi antaka”.
[¶26] > Pali: … Upacālā therī ….
[¶27] > Pali: Sattakanipāto niṭṭhito.
## 8. The Book of the Eights · Thig 8.1
Source: https://scriptura.si/works/pali-therigatha/8/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/pali-therigatha/8/#p-N
[¶0] Thig 8.1 · Sīsūpacālā
> Pali: Thig 8.1 · Sīsūpacālātherīgāthā
[¶1] “A nun accomplished in ethics,
her sense faculties well-restrained,
would realize the peaceful state,
so delectable and nutritious.”
> Pali: “Bhikkhunī sīlasampannā,
indriyesu susaṁvutā;
Adhigacche padaṁ santaṁ,
asecanakamojavaṁ”.
[¶2] “There are the gods of the thirty-three, and those of Yama;
also the Joyful Deities,
the gods who love to create,
and the gods who control what is created by others.
Set your heart on such places,
where you used to live.”
> Pali: “Tāvatiṁsā ca yāmā ca,
tusitā cāpi devatā;
Nimmānaratino devā,
ye devā vasavattino;
Tattha cittaṁ paṇīdhehi,
yattha te vusitaṁ pure”.
[¶3] “The gods of the thirty-three, and those of Yama;
also the Joyful Deities,
the gods who love to create,
and the gods who control what is created by others—
> Pali: “Tāvatiṁsā ca yāmā ca,
tusitā cāpi devatā;
Nimmānaratino devā,
ye devā vasavattino.
[¶4] time after time, life after life,
are governed by substantial reality.
They haven’t passed beyond substantial reality,
those who transmigrate through birth and death.
> Pali: Kālaṁ kālaṁ bhavābhavaṁ,
sakkāyasmiṁ purakkhatā;
Avītivattā sakkāyaṁ,
jātimaraṇasārino.
[¶5] All the world is on fire,
all the world is alight,
all the world is ablaze,
all the world is rocking.
> Pali: Sabbo ādīpito loko,
sabbo loko padīpito;
Sabbo pajjalito loko,
sabbo loko pakampito.
[¶6] The Buddha taught me the Dhamma,
unshakable, incomparable,
not frequented by ordinary people;
my mind adores that place.
> Pali: Akampiyaṁ atuliyaṁ,
aputhujjanasevitaṁ;
Buddho dhammamadesesi,
tattha me nirato mano.
[¶7] After hearing his words,
I happily did his bidding.
I’ve attained the three knowledges,
and fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions.
> Pali: Tassāhaṁ vacanaṁ sutvā,
vihariṁ sāsane ratā;
Tisso vijjā anuppattā,
kataṁ buddhassa sāsanaṁ.
[¶8] Relishing is banished in every respect,
and the mass of darkness is shattered.
So know this, Wicked One:
you’re beaten, terminator!”
> Pali: Sabbattha vihatā nandī,
tamokhandho padālito;
Evaṁ jānāhi pāpima,
nihato tvamasi antaka”.
[¶9] > Pali: … Sīsūpacālā therī ….
[¶10] > Pali: Aṭṭhakanipāto niṭṭhito.
## 9. The Book of the Nines · Thig 9.1
Source: https://scriptura.si/works/pali-therigatha/9/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/pali-therigatha/9/#p-N
[¶0] Thig 9.1 · Vaḍḍha’s Mother
> Pali: Thig 9.1 · Vaḍḍhamātutherīgāthā
[¶1] “Vaḍḍha, please never ever
get snarled in the world.
My child, do not partake
in suffering again and again.
> Pali: “Mā su te vaḍḍha lokamhi,
vanatho āhu kudācanaṁ;
Mā puttaka punappunaṁ,
ahu dukkhassa bhāgimā.
[¶2] For happy dwell the sages, Vaḍḍha,
unstirred, their doubts cut off,
cooled and tamed,
and free of defilements.
> Pali: Sukhañhi vaḍḍha munayo,
anejā chinnasaṁsayā;
Sītibhūtā damappattā,
viharanti anāsavā.
[¶3] Vaḍḍha, foster the path
that the seers have walked,
for the attainment of vision,
and for making an end of suffering.”
> Pali: Tehānuciṇṇaṁ isībhi,
maggaṁ dassanapattiyā;
Dukkhassantakiriyāya,
tvaṁ vaḍḍha anubrūhaya”.
[¶4] “Mother, you speak with such assurance
to me on this matter.
My dear mom, I can’t help thinking
that no snarls are found in you.”
> Pali: “Visāradāva bhaṇasi,
etamatthaṁ janetti me;
Maññāmi nūna māmike,
vanatho te na vijjati”.
[¶5] “Vaḍḍha, not a jot or a skerrick
of snarl is found in me
for any conditions at all,
whether low, high, or middling.
> Pali: “Ye keci vaḍḍha saṅkhārā,
hīnā ukkaṭṭhamajjhimā;
Aṇūpi aṇumattopi,
vanatho me na vijjati.
[¶6] All defilements are ended for me,
meditating and diligent.
I’ve attained the three knowledges
and fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions.”
> Pali: Sabbe me āsavā khīṇā,
appamattassa jhāyato;
Tisso vijjā anuppattā,
kataṁ buddhassa sāsanaṁ”.
[¶7] “Oh so excellent was the goad
my mother spurred me with!
Owing to her compassion, she spoke
verses on the ultimate goal.
> Pali: “Uḷāraṁ vata me mātā,
patodaṁ samavassari;
Paramatthasañhitā gāthā,
yathāpi anukampikā.
[¶8] On hearing her words,
advised by my mother,
I was struck with righteous urgency
for the sake of sanctuary from the yoke.
> Pali: Tassāhaṁ vacanaṁ sutvā,
anusiṭṭhiṁ janettiyā;
Dhammasaṁvegamāpādiṁ,
yogakkhemassa pattiyā.
[¶9] Striving, resolute,
tireless all day and night,
urged on by my mother,
I realized supreme peace.
> Pali: Sohaṁ padhānapahitatto,
rattindivamatandito;
Mātarā codito santo,
aphusiṁ santimuttamaṁ”.
[¶10] > Pali: … Vaḍḍhamātā therī ….
[¶11] > Pali: Navakanipāto niṭṭhito.
## 10. The Book of the Elevens · Thig 10.1
Source: https://scriptura.si/works/pali-therigatha/10/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/pali-therigatha/10/#p-N
[¶0] Thig 10.1 · Kisāgotamī
> Pali: Thig 10.1 · Kisāgotamītherīgāthā
[¶1] “Pointing out how the world works,
the sages have praised good friendship.
Associating with good friends,
even a fool becomes astute.
> Pali: “Kalyāṇamittatā muninā,
lokaṁ ādissa vaṇṇitā;
Kalyāṇamitte bhajamāno,
api bālo paṇḍito assa.
[¶2] Associate with true persons,
for that is how wisdom grows.
Should you associate with true persons,
you would be freed from all suffering.
> Pali: Bhajitabbā sappurisā,
Paññā tathā vaḍḍhati bhajantānaṁ;
Bhajamāno sappurise,
Sabbehipi dukkhehi pamucceyya.
[¶3] And you would understand suffering,
its origin and cessation,
the eightfold path,
and so the four noble truths.”
> Pali: Dukkhañca vijāneyya,
Dukkhassa ca samudayaṁ nirodhaṁ;
Aṭṭhaṅgikañca maggaṁ,
Cattāripi ariyasaccāni”.
[¶4] “‘A woman’s life is painful,’
explained the Buddha, guide for those fit to train,
‘and for a co-wife it’s especially so.
After giving birth just once,
> Pali: “Dukkho itthibhāvo,
Akkhāto purisadammasārathinā;
Sapattikampi hi dukkhaṁ,
Appekaccā sakiṁ vijātāyo.
[¶5] some women even cut their own throat,
while delicate ladies take poison.
Being guilty of killing a person,
they both undergo ruin.’”
> Pali: Galake api kantanti,
Sukhumāliniyo visāni khādanti;
Janamārakamajjhagatā,
Ubhopi byasanāni anubhonti”.
[¶6] “I was on the road, near to giving birth,
when I saw my husband dead.
I gave birth there on the road
before I’d reached my own house.
> Pali: “Upavijaññā gacchantī,
addasāhaṁ patiṁ mataṁ;
Panthamhi vijāyitvāna,
appattāva sakaṁ gharaṁ.
[¶7] My two children have died,
and on the road my husband lies dead—oh woe is me!
Mother, father, and brother
all burning up on the same pyre.”
> Pali: Dve puttā kālakatā,
Patī ca panthe mato kapaṇikāya;
Mātā pitā ca bhātā,
Ḍayhanti ca ekacitakāyaṁ”.
[¶8] “Oh woe is you whose family is lost,
the suffering you have undergone has no measure;
you have been shedding tears
for many thousands of lives.”
> Pali: “Khīṇakulīne kapaṇe,
Anubhūtaṁ te dukhaṁ aparimāṇaṁ;
Assū ca te pavattaṁ,
Bahūni ca jātisahassāni.
[¶9] “While staying in the charnel ground,
I saw my son’s flesh being eaten.
With my family destroyed, condemned by all,
and my husband dead, I realized freedom from death.
> Pali: Vasitā susānamajjhe,
Athopi khāditāni puttamaṁsāni;
Hatakulikā sabbagarahitā,
Matapatikā amatamadhigacchiṁ.
[¶10] I’ve developed the noble eightfold path
leading to freedom from death.
I’ve realized extinguishment,
as seen in the mirror of the Dhamma.
> Pali: Bhāvito me maggo,
Ariyo aṭṭhaṅgiko amatagāmī;
Nibbānaṁ sacchikataṁ,
Dhammādāsaṁ avekkhiṁhaṁ.
[¶11] I’ve plucked out the dart,
laid down the burden, and done what needed to be done.”
The senior nun Kisāgotamī,
her mind released, said this.
> Pali: Ahamamhi kantasallā,
Ohitabhārā katañhi karaṇīyaṁ;
Kisā gotamī therī,
Vimuttacittā imaṁ bhaṇī”ti.
[¶12] > Pali: … Kisā gotamī therī ….
[¶13] > Pali: Ekādasakanipāto niṭṭhito.
## 11. The Book of the Twelves · Thig 11.1
Source: https://scriptura.si/works/pali-therigatha/11/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/pali-therigatha/11/#p-N
[¶0] Thig 11.1 · Uppalavaṇṇā
> Pali: Thig 11.1 · Uppalavaṇṇātherīgāthā
[¶1] “The two of us were co-wives,
though we were mother and daughter.
I was struck with a sense of urgency,
so astonishing and hair-raising!
> Pali: “Ubho mātā ca dhītā ca,
mayaṁ āsuṁ sapattiyo;
Tassā me ahu saṁvego,
abbhuto lomahaṁsano.
[¶2] Curse those filthy sensual pleasures,
so nasty and thorny,
where we, both mother and daughter,
had to be co-wives together.
> Pali: Dhiratthu kāmā asucī,
duggandhā bahukaṇṭakā;
Yattha mātā ca dhītā ca,
sabhariyā mayaṁ ahuṁ.
[¶3] Seeing the danger in sensual pleasures,
seeing renunciation as sanctuary,
I went forth in Rājagaha
from the lay life to homelessness.
> Pali: Kāmesvādīnavaṁ disvā,
nekkhammaṁ daṭṭhu khemato;
Sā pabbajjiṁ rājagahe,
agārasmānagāriyaṁ.
[¶4] I know my past lives;
my clairvoyance is clarified;
I encompass the minds of others;
my clairaudience is purified;
> Pali: Pubbenivāsaṁ jānāmi,
dibbacakkhu visodhitaṁ;
Cetopariccañāṇañca,
sotadhātu visodhitā.
[¶5] I’ve realized the psychic powers,
and attained the ending of defilements.
I’ve realized the six kinds of direct knowledge,
and fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions.
> Pali: Iddhīpi me sacchikatā,
patto me āsavakkhayo;
Chaḷabhiññā sacchikatā,
kataṁ buddhassa sāsanaṁ.
[¶6] I created a four-horsed chariot
using my psychic powers.
Then I bowed at the feet of the Buddha,
the glorious protector of the world.”
> Pali: Iddhiyā abhinimmitvā,
caturassaṁ rathaṁ ahaṁ;
Buddhassa pāde vanditvā,
lokanāthassa tādino”.
[¶7] “You’ve come to this sal tree all crowned with flowers,
and stand at its root all alone.
But you have no male companion with you—
silly girl, aren’t you afraid of rascals?”
> Pali: “Supupphitaggaṁ upagamma pādapaṁ,
Ekā tuvaṁ tiṭṭhasi sālamūle;
Na cāpi te dutiyo atthi koci,
Bāle na tvaṁ bhāyasi dhuttakānaṁ”.
[¶8] “Even if 100,000 rascals like this
were to gang up,
I’d stir not a hair nor tremble.
What could you do to me all alone, Māra?
> Pali: “Sataṁ sahassānipi dhuttakānaṁ,
Samāgatā edisakā bhaveyyuṁ;
Lomaṁ na iñje napi sampavedhe,
Kiṁ me tuvaṁ māra karissaseko.
[¶9] I’ll vanish,
or I’ll enter your belly;
I could stand between your eyebrows
and you still wouldn’t see me.
> Pali: Esā antaradhāyāmi,
kucchiṁ vā pavisāmi te;
Bhamukantare tiṭṭhāmi,
tiṭṭhantiṁ maṁ na dakkhasi.
[¶10] I’m the master of my own mind,
I’ve developed the bases of psychic power well.
I’ve realized the six kinds of direct knowledge,
and fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions.
> Pali: Cittamhi vasībhūtāhaṁ,
iddhipādā subhāvitā;
Chaḷabhiññā sacchikatā,
kataṁ buddhassa sāsanaṁ.
[¶11] Sensual pleasures are like swords and spears;
the aggregates are their chopping block.
What you call erotic delight
is now no delight for me.
> Pali: Sattisūlūpamā kāmā,
khandhāsaṁ adhikuṭṭanā;
Yaṁ tvaṁ ‘kāmaratiṁ’ brūsi,
‘āratī’ dāni sā mama.
[¶12] Relishing is banished in every respect,
and the mass of darkness is shattered.
So know this, Wicked One:
you’re beaten, terminator!”
> Pali: Sabbattha vihatā nandī,
Tamokhandho padālito;
Evaṁ jānāhi pāpima,
Nihato tvamasi antakā”ti.
[¶13] > Pali: … Uppalavaṇṇā therī ….
[¶14] > Pali: Dvādasakanipāto niṭṭhito.
## 12. The Book of the Sixteens · Thig 12.1
Source: https://scriptura.si/works/pali-therigatha/12/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/pali-therigatha/12/#p-N
[¶0] Thig 12.1 · Puṇṇikā
> Pali: Thig 12.1 · Puṇṇātherīgāthā
[¶1] “I used to be a water-carrier. Even when it was cold,
I would always plunge into the water,
afraid of my masters’ beatings,
harassed by fear of abuse and anger.
> Pali: “Udahārī ahaṁ sīte,
sadā udakamotariṁ;
Ayyānaṁ daṇḍabhayabhītā,
vācādosabhayaṭṭitā.
[¶2] Brahmin, what are you afraid of,
that you always plunge into the water,
your limbs trembling
in the freezing cold?”
> Pali: Kassa brāhmaṇa tvaṁ bhīto,
sadā udakamotari;
Vedhamānehi gattehi,
sītaṁ vedayase bhusaṁ”.
[¶3] “Oh, but you already know,
Madam Puṇṇikā, when you ask me:
I am doing good deeds,
to ward off the wickedness I have done.
> Pali: “Jānantī vata maṁ bhoti,
puṇṇike paripucchasi;
Karontaṁ kusalaṁ kammaṁ,
rundhantaṁ katapāpakaṁ.
[¶4] Whosoever young or old
performs a wicked deed,
by ablution in water they are
released from their wicked deed.”
> Pali: Yo ca vuḍḍho daharo vā,
pāpakammaṁ pakubbati;
Dakābhisecanā sopi,
pāpakammā pamuccati”.
[¶5] “Who on earth told you this,
one ignoramus to another:
‘Actually, by ablution in water one is
released from a wicked deed.’
> Pali: “Ko nu te idamakkhāsi,
ajānantassa ajānako;
Dakābhisecanā nāma,
pāpakammā pamuccati.
[¶6] Would not they all go to heaven, then:
all the frogs and the turtles,
dragons, dolphins,
and other water-dwellers too?
> Pali: Saggaṁ nūna gamissanti,
sabbe maṇḍūkakacchapā;
Nāgā ca susumārā ca,
ye caññe udake carā.
[¶7] Butchers of sheep and pigs,
fishermen, animal trappers,
bandits, executioners,
and others of evil deeds:
by ablution in water they too would be
released from their wicked deeds.
> Pali: Orabbhikā sūkarikā,
macchikā migabandhakā;
Corā ca vajjhaghātā ca,
ye caññe pāpakammino;
Dakābhisecanā tepi,
pāpakammā pamuccare.
[¶8] If these rivers had carried away
your bad deeds in the past,
they would also carry away your good deeds,
from which you’d be prevented.
> Pali: Sace imā nadiyo te,
pāpaṁ pubbe kataṁ vahuṁ;
Puññampimā vaheyyuṁ te,
tena tvaṁ paribāhiro.
[¶9] Brahmin, the thing that you are afraid of,
when you always plunge into the water,
do not do that very thing,
don’t let the cold harm your skin.”
> Pali: Yassa brāhmaṇa tvaṁ bhīto,
sadā udakamotari;
Tameva brahme mā kāsi,
mā te sītaṁ chaviṁ hane”.
[¶10] “I have been on the wrong path,
and you’ve guided me to the noble path.
Madam, I give to you
this ablution cloth.”
> Pali: “Kummaggapaṭipannaṁ maṁ,
ariyamaggaṁ samānayi;
Dakābhisecanā bhoti,
imaṁ sāṭaṁ dadāmi te”.
[¶11] “Keep the cloth for yourself,
I do not want it.
If you fear suffering,
if you don’t like suffering,
> Pali: “Tuyheva sāṭako hotu,
nāhamicchāmi sāṭakaṁ;
Sace bhāyasi dukkhassa,
sace te dukkhamappiyaṁ.
[¶12] then don’t do bad deeds
either openly or in secret.
If you should do a bad deed,
or you’re doing one now,
> Pali: Mākāsi pāpakaṁ kammaṁ,
āvi vā yadi vā raho;
Sace ca pāpakaṁ kammaṁ,
karissasi karosi vā.
[¶13] you won’t be freed from suffering,
though you fly away and flee.
If you fear suffering,
if you don’t like suffering,
> Pali: Na te dukkhā pamutyatthi,
upeccāpi palāyato;
Sace bhāyasi dukkhassa,
sace te dukkhamappiyaṁ.
[¶14] go for refuge to the Buddha, the unaffected,
to his teaching and to the Saṅgha.
Undertake the precepts,
that will be good for you.”
> Pali: Upehi saraṇaṁ buddhaṁ,
dhammaṁ saṅghañca tādinaṁ;
Samādiyāhi sīlāni,
taṁ te atthāya hehiti”.
[¶15] “I go for refuge to the Buddha, the unaffected,
to his teaching and to the Saṅgha.
I undertake the precepts,
that will be good for me.
> Pali: “Upemi saraṇaṁ buddhaṁ,
dhammaṁ saṅghañca tādinaṁ;
Samādiyāmi sīlāni,
taṁ me atthāya hehiti.
[¶16] I used to be brahmin only by kin,
today I truly am a brahmin!
Master of the three knowledges, accomplished in wisdom,
I’m a scholar, a bathed initiate.”
> Pali: Brahmabandhu pure āsiṁ,
ajjamhi saccabrāhmaṇo;
Tevijjo vedasampanno,
sottiyo camhi nhātako”ti.
[¶17] > Pali: … Puṇṇā therī ….
[¶18] > Pali: Soḷasakanipāto niṭṭhito.
## 13. The Book of the Twenties · Thig 13.1–13.5
Source: https://scriptura.si/works/pali-therigatha/13/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/pali-therigatha/13/#p-N
[¶0] Thig 13.1 · Ambapālī
> Pali: Thig 13.1 · Ambapālītherīgāthā
[¶1] My hair was as black as bees,
graced with curly tips;
now old, it has become like hemp bark—
the word of the truthful one is confirmed.
> Pali: “Kāḷakā bhamaravaṇṇasādisā,
Vellitaggā mama muddhajā ahuṁ;
Te jarāya sāṇavākasādisā,
Saccavādivacanaṁ anaññathā.
[¶2] Crowned with flowers,
my head was as fragrant as a perfume box;
now old, it smells like dog fur—
the word of the truthful one is confirmed.
> Pali: Vāsitova surabhī karaṇḍako,
Pupphapūra mama uttamaṅgajo;
Taṁ jarāyatha salomagandhikaṁ,
Saccavādivacanaṁ anaññathā.
[¶3] My hair was as thick as a well-planted forest,
it shone, parted with brush and pins;
now old, it’s patchy and sparse—
the word of the truthful one is confirmed.
> Pali: Kānanaṁva sahitaṁ suropitaṁ,
Kocchasūcivicitaggasobhitaṁ;
Taṁ jarāya viralaṁ tahiṁ tahiṁ,
Saccavādivacanaṁ anaññathā.
[¶4] With plaits of black and ribbons of gold,
it was so pretty, graced with braids;
now old, my head’s gone bald—
the word of the truthful one is confirmed.
> Pali: Kaṇhakhandhakasuvaṇṇamaṇḍitaṁ,
Sobhate suveṇīhilaṅkataṁ;
Taṁ jarāya khalitaṁ siraṁ kataṁ,
Saccavādivacanaṁ anaññathā.
[¶5] My eyebrows used to look so nice,
like crescents painted by an artist;
now old, they droop with wrinkles—
the word of the truthful one is confirmed.
> Pali: Cittakārasukatāva lekhikā,
Sobhare su bhamukā pure mama;
Tā jarāya valibhippalambitā,
Saccavādivacanaṁ anaññathā.
[¶6] My eyes shone brilliant as gems,
wide and indigo;
ruined by age, they shine no more—
the word of the truthful one is confirmed.
> Pali: Bhassarā surucirā yathā maṇī,
Nettahesumabhinīlamāyatā;
Te jarāyabhihatā na sobhare,
Saccavādivacanaṁ anaññathā.
[¶7] My nose was like a perfect peak,
lovely in my bloom of youth;
now old, it’s shriveled like a pepper;
the word of the truthful one is confirmed.
> Pali: Saṇhatuṅgasadisī ca nāsikā,
Sobhate su abhiyobbanaṁ pati;
Sā jarāya upakūlitā viya,
Saccavādivacanaṁ anaññathā.
[¶8] My ear-lobes were so pretty,
like lovingly crafted bracelets;
now old, they droop with wrinkles—
the word of the truthful one is confirmed.
> Pali: Kaṅkaṇaṁva sukataṁ suniṭṭhitaṁ,
Sobhare su mama kaṇṇapāḷiyo;
Tā jarāya valibhippalambitā,
Saccavādivacanaṁ anaññathā.
[¶9] My teeth used to be so pretty,
bright as a jasmine flower;
now old, they’re broken and yellow—
the word of the truthful one is confirmed.
> Pali: Pattalīmakulavaṇṇasādisā,
Sobhare su dantā pure mama;
Te jarāya khaṇḍitā cāsitā,
Saccavādivacanaṁ anaññathā.
[¶10] My singing was sweet as a cuckoo
wandering in the forest groves;
now old, it’s patchy and croaking—
the word of the truthful one is confirmed.
> Pali: Kānanamhi vanasaṇḍacārinī,
Kokilāva madhuraṁ nikūjihaṁ;
Taṁ jarāya khalitaṁ tahiṁ tahiṁ,
Saccavādivacanaṁ anaññathā.
[¶11] My neck used to be so pretty,
like a polished shell of conch;
now old, it’s bowed and bent—
the word of the truthful one is confirmed.
> Pali: Saṇhakamburiva suppamajjitā,
Sobhate su gīvā pure mama;
Sā jarāya bhaggā vināmitā,
Saccavādivacanaṁ anaññathā.
[¶12] My arms used to be so pretty,
like rounded cross-bars;
with age, they wrinkle and sag as a patala tree—
the word of the truthful one is confirmed.
> Pali: Vaṭṭapalighasadisopamā ubho,
Sobhare su bāhā pure mama;
Tā jarāya yatha pāṭalibbalitā,
Saccavādivacanaṁ anaññathā.
[¶13] My hands used to be so pretty,
graced with lovely golden rings;
now old, they’re like red radishes—
the word of the truthful one is confirmed.
> Pali: Saṇhamuddikasuvaṇṇamaṇḍitā,
Sobhare su hatthā pure mama;
Te jarāya yathā mūlamūlikā,
Saccavādivacanaṁ anaññathā.
[¶14] My breasts were both once so pretty,
swelling, round, close-set, and perky;
now they droop like water bags—
the word of the truthful one is confirmed.
> Pali: Pīnavaṭṭasahituggatā ubho,
Sobhare su thanakā pure mama;
Thevikīva lambanti nodakā,
Saccavādivacanaṁ anaññathā.
[¶15] My body used to be so pretty,
like a polished slab of lustrous gold;
now it’s covered with delicate wrinkles—
the word of the truthful one is confirmed.
> Pali: Kañcanassa phalakaṁva sammaṭṭhaṁ,
Sobhate su kāyo pure mama;
So valīhi sukhumāhi otato,
Saccavādivacanaṁ anaññathā.
[¶16] Both my thighs used to be so pretty,
like an elephant’s trunk;
now old, they’re like bamboo—
the word of the truthful one is confirmed.
> Pali: Nāgabhogasadisopamā ubho,
Sobhare su ūrū pure mama;
Te jarāya yathā veḷunāḷiyo,
Saccavādivacanaṁ anaññathā.
[¶17] My calves used to be so pretty,
graced with cute golden anklets;
now old, they’re like sesame sticks—
the word of the truthful one is confirmed.
> Pali: Saṇhanūpurasuvaṇṇamaṇḍitā,
Sobhare su jaṅghā pure mama;
Tā jarāya tiladaṇḍakāriva,
Saccavādivacanaṁ anaññathā.
[¶18] Both my feet used to be so pretty,
plump as if with cotton-wool;
now old, they’re cracked and wrinkly—
the word of the truthful one is confirmed.
> Pali: Tūlapuṇṇasadisopamā ubho,
Sobhare su pādā pure mama;
Te jarāya phuṭitā valīmatā,
Saccavādivacanaṁ anaññathā.
[¶19] This bag of bones once was such,
but now it’s withered, home to so much pain;
like a house in decay with plaster crumbling—
the word of the truthful one is confirmed.
> Pali: Ediso ahu ayaṁ samussayo,
Jajjaro bahudukkhānamālayo;
Sopalepapatito jarāgharo,
Saccavādivacanaṁ anaññathā”.
[¶20] > Pali: … Ambapālī therī ….
[¶21] Thig 13.2 · Rohinī
> Pali: Thig 13.2 · Rohinītherīgāthā
[¶22] “You fell asleep saying ‘ascetics’;
you woke up saying ‘ascetics’;
you only praise ascetics, madam—
surely you’ll become an ascetic.
> Pali: “‘Samaṇā’ti bhoti supi,
‘samaṇā’ti pabujjhasi;
Samaṇāneva kittesi,
samaṇī nūna bhavissasi.
[¶23] You provide ascetics
with abundant food and drink.
I ask you now, Rohiṇī:
why do you like ascetics?
> Pali: Vipulaṁ annañca pānañca,
samaṇānaṁ paveccasi;
Rohinī dāni pucchāmi,
kena te samaṇā piyā.
[¶24] They don’t like to work, they’re lazy,
they live on charity;
always on the lookout, greedy for sweets—
so why do you like ascetics?”
> Pali: Akammakāmā alasā,
paradattūpajīvino;
Āsaṁsukā sādukāmā,
kena te samaṇā piyā”.
[¶25] “Dad, for a long time now
you’ve questioned me about ascetics.
I shall extol for you
their wisdom, ethics, and vigor.
> Pali: “Cirassaṁ vata maṁ tāta,
samaṇānaṁ paripucchasi;
Tesaṁ te kittayissāmi,
paññāsīlaparakkamaṁ.
[¶26] They like to work, they’re not lazy;
by giving up greed and hate,
they do the best kind of work—
that’s why I like ascetics.
> Pali: Kammakāmā analasā,
kammaseṭṭhassa kārakā;
Rāgaṁ dosaṁ pajahanti,
tena me samaṇā piyā.
[¶27] As for the three roots of evil,
by pure deeds they shake them off.
They have given up all wickedness—
that’s why I like ascetics.
> Pali: Tīṇi pāpassa mūlāni,
dhunanti sucikārino;
Sabbaṁ pāpaṁ pahīnesaṁ,
tena me samaṇā piyā.
[¶28] Their bodily actions are pure;
their actions of speech likewise;
their actions of mind are pure—
that’s why I like ascetics.
> Pali: Kāyakammaṁ suci nesaṁ,
vacīkammañca tādisaṁ;
Manokammaṁ suci nesaṁ,
tena me samaṇā piyā.
[¶29] Immaculate as a conch-shell,
they’re pure inside and out,
full of bright qualities—
that’s why I like ascetics.
> Pali: Vimalā saṅkhamuttāva,
suddhā santarabāhirā;
Puṇṇā sukkāna dhammānaṁ,
tena me samaṇā piyā.
[¶30] They’re learned and memorize the teaching,
noble, living righteously,
teaching the text and its meaning:
that’s why I like ascetics.
> Pali: Bahussutā dhammadharā,
ariyā dhammajīvino;
Atthaṁ dhammañca desenti,
tena me samaṇā piyā.
[¶31] They’re learned and memorize the teaching,
noble, living righteously,
unified in mind, and mindful—
that’s why I like ascetics.
> Pali: Bahussutā dhammadharā,
ariyā dhammajīvino;
Ekaggacittā satimanto,
tena me samaṇā piyā.
[¶32] Traveling afar, and mindful,
thoughtful in counsel, not restless,
they understand the end of suffering—
that’s why I like ascetics.
> Pali: Dūraṅgamā satimanto,
mantabhāṇī anuddhatā;
Dukkhassantaṁ pajānanti,
tena me samaṇā piyā.
[¶33] When they leave a village,
they don’t look back with longing,
but proceed without concern—
that’s why I like ascetics.
> Pali: Yasmā gāmā pakkamanti,
na vilokenti kiñcanaṁ;
Anapekkhāva gacchanti,
tena me samaṇā piyā.
[¶34] They hoard no goods in storerooms,
nor in pots or baskets.
They seek food prepared by others—
that’s why I like ascetics.
> Pali: Na te saṁ koṭṭhe openti,
na kumbhiṁ na khaḷopiyaṁ;
Pariniṭṭhitamesānā,
tena me samaṇā piyā.
[¶35] They don’t receive gold coins,
or gold or silver;
feeding on whatever comes that day,
that’s why I like ascetics.
> Pali: Na te hiraññaṁ gaṇhanti,
na suvaṇṇaṁ na rūpiyaṁ;
Paccuppannena yāpenti,
tena me samaṇā piyā.
[¶36] They have gone forth from different families,
even different countries,
and yet they all love one another—
that’s why I like ascetics.”
> Pali: Nānākulā pabbajitā,
nānājanapadehi ca;
Aññamaññaṁ piyāyanti,
tena me samaṇā piyā”.
[¶37] “Dear Rohinī, it was truly for our benefit
that you were born in our family!
You have faith and such keen respect
for the Buddha, his teaching, and the Saṅgha.
> Pali: “Atthāya vata no bhoti,
kule jātāsi rohinī;
Saddhā buddhe ca dhamme ca,
saṅghe ca tibbagāravā.
[¶38] For you understand this
supreme field of merit.
These ascetics will henceforth
receive our religious donation, too.
> Pali: Tuvaṁ hetaṁ pajānāsi,
puññakkhettaṁ anuttaraṁ;
Amhampi ete samaṇā,
paṭigaṇhanti dakkhiṇaṁ.
[¶39] For there we will place our sacrifice,
and it shall be abundant.”
“If you fear suffering,
if you don’t like suffering,
> Pali: Patiṭṭhito hettha yañño,
vipulo no bhavissati”;
“Sace bhāyasi dukkhassa,
sace te dukkhamappiyaṁ.
[¶40] go for refuge to the Buddha, the unaffected,
to his teaching and to the Saṅgha.
Undertake the precepts,
that will be good for you.”
> Pali: Upehi saraṇaṁ buddhaṁ,
dhammaṁ saṅghañca tādinaṁ;
Samādiyāhi sīlāni,
taṁ te atthāya hehiti”.
[¶41] “I go for refuge to the Buddha, the unaffected,
to his teaching and to the Saṅgha.
I undertake the precepts,
that will be good for me.
> Pali: “Upemi saraṇaṁ buddhaṁ,
dhammaṁ saṅghañca tādinaṁ;
Samādiyāmi sīlāni,
taṁ me atthāya hehiti.
[¶42] I used to be brahmin only by kin,
now I genuinely am a brahmin.
Master of the three knowledges, I’m a scholar,
a knowledge master, a bathed initiate.”
> Pali: Brahmabandhu pure āsiṁ,
so idānimhi brāhmaṇo;
Tevijjo sottiyo camhi,
vedagū camhi nhātako”.
[¶43] > Pali: … Rohinī therī ….
[¶44] Thig 13.3 · Cāpā
> Pali: Thig 13.3 · Cāpātherīgāthā
[¶45] “Once I carried a hermit’s staff,
but these days I hunt deer.
My desires have made me unable to cross
from the awful marsh to the far shore.
> Pali: “Laṭṭhihattho pure āsi,
so dāni migaluddako;
Āsāya palipā ghorā,
nāsakkhi pārametave.
[¶46] Thinking me so in love with her,
Cāpā kept our son happy.
Having cut Cāpā’s bond,
I’ll go forth once again.”
> Pali: Sumattaṁ maṁ maññamānā,
cāpā puttamatosayi;
Cāpāya bandhanaṁ chetvā,
pabbajissaṁ punopahaṁ”.
[¶47] “Don’t be mad at me, great hero!
Don’t be mad at me, great sage!
If you’re mired in anger you can’t stay pure,
let alone be fervent.”
> Pali: “Mā me kujjhi mahāvīra,
mā me kujjhi mahāmuni;
Na hi kodhaparetassa,
suddhi atthi kuto tapo”.
[¶48] “I’m going to leave Nālā!
For who’d stay here at Nālā!
With their figures, the women trap
ascetics who live righteously.”
> Pali: “Pakkamissañca nāḷāto,
kodha nāḷāya vacchati;
Bandhantī itthirūpena,
samaṇe dhammajīvino”.
[¶49] “Please, Kāḷa, come back to me.
Enjoy pleasures like you did before.
I’ll be under your control,
along with any relatives I have.”
> Pali: “Ehi kāḷa nivattassu,
bhuñja kāme yathā pure;
Ahañca te vasīkatā,
ye ca me santi ñātakā”.
[¶50] “Cāpā, if even a quarter
of what you say were true,
it would be a splendid thing
for a man in love with you!”
> Pali: “Etto cāpe catubbhāgaṁ,
yathā bhāsasi tvañca me;
Tayi rattassa posassa,
uḷāraṁ vata taṁ siyā”.
[¶51] “Kāḷa, I am like a sprouting iris
flowering on a mountain top,
like a blossoming pomegranate,
like a patala tree on an isle;
> Pali: “Kāḷaṅginiṁva takkāriṁ,
pupphitaṁ girimuddhani;
Phullaṁ dālimalaṭṭhiṁva,
antodīpeva pāṭaliṁ.
[¶52] my limbs are anointed with yellow sandalwood,
and I wear the finest Kāsi cloth:
when I am so very beautiful,
how can you abandon me and leave?”
> Pali: Haricandanalittaṅgiṁ,
kāsikuttamadhāriniṁ;
Taṁ maṁ rūpavatiṁ santiṁ,
kassa ohāya gacchasi”.
[¶53] “You’re like a fowler
who wants to catch a bird;
but you won’t trap me
with your costumed form.”
> Pali: “Sākuntikova sakuṇiṁ,
yathā bandhitumicchati;
Āharimena rūpena,
na maṁ tvaṁ bādhayissasi”.
[¶54] “But this child, my fruit,
was begotten by you, Kāḷa.
When I have this child,
how can you abandon me and leave?”
> Pali: “Imañca me puttaphalaṁ,
kāḷa uppāditaṁ tayā;
Taṁ maṁ puttavatiṁ santiṁ,
kassa ohāya gacchasi”.
[¶55] “The wise give up
children, family, and wealth.
Great heroes go forth
like elephants breaking their bonds.”
> Pali: “Jahanti putte sappaññā,
tato ñātī tato dhanaṁ;
Pabbajanti mahāvīrā,
nāgo chetvāva bandhanaṁ”.
[¶56] “Now, this son of yours:
I’ll strike him to the ground right here,
with a stick or with a knife!
Grieving your son, you will not leave.”
> Pali: “Idāni te imaṁ puttaṁ,
Daṇḍena churikāya vā;
Bhūmiyaṁ vā nisumbhissaṁ,
Puttasokā na gacchasi”.
[¶57] “Even if you feed our son
to jackals and dogs,
I’d never return again, you bitch,
not even for the child’s sake.”
> Pali: “Sace puttaṁ siṅgālānaṁ,
kukkurānaṁ padāhisi;
Na maṁ puttakatte jammi,
punarāvattayissasi”.
[¶58] “Well then, sir, tell me,
where will you go, Kāḷa?
To what village or town,
city or capital?”
> Pali: “Handa kho dāni bhaddante,
kuhiṁ kāḷa gamissasi;
Katamaṁ gāmanigamaṁ,
nagaraṁ rājadhāniyo”.
[¶59] “Last time we had followers,
we weren’t ascetics, we just thought we were.
We wandered from village to village,
to cities and capitals.
> Pali: “Ahumha pubbe gaṇino,
Assamaṇā samaṇamānino;
Gāmena gāmaṁ vicarimha,
Nagare rājadhāniyo.
[¶60] But now the Blessed One, the Buddha,
back on the bank of the Nerañjara River,
teaches the Dhamma so that living creatures
may abandon all suffering.
I shall go to his presence,
he shall be my Teacher.”
> Pali: Eso hi bhagavā buddho,
nadiṁ nerañjaraṁ pati;
Sabbadukkhappahānāya,
dhammaṁ deseti pāṇinaṁ;
Tassāhaṁ santikaṁ gacchaṁ,
so me satthā bhavissati”.
[¶61] “Now please convey my respects
to the supreme protector of the world.
Circling him to your right,
dedicate my religious donation.”
> Pali: “Vandanaṁ dāni vajjāsi,
lokanāthaṁ anuttaraṁ;
Padakkhiṇañca katvāna,
ādiseyyāsi dakkhiṇaṁ”.
[¶62] “This is the proper thing to do,
just as you have said to me.
I’ll convey your respects
to the supreme protector of the world.
Circling him to my right,
I’ll dedicate your religious donation.”
> Pali: “Etaṁ kho labbhamamhehi,
yathā bhāsasi tvañca me;
Vandanaṁ dāni te vajjaṁ,
lokanāthaṁ anuttaraṁ;
Padakkhiṇañca katvāna,
ādisissāmi dakkhiṇaṁ”.
[¶63] Then Kāḷa set out
back to the bank of the Nerañjara River.
He saw the Awakened One
teaching the state free of death:
> Pali: Tato ca kāḷo pakkāmi,
nadiṁ nerañjaraṁ pati;
So addasāsi sambuddhaṁ,
desentaṁ amataṁ padaṁ.
[¶64] 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.
[¶65] He paid homage at his feet,
circling him to his right,
and conveyed Cāpā’s dedication;
then he went forth to homelessness.
He attained the three knowledges,
and fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions.
> Pali: Tassa pādāni vanditvā,
Katvāna naṁ padakkhiṇaṁ;
Cāpāya ādisitvāna,
Pabbajiṁ anagāriyaṁ;
Tisso vijjā anuppattā,
Kataṁ buddhassa sāsanaṁ.
[¶66] > Pali: … Cāpā therī ….
[¶67] Thig 13.4 · Sundarī
> Pali: Thig 13.4 · Sundarītherīgāthā
[¶68] “Before, worthy lady, when feeding
your departed children,
you’d be racked with despair
all day and all night.
> Pali: “Petāni bhoti puttāni,
khādamānā tuvaṁ pure;
Tuvaṁ divā ca ratto ca,
atīva paritappasi.
[¶69] Today, brahmin lady, you have fed
all seven children.
Vāseṭṭhī, how do you explain why
you’re not so filled with despair?”
> Pali: Sājja sabbāni khāditvā,
sataputtāni brāhmaṇī;
Vāseṭṭhi kena vaṇṇena,
na bāḷhaṁ paritappasi”.
[¶70] “Many hundreds of children,
hundreds of family circles,
both mine and yours, brahmin,
have been fed in the past.
> Pali: “Bahūni puttasatāni,
ñātisaṅghasatāni ca;
Khāditāni atītaṁse,
mama tuyhañca brāhmaṇa.
[¶71] Having known the escape
from rebirth and death
I neither grieve nor lament,
nor do I despair.”
> Pali: Sāhaṁ nissaraṇaṁ ñatvā,
jātiyā maraṇassa ca;
Na socāmi na rodāmi,
na cāpi paritappayiṁ”.
[¶72] “Wow, Vaseṭṭhī, the words you speak
really are amazing!
Whose teaching did you understand
that you say these things?”
> Pali: “Abbhutaṁ vata vāseṭṭhi,
vācaṁ bhāsasi edisiṁ;
Kassa tvaṁ dhammamaññāya,
giraṁ bhāsasi edisiṁ”.
[¶73] “Brahmin, the Awakened One
back at the city of Mithilā,
teaches the Dhamma so that living creatures
may abandon all suffering.
> Pali: “Esa brāhmaṇa sambuddho,
nagaraṁ mithilaṁ pati;
Sabbadukkhappahānāya,
dhammaṁ desesi pāṇinaṁ.
[¶74] After hearing the perfected one’s teaching,
brahmin, which is free of all attachments,
having understood the true teaching there,
I’ve cast aside grief for children.”
> Pali: Tassa brahme arahato,
dhammaṁ sutvā nirūpadhiṁ;
Tattha viññātasaddhammā,
puttasokaṁ byapānudiṁ”.
[¶75] “I too shall go
to the city of Mithilā.
Hopefully the Buddha may release me
from all suffering.”
> Pali: “So ahampi gamissāmi,
nagaraṁ mithilaṁ pati;
Appeva maṁ so bhagavā,
sabbadukkhā pamocaye”.
[¶76] The brahmin saw the Buddha,
liberated, free of attachments.
He taught him the Dhamma,
the sage gone beyond suffering:
> Pali: Addasa brāhmaṇo buddhaṁ,
vippamuttaṁ nirūpadhiṁ;
Svassa dhammamadesesi,
muni dukkhassa pāragū.
[¶77] 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.
[¶78] Having understood the true teaching there,
he chose to go forth.
Three days later
Sujāta realized the three knowledges.
> Pali: Tattha viññātasaddhammo,
pabbajjaṁ samarocayi;
Sujāto tīhi rattīhi,
tisso vijjā aphassayi.
[¶79] “Please, charioteer, go;
take back this carriage.
Bidding my brahmin lady good health, say:
‘The brahmin has now gone forth.
After three days,
Sujāta realized the three knowledges.’”
> Pali: “Ehi sārathi gacchāhi,
rathaṁ niyyādayāhimaṁ;
Ārogyaṁ brāhmaṇiṁ vajja,
‘pabbaji dāni brāhmaṇo;
Sujāto tīhi rattīhi,
tisso vijjā aphassayi’”.
[¶80] Then taking the carriage,
along with a thousand coins, the charioteer
bade the brahmin lady good health, and said:
“The brahmin has now gone forth.
After three days,
Sujāta realized the three knowledges.”
> Pali: Tato ca rathamādāya,
sahassañcāpi sārathi;
Ārogyaṁ brāhmaṇiṁvoca,
“pabbaji dāni brāhmaṇo;
Sujāto tīhi rattīhi,
tisso vijjā aphassayi”.
[¶81] Hearing that the brahmin had the three knowledges, the lady replied:
“I present to you this horse and carriage,
O charioteer, along with 1000 coins,
and a full bowl as a gift.”
> Pali: “Etañcāhaṁ assarathaṁ,
sahassañcāpi sārathi;
Tevijjaṁ brāhmaṇaṁ sutvā,
puṇṇapattaṁ dadāmi te”.
[¶82] “Keep the horse and carriage, lady,
along with the thousand coins.
I too shall go forth in his presence,
the one of such outstanding wisdom.”
> Pali: “Tuyheva hotvassaratho,
sahassañcāpi brāhmaṇi;
Ahampi pabbajissāmi,
varapaññassa santike”.
[¶83] “Elephants, cattle, jeweled earrings,
such opulent domestic worth:
having given it up, your father went forth,
enjoy these riches Sundarī,
you are the family heir.”
> Pali: “Hatthī gavassaṁ maṇikuṇḍalañca,
Phītañcimaṁ gahavibhavaṁ pahāya;
Pitā pabbajito tuyhaṁ,
Bhuñja bhogāni sundarī;
Tuvaṁ dāyādikā kule”.
[¶84] “Elephants, cattle, jeweled earrings,
such delightful domestic worth:
having given it up, my father went forth,
racked by grief for his son.
I too shall go forth,
racked by grief for my brother.”
> Pali: “Hatthī gavassaṁ maṇikuṇḍalañca,
Rammaṁ cimaṁ gahavibhavaṁ pahāya;
Pitā pabbajito mayhaṁ,
Puttasokena aṭṭito;
Ahampi pabbajissāmi,
Bhātusokena aṭṭitā”.
[¶85] “Sundarī, may the wish you desire
come true.
Leftovers as gleanings,
and cast-off rags as robes—
make do with these,
free of defilements regarding the next life.”
> Pali: “So te ijjhatu saṅkappo,
yaṁ tvaṁ patthesi sundarī;
Uttiṭṭhapiṇḍo uñcho ca,
paṁsukūlañca cīvaraṁ;
Etāni abhisambhontī,
paraloke anāsavā”.
[¶86] “Ma’am, while I am still a trainee nun,
my clairvoyance is clarified;
I know my past lives,
the places I used to live.
> Pali: “Sikkhamānāya me ayye,
dibbacakkhu visodhitaṁ;
Pubbenivāsaṁ jānāmi,
yattha me vusitaṁ pure.
[¶87] Relying on a fine lady like you,
a senior nun who graces the Saṅgha,
I’ve attained the three knowledges,
and fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions.
> Pali: Tuvaṁ nissāya kalyāṇi,
theri saṅghassa sobhane;
Tisso vijjā anuppattā,
kataṁ buddhassa sāsanaṁ.
[¶88] Give me permission ma’am,
I wish to go to Sāvatthī,
where I shall roar my lion’s roar
before the best of Buddhas.”
> Pali: Anujānāhi me ayye,
icche sāvatthi gantave;
Sīhanādaṁ nadissāmi,
buddhaseṭṭhassa santike”.
[¶89] “Sundarī, see the Teacher!
Snow gold in tint, with sun-golden skin;
tamer of the untamed,
the Awakened One who fears nothing from any quarter.”
> Pali: “Passa sundari satthāraṁ,
hemavaṇṇaṁ harittacaṁ;
Adantānaṁ dametāraṁ,
sambuddhamakutobhayaṁ”.
[¶90] “See Sundarī coming,
liberated, free of attachments.
desireless, detached,
her task completed, without defilements.”
> Pali: “Passa sundarimāyantiṁ,
vippamuttaṁ nirūpadhiṁ;
Vītarāgaṁ visaṁyuttaṁ,
katakiccamanāsavaṁ.
[¶91] “Having set forth from Varanasi
and come to your presence, great hero,
your disciple Sundarī
bows at your feet.
> Pali: Bārāṇasito nikkhamma,
tava santikamāgatā;
Sāvikā te mahāvīra,
pāde vandati sundarī.
[¶92] You are the Buddha, you are the Teacher,
I am your bosom daughter, brahmin,
born of your mouth.
I’ve completed the task and am free of defilements.”
> Pali: Tuvaṁ buddho tuvaṁ satthā,
tuyhaṁ dhītāmhi brāhmaṇa;
Orasā mukhato jātā,
katakiccā anāsavā”.
[¶93] “Then welcome, good lady,
you’re by no means unwelcome.
For this is how the tamed come
bowing at the Teacher’s feet;
desireless, detached,
the task completed, without defilements.”
> Pali: “Tassā te svāgataṁ bhadde,
tato te adurāgataṁ;
Evañhi dantā āyanti,
satthu pādāni vandikā;
Vītarāgā visaṁyuttā,
katakiccā anāsavā”.
[¶94] > Pali: … Sundarī therī ….
[¶95] Thig 13.5 · Subhā, the Smith’s Daughter
> Pali: Thig 13.5 · Subhākammāradhītutherīgāthā
[¶96] “I was so young, my clothes so fresh,
at that time I heard the teaching.
Being diligent,
I comprehended the truth;
> Pali: “Daharāhaṁ suddhavasanā,
yaṁ pure dhammamassuṇiṁ;
Tassā me appamattāya,
saccābhisamayo ahu.
[¶97] and then I became profoundly dispassionate
toward all sensual pleasures.
Seeing fear in substantial reality,
I longed for renunciation.
> Pali: Tatohaṁ sabbakāmesu,
bhusaṁ aratimajjhagaṁ;
Sakkāyasmiṁ bhayaṁ disvā,
nekkhammameva pīhaye.
[¶98] Giving up my family circle,
bonded servants and workers,
and my flourishing village fields,
so delightful and pleasant,
> Pali: Hitvānahaṁ ñātigaṇaṁ,
dāsakammakarāni ca;
Gāmakhettāni phītāni,
ramaṇīye pamodite.
[¶99] I went forth;
all that is no small wealth.
Now that I’ve renounced in faith like this,
in the true teaching so well proclaimed,
> Pali: Pahāyahaṁ pabbajitā,
sāpateyyamanappakaṁ;
Evaṁ saddhāya nikkhamma,
saddhamme suppavedite.
[¶100] since I desire to have nothing,
it would not be appropriate
to take back gold and currency,
having already got rid of them.
> Pali: Netaṁ assa patirūpaṁ,
Ākiñcaññañhi patthaye;
Yo jātarūpaṁ rajataṁ,
Chaḍḍetvā punarāgame.
[¶101] Currency or gold
doesn’t lead to peace and awakening.
It doesn’t befit an ascetic;
it’s not the wealth of the noble ones;
> Pali: Rajataṁ jātarūpaṁ vā,
na bodhāya na santiyā;
Netaṁ samaṇasāruppaṁ,
na etaṁ ariyaddhanaṁ.
[¶102] it’s greed and vanity,
confusion and growing decadence,
dubious and troublesome—
there is nothing lasting there.
> Pali: Lobhanaṁ madanañcetaṁ,
mohanaṁ rajavaḍḍhanaṁ;
Sāsaṅkaṁ bahuāyāsaṁ,
natthi cettha dhuvaṁ ṭhiti.
[¶103] Depraved and heedless,
unenlightened folk, their hearts corrupt,
fight each other,
creating conflict.
> Pali: Ettha rattā pamattā ca,
saṅkiliṭṭhamanā narā;
Aññamaññena byāruddhā,
puthu kubbanti medhagaṁ.
[¶104] Killing, caging, misery,
loss, grief, and lamentation;
those sunk in sensual pleasures
see many disastrous things.
> Pali: Vadho bandho parikleso,
jāni sokapariddavo;
Kāmesu adhipannānaṁ,
dissate byasanaṁ bahuṁ.
[¶105] My family, why do you urge me on
to pleasures, as if you were my enemies?
You know I’ve gone forth,
seeing fear in sensual pleasures.
> Pali: Taṁ maṁ ñātī amittāva,
kiṁ vo kāmesu yuñjatha;
Jānātha maṁ pabbajitaṁ,
kāmesu bhayadassiniṁ.
[¶106] It’s not due to gold, coined or uncoined,
that defilements come to an end.
Sensual pleasures are enemies and killers,
hostile forces that bind you to thorns.
> Pali: Na hiraññasuvaṇṇena,
parikkhīyanti āsavā;
Amittā vadhakā kāmā,
sapattā sallabandhanā.
[¶107] My family, why do you urge me on
to pleasures, as if you were my enemies?
You know I’ve gone forth,
shaven, wrapped in my outer robe.
> Pali: Taṁ maṁ ñātī amittāva,
kiṁ vo kāmesu yuñjatha;
Jānātha maṁ pabbajitaṁ,
muṇḍaṁ saṅghāṭipārutaṁ.
[¶108] Leftovers as gleanings,
and cast-off rags as robes—
that’s what’s fitting for me,
the essentials of the homeless life.
> Pali: Uttiṭṭhapiṇḍo uñcho ca,
paṁsukūlañca cīvaraṁ;
Etaṁ kho mama sāruppaṁ,
anagārūpanissayo.
[¶109] Great seers expel sensual pleasures,
both human and heavenly.
Safe in their sanctuary, they are freed,
having found unshakable happiness.
> Pali: Vantā mahesīhi kāmā,
ye dibbā ye ca mānusā;
Khemaṭṭhāne vimuttā te,
pattā te acalaṁ sukhaṁ.
[¶110] May I not encounter sensual pleasures,
for no shelter is found in them.
Sensual pleasures are enemies and killers,
as painful as a mass of fire.
> Pali: Māhaṁ kāmehi saṅgacchiṁ,
yesu tāṇaṁ na vijjati;
Amittā vadhakā kāmā,
aggikkhandhūpamā dukhā.
[¶111] This is a roadblock, a threat,
full of distress and thorns;
it is a blind spot, uneven,
a great gateway to confusion.
> Pali: Paripantho esa bhayo,
savighāto sakaṇṭako;
Gedho suvisamo ceso,
mahanto mohanāmukho.
[¶112] Hazardous and terrifying,
sensual pleasures are like a cobra’s head,
where fools delight,
the blind ordinary folk.
> Pali: Upasaggo bhīmarūpo,
kāmā sappasirūpamā;
Ye bālā abhinandanti,
andhabhūtā puthujjanā.
[¶113] Stuck in the swamp of sensuality,
there are so many ignorant in the world.
They know nothing of the end
of rebirth and death.
> Pali: Kāmapaṅkena sattā hi,
bahū loke aviddasū;
Pariyantaṁ na jānanti,
jātiyā maraṇassa ca.
[¶114] Because of sensual pleasures,
people jump right on to the path that goes to a bad place.
So many walk the path
that brings disease onto themselves.
> Pali: Duggatigamanaṁ maggaṁ,
manussā kāmahetukaṁ;
Bahuṁ ve paṭipajjanti,
attano rogamāvahaṁ.
[¶115] That’s how sensual pleasures create enemies;
they are so tormenting, so corrupting,
trapping beings with worldly pleasures of the flesh,
they are nothing less than the bonds of death.
> Pali: Evaṁ amittajananā,
tāpanā saṅkilesikā;
Lokāmisā bandhanīyā,
kāmā maraṇabandhanā.
[¶116] Maddening, enticing,
sensual pleasures derange the mind.
For the corruption of beings,
swiftly ensnared by Māra.
> Pali: Ummādanā ullapanā,
kāmā cittappamaddino;
Sattānaṁ saṅkilesāya,
khippaṁ mārena oḍḍitaṁ.
[¶117] Sensual pleasures are infinitely dangerous,
they’re full of suffering, a terrible poison;
offering little gratification, they’re makers of strife,
withering bright qualities away.
> Pali: Anantādīnavā kāmā,
bahudukkhā mahāvisā;
Appassādā raṇakarā,
sukkapakkhavisosanā.
[¶118] Since I’ve created so much ruination
because of sensual pleasures,
I will not relapse to them again,
but will always delight in extinguishment.
> Pali: Sāhaṁ etādisaṁ katvā,
byasanaṁ kāmahetukaṁ;
Na taṁ paccāgamissāmi,
nibbānābhiratā sadā.
[¶119] Having once made strife for the sake of sensual pleasures,
now I am longing for that cool state.
I shall meditate diligently
for the ending of all fetters.
> Pali: Raṇaṁ karitvā kāmānaṁ,
sītibhāvābhikaṅkhinī;
Appamattā vihassāmi,
sabbasaṁyojanakkhaye.
[¶120] Sorrowless, stainless, secure—
I follow that path,
the straight noble eightfold way
by which the seers have crossed over.”
> Pali: Asokaṁ virajaṁ khemaṁ,
ariyaṭṭhaṅgikaṁ ujuṁ;
Taṁ maggaṁ anugacchāmi,
yena tiṇṇā mahesino”.
[¶121] “Look at this: Subhā the smith’s daughter,
standing firm in the teaching.
She has entered the imperturbable state,
meditating at the root of a tree.
> Pali: “Imaṁ passatha dhammaṭṭhaṁ,
subhaṁ kammāradhītaraṁ;
Anejaṁ upasampajja,
rukkhamūlamhi jhāyati.
[¶122] It’s just eight days since she went forth,
the faithful one, grace of the true teaching.
Guided by Uppalavaṇṇā,
she is master of the three knowledges, conqueror of death.
> Pali: Ajjaṭṭhamī pabbajitā,
saddhā saddhammasobhanā;
Vinītuppalavaṇṇāya,
tevijjā maccuhāyinī.
[¶123] This one is freed from slavery and debt,
a nun with faculties developed.
Unyoked from all yokes,
she has completed the task and is free of defilements.”
> Pali: Sāyaṁ bhujissā anaṇā,
bhikkhunī bhāvitindriyā;
Sabbayogavisaṁyuttā,
katakiccā anāsavā”.
[¶124] Thus did Sakka, lord of all creatures,
along with a host of gods,
having come by their psychic powers,
honor Subhā, the smith’s daughter.
> Pali: Taṁ sakko devasaṅghena,
upasaṅkamma iddhiyā;
Namassati bhūtapati,
subhaṁ kammāradhītaranti.
[¶125] > Pali: … Subhā kammāradhītā therī ….
[¶126] > Pali: Vīsatinipāto niṭṭhito.
## 14. The Book of the Thirties · Thig 14.1
Source: https://scriptura.si/works/pali-therigatha/14/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/pali-therigatha/14/#p-N
[¶0] Thig 14.1 · Subhā of Jīvaka’s Mango Grove
> Pali: Thig 14.1 · Subhājīvakambavanikātherīgāthā
[¶1] Going to the lovely mango grove
of Jīvaka, the nun Subhā
was held up by a rascal.
Subhā said this to him:
> Pali: Jīvakambavanaṁ rammaṁ,
Gacchantiṁ bhikkhuniṁ subhaṁ;
Dhuttako sannivāresi,
Tamenaṁ abravī subhā.
[¶2] “What harm have I done to you,
that you stand in my way?
Respectable sir, it’s not proper that a man
should touch a woman gone forth.
> Pali: “Kiṁ te aparādhitaṁ mayā,
Yaṁ maṁ ovariyāna tiṭṭhasi;
Na hi pabbajitāya āvuso,
Puriso samphusanāya kappati.
[¶3] This training was taught by the Holy One,
it is a serious matter in my teacher’s instructions.
I am pure and rid of blemishes,
so why do you stand in my way?
> Pali: Garuke mama satthusāsane,
Yā sikkhā sugatena desitā;
Parisuddhapadaṁ anaṅgaṇaṁ,
Kiṁ maṁ ovariyāna tiṭṭhasi.
[¶4] One whose mind is clouded against one unclouded;
one who is lustful against one free of lust;
unblemished, my heart is freed in every respect,
so why do you stand in my way?”
> Pali: Āvilacitto anāvilaṁ,
Sarajo vītarajaṁ anaṅgaṇaṁ;
Sabbattha vimuttamānasaṁ,
Kiṁ maṁ ovariyāna tiṭṭhasi”.
[¶5] “You’re young and flawless—
what will going-forth do for you?
Throw away the ocher robe,
come and play in the blossom grove.
> Pali: “Daharā ca apāpikā casi,
Kiṁ te pabbajjā karissati;
Nikkhipa kāsāyacīvaraṁ,
Ehi ramāma supupphite vane.
[¶6] Everywhere, the scent of pollen wafts sweet,
born of the flowering woods.
The start of spring is a happy time—
come and play in the blossom grove.
> Pali: Madhurañca pavanti sabbaso,
Kusumarajena samuṭṭhitā dumā;
Paṭhamavasanto sukho utu,
Ehi ramāma supupphite vane.
[¶7] And trees crested with flowers
cry out, as it were, in the gale.
But what kind of fun will you have
if you plunge into the woods all alone?
> Pali: Kusumitasikharā ca pādapā,
Abhigajjantiva māluteritā;
Kā tuyhaṁ rati bhavissati,
Yadi ekā vanamogahissasi.
[¶8] Frequented by packs of predators,
and cow elephants aroused by rutting bulls;
you wish to go without a friend
to the deserted, awe-inspiring forest.
> Pali: Vāḷamigasaṅghasevitaṁ,
Kuñjaramattakareṇuloḷitaṁ;
Asahāyikā gantumicchasi,
Rahitaṁ bhiṁsanakaṁ mahāvanaṁ.
[¶9] Like a doll made of glittering gold,
like a nymph wandering the park of bright vines,
your matchless beauty will shine
in graceful clothes of delicate Kāsian cloth.
> Pali: Tapanīyakatāva dhītikā,
Vicarasi cittalateva accharā;
Kāsikasukhumehi vaggubhi,
Sobhasī suvasanehi nūpame.
[¶10] I’ll be under your sway,
if we are to stay in the forest.
I love no creature more than you,
O pixie with such captivating eyes.
> Pali: Ahaṁ tava vasānugo siyaṁ,
Yadi viharemase kānanantare;
Na hi matthi tayā piyattaro,
Pāṇo kinnarimandalocane.
[¶11] Were you to take up my invitation—
‘Come, be happy, and live in a house’—
you’ll stay in a longhouse sheltered from wind;
let the ladies look to your needs.
> Pali: Yadi me vacanaṁ karissasi,
Sukhitā ehi agāramāvasa;
Pāsādanivātavāsinī,
Parikammaṁ te karontu nāriyo.
[¶12] Dressed in delicate Kāsian cloth,
put on your garlands and your cosmetics.
I’ll make all sorts of adornments for you,
of lustrous gold and gems and pearls.
> Pali: Kāsikasukhumāni dhāraya,
Abhiropehi ca mālavaṇṇakaṁ;
Kañcanamaṇimuttakaṁ bahuṁ,
Vividhaṁ ābharaṇaṁ karomi te.
[¶13] Climb onto a costly bed,
its coverlet so clean and nice,
with a new woolen mattress,
so fragrant, sprinkled with sandalwood.
> Pali: Sudhotarajapacchadaṁ subhaṁ,
Gonakatūlikasanthataṁ navaṁ;
Abhiruha sayanaṁ mahārahaṁ,
Candanamaṇḍitasāragandhikaṁ.
[¶14] As a blue lily risen from the water
remains untouched by men,
so too, O chaste and holy lady,
your limbs grow old unshared.”
> Pali: Uppalaṁ cudakā samuggataṁ,
Yathā taṁ amanussasevitaṁ;
Evaṁ tvaṁ brahmacārinī,
Sakesaṅgesu jaraṁ gamissasi”.
[¶15] “This carcass is full of putrefaction, it swells
the charnel ground, for its nature is to fall apart.
What do you think is so essential in it
that you stare at me so crazily?”
> Pali: “Kiṁ te idha sārasammataṁ,
Kuṇapapūramhi susānavaḍḍhane;
Bhedanadhamme kaḷevare,
Yaṁ disvā vimano udikkhasi”.
[¶16] “Your eyes are like those of a doe,
or a pixie in the mountains;
seeing them, erotic delight
swells in me all the more.
> Pali: “Akkhīni ca tūriyāriva,
Kinnariyāriva pabbatantare;
Tava me nayanāni dakkhiya,
Bhiyyo kāmaratī pavaḍḍhati.
[¶17] Your eyes are like a blue lily’s bud
in your flawless face shining like coruscant gold.
Seeing them, sensual excitement
swells in me all the more.
> Pali: Uppalasikharopamāni te,
Vimale hāṭakasannibhe mukhe;
Tava me nayanāni dakkhiya,
Bhiyyo kāmaguṇo pavaḍḍhati.
[¶18] Though you may wander far, I’ll still think of you,
with lashes so long and eyes so bright.
I love no eyes more than yours,
O pixie with such bashful eyes.”
> Pali: Api dūragatā saramhase,
Āyatapamhe visuddhadassane;
Na hi matthi tayā piyattaro,
Nayanā kinnarimandalocane”.
[¶19] “You’re setting out on the wrong road!
You’re looking to take the moon for your toy!
You’re trying to leap over Mount Meru!
You, who are hunting a child of the Buddha!
> Pali: “Apathena payātumicchasi,
Candaṁ kīḷanakaṁ gavesasi;
Meruṁ laṅghetumicchasi,
Yo tvaṁ buddhasutaṁ maggayasi.
[¶20] For in this world with all its gods,
there will be no more lust anywhere in me.
I don’t even know what kind it could be,
it’s been smashed root and all by the path.
> Pali: Natthi hi loke sadevake,
Rāgo yatthapi dāni me siyā;
Napi naṁ jānāmi kīriso,
Atha maggena hato samūlako.
[¶21] Cast out like sparks from fiery coals,
it’s worth no more than a bowl of poison.
I don’t even see what kind it could be,
it’s been smashed root and all by the path.
> Pali: Iṅgālakuyāva ujjhito,
Visapattoriva aggito kato;
Napi naṁ passāmi kīriso,
Atha maggena hato samūlako.
[¶22] Well may you try to seduce the type of lady
who has not reflected on these things,
or who has never attended the Teacher:
but this is a lady who knows—now you’re in trouble!
> Pali: Yassā siyā apaccavekkhitaṁ,
Satthā vā anupāsito siyā;
Tvaṁ tādisikaṁ palobhaya,
Jānantiṁ so imaṁ vihaññasi.
[¶23] No matter if I am reviled or praised,
or feel pleasure or pain: I stay mindful.
Knowing that conditions are ugly,
my mind clings to nothing.
> Pali: Mayhañhi akkuṭṭhavandite,
Sukhadukkhe ca satī upaṭṭhitā;
Saṅkhatamasubhanti jāniya,
Sabbattheva mano na limpati.
[¶24] I am a disciple of the Holy One,
riding in the carriage of the eightfold path.
The dart pulled out, free of defilements,
I’m happy to have reached an empty place.
> Pali: Sāhaṁ sugatassa sāvikā,
Maggaṭṭhaṅgikayānayāyinī;
Uddhaṭasallā anāsavā,
Suññāgāragatā ramāmahaṁ.
[¶25] I’ve seen brightly painted
dolls and wooden puppets,
tied to sticks and strings,
and made to dance in many ways.
> Pali: Diṭṭhā hi mayā sucittitā,
Sombhā dārukapillakāni vā;
Tantīhi ca khīlakehi ca,
Vinibaddhā vividhaṁ panaccakā.
[¶26] But when the sticks and strings are taken off—
loosed, disassembled, dismantled,
irrecoverable, stripped to parts—
on what could the mind be fixed?
> Pali: Tamhuddhaṭe tantikhīlake,
Vissaṭṭhe vikale parikrite;
Na vindeyya khaṇḍaso kate,
Kimhi tattha manaṁ nivesaye.
[¶27] That’s what my body is really like,
without those things it can’t go on.
This being so,
on what could the mind be fixed?
> Pali: Tathūpamā dehakāni maṁ,
Tehi dhammehi vinā na vattanti;
Dhammehi vinā na vattati,
Kimhi tattha manaṁ nivesaye.
[¶28] It’s like when you saw a mural made
by painting yellow orpiment on a wall,
and your vision was deceived by that—
the perception ‘human’ is pointless.
> Pali: Yathā haritālena makkhitaṁ,
Addasa cittikaṁ bhittiyā kataṁ;
Tamhi te viparītadassanaṁ,
Saññā mānusikā niratthikā.
[¶29] Like an illusion cast before you,
or a golden tree in a dream,
you chase what is hollow, blind one,
like a painted doll among the people.
> Pali: Māyaṁ viya aggato kataṁ,
Supinanteva suvaṇṇapādapaṁ;
Upagacchasi andha rittakaṁ,
Janamajjheriva rupparūpakaṁ.
[¶30] Like a ball in a socket,
with a pupil in the middle, and tears,
and mucus comes from there as well,
different eye-parts are lumped together.”
> Pali: Vaṭṭaniriva koṭarohitā,
Majjhe pubbuḷakā saassukā;
Pīḷakoḷikā cettha jāyati,
Vividhā cakkhuvidhā ca piṇḍitā”.
[¶31] Having plucked it out, the fair-eyed lady
was undismayed, unchained in mind.
“Come now, take this eye,”
she said, and gave it to the man right then.
> Pali: Uppāṭiya cārudassanā,
Na ca pajjittha asaṅgamānasā;
“Handa te cakkhuṁ harassu taṁ”,
Tassa narassa adāsi tāvade.
[¶32] And right then he lost his lust,
and asked for her forgiveness:
“May you be well, O chaste and holy lady;
such a thing will not happen again.
> Pali: Tassa ca viramāsi tāvade,
Rāgo tattha khamāpayī ca naṁ;
“Sotthi siyā brahmacārinī,
Na puno edisakaṁ bhavissati”.
[¶33] Attacking a person such as this
is like holding on to a blazing fire,
or grabbing a deadly viper!
May you be well, please forgive me.”
> Pali: “Āsādiya edisaṁ janaṁ,
Aggiṁ pajjalitaṁva liṅgiya;
Gaṇhiya āsīvisaṁ viya,
Api nu sotthi siyā khamehi no”.
[¶34] When that nun was released
she went to the presence of the excellent Buddha.
Seeing the one with excellent marks of merit,
her eye became just as it was before.
> Pali: Muttā ca tato sā bhikkhunī,
Agamī buddhavarassa santikaṁ;
Passiya varapuññalakkhaṇaṁ,
Cakkhu āsi yathā purāṇakanti.
[¶35] > Pali: … Subhā jīvakambavanikā therī ….
[¶36] > Pali: Tiṁsanipāto niṭṭhito.
## 15. The Book of the Forties · Thig 15.1
Source: https://scriptura.si/works/pali-therigatha/15/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/pali-therigatha/15/#p-N
[¶0] Thig 15.1 · Isidāsī
> Pali: Thig 15.1 · Isidāsītherīgāthā
[¶1] In Pāṭaliputta, the cream of the world,
the city named for a flower,
there were two nuns from the Sakyan clan,
both of them ladies of quality.
> Pali: Nagaramhi kusumanāme,
Pāṭaliputtamhi pathaviyā maṇḍe;
Sakyakulakulīnāyo,
Dve bhikkhuniyo hi guṇavatiyo.
[¶2] One was named Isidāsī, the second Bodhī.
They both were accomplished in ethics,
lovers of meditation and chanting,
learned, crushing corruptions.
> Pali: Isidāsī tattha ekā,
Dutiyā bodhīti sīlasampannā ca;
Jhānajjhāyanaratāyo,
Bahussutāyo dhutakilesāyo.
[¶3] They wandered for alms and had their meal.
When they had washed their bowls,
they sat happily in a private place
and started a conversation.
> Pali: Tā piṇḍāya caritvā,
Bhattatthaṁ kariya dhotapattāyo;
Rahitamhi sukhanisinnā,
Imā girā abbhudīresuṁ.
[¶4] “You’re so lovely, Mistress Isidāsī,
your youth has not yet faded.
What problem did you see that made you
dedicate your life to renunciation?”
> Pali: “Pāsādikāsi ayye,
Isidāsi vayopi te aparihīno;
Kiṁ disvāna byālikaṁ,
Athāsi nekkhammamanuyuttā”.
[¶5] Being pressed like this in private,
Isidāsī, skilled in teaching Dhamma,
voiced the following words.
“Bodhī, hear how I went forth.
> Pali: Evamanuyuñjiyamānā sā,
Rahite dhammadesanākusalā;
Isidāsī vacanamabravi,
“Suṇa bodhi yathāmhi pabbajitā”.
[¶6] In the fine town of Ujjenī,
my father was a financier, a good and moral man.
I was his only daughter,
dear, beloved, and cherished.
> Pali: “Ujjeniyā puravare,
Mayhaṁ pitā sīlasaṁvuto seṭṭhi;
Tassamhi ekadhītā,
Piyā manāpā ca dayitā ca.
[¶7] Then some suitors came for me
from the top family of Sāketa.
They were sent by a financier abounding in wealth,
to whom my father then gave me as daughter-in-law.
> Pali: Atha me sāketato varakā,
Āgacchumuttamakulīnā;
Seṭṭhī pahūtaratano,
Tassa mamaṁ suṇhamadāsi tāto.
[¶8] Come morning and come evening,
I bowed with my head to the feet
of my father and mother-in-law,
just as I had been told.
> Pali: Sassuyā sasurassa ca,
Sāyaṁ pātaṁ paṇāmamupagamma;
Sirasā karomi pāde,
Vandāmi yathāmhi anusiṭṭhā.
[¶9] Whenever I saw my husband’s sisters,
his brothers, his servants,
or even he, my one and only,
I nervously gave them a seat.
> Pali: Yā mayhaṁ sāmikassa,
Bhaginiyo bhātuno parijano vā;
Tamekavarakampi disvā,
Ubbiggā āsanaṁ demi.
[¶10] Whatever they wanted—food and drink,
treats, or whatever was in the cupboard—
I brought out and offered to them,
ensuring each got what was fitting.
> Pali: Annena ca pānena ca,
Khajjena ca yañca tattha sannihitaṁ;
Chādemi upanayāmi ca,
Demi ca yaṁ yassa patirūpaṁ.
[¶11] Having risen bright and early,
I approached the main house,
washed my hands and feet,
and went to my husband with cupped palms.
> Pali: Kālena upaṭṭhahitvā,
Gharaṁ samupagamāmi ummāre;
Dhovantī hatthapāde,
Pañjalikā sāmikamupemi.
[¶12] Taking a comb, adornments,
eyeshadow, and a mirror,
I myself did the makeup for my husband,
as if I were his beautician.
> Pali: Kocchaṁ pasādaṁ añjaniñca,
Ādāsakañca gaṇhitvā;
Parikammakārikā viya,
Sayameva patiṁ vibhūsemi.
[¶13] I myself cooked the rice;
I myself washed the pots.
I looked after my husband
like a mother her only child.
> Pali: Sayameva odanaṁ sādhayāmi,
Sayameva bhājanaṁ dhovantī;
Mātāva ekaputtakaṁ,
Tathā bhattāraṁ paricarāmi.
[¶14] Thus I showed my devotion to him,
a loyal, virtuous, and humble servant,
getting up early, and working tirelessly:
yet still my husband did me wrong.
> Pali: Evaṁ maṁ bhattikataṁ,
Anurattaṁ kārikaṁ nihatamānaṁ;
Uṭṭhāyikaṁ analasaṁ,
Sīlavatiṁ dussate bhattā.
[¶15] He said to his mother and father:
‘I’ll take my leave and go,
I can’t stand to live together with Isidāsī
staying in the same house.’
> Pali: So mātarañca pitarañca,
Bhaṇati ‘āpucchahaṁ gamissāmi;
Isidāsiyā na saha vacchaṁ,
Ekāgārehaṁ saha vatthuṁ’.
[¶16] ‘Son, don’t speak like this!
Isidāsī is astute and competent,
she gets up early and works tirelessly,
son, why doesn’t she please you?’
> Pali: ‘Mā evaṁ putta avaca,
Isidāsī paṇḍitā paribyattā;
Uṭṭhāyikā analasā,
Kiṁ tuyhaṁ na rocate putta’.
[¶17] ‘She hasn’t done anything to hurt me,
but I just can’t stand to live with her.
As far as I’m concerned, she’s just detestable.
I’ve had enough, I’ll take my leave and go.’
> Pali: ‘Na ca me hiṁsati kiñci,
Na cahaṁ isidāsiyā saha vacchaṁ;
Dessāva me alaṁ me,
Apucchāhaṁ gamissāmi’.
[¶18] When they heard his words,
my father-in-law and mother-in-law asked me:
‘What did you do wrong?
Boldly tell how it occurred.’
> Pali: Tassa vacanaṁ suṇitvā,
Sassu sasuro ca maṁ apucchiṁsu;
‘Kissa tayā aparaddhaṁ,
Bhaṇa vissaṭṭhā yathābhūtaṁ’.
[¶19] ‘I’ve done nothing wrong,
I haven’t hurt him, or said anything bad.
What can I possibly do,
when my husband finds me so hateful?’
> Pali: ‘Napihaṁ aparajjhaṁ kiñci,
Napi hiṁsemi na bhaṇāmi dubbacanaṁ;
Kiṁ sakkā kātuyye,
Yaṁ maṁ viddessate bhattā’.
[¶20] They led me back to my father’s home,
distraught, overcome with suffering, and said:
‘By caring for our son,
we’ve lost her, so lovely and lucky!’
> Pali: Te maṁ pitugharaṁ paṭinayiṁsu,
Vimanā dukhena adhibhūtā;
Puttamanurakkhamānā,
‘Jitāmhase rūpiniṁ lakkhiṁ’.
[¶21] Next my dad gave me to the household
of a second wealthy family-man.
For this he got half the bride-price
of that which the financier paid.
> Pali: Atha maṁ adāsi tāto,
Aḍḍhassa gharamhi dutiyakulikassa;
Tato upaḍḍhasuṅkena,
Yena maṁ vindatha seṭṭhi.
[¶22] In his house I also lived a month,
before he too wanted me gone;
though I served him like a slave,
virtuous and doing no wrong.
> Pali: Tassapi gharamhi māsaṁ,
Avasiṁ atha sopi maṁ paṭiccharayi;
Dāsīva upaṭṭhahantiṁ,
Adūsikaṁ sīlasampannaṁ.
[¶23] My father then spoke to a beggar for alms,
a tamer of others and of himself:
‘Be my son-in-law;
set aside your tonsure-cloth and pot.’
> Pali: Bhikkhāya ca vicarantaṁ,
Damakaṁ dantaṁ me pitā bhaṇati;
‘Hohisi me jāmātā,
Nikkhipa poṭṭhiñca ghaṭikañca’.
[¶24] He stayed a fortnight before he said to my dad:
‘Give me back my tonsure-cloth,
my pot and my mug—
I’ll wander begging again.’
> Pali: Sopi vasitvā pakkhaṁ,
Atha tātaṁ bhaṇati ‘dehi me poṭṭhiṁ;
Ghaṭikañca mallakañca,
Punapi bhikkhaṁ carissāmi’.
[¶25] So then my mum and my dad
and my whole group of relatives said:
‘What has not been done for you here?
Quickly, tell us what we can do for you!’
> Pali: Atha naṁ bhaṇatī tāto,
Ammā sabbo ca me ñātigaṇavaggo;
‘Kiṁ te na kīrati idha,
Bhaṇa khippaṁ taṁ te karihi’ti.
[¶26] When they spoke to him like this he said,
‘If I can make do for myself, that is enough.
I can’t stand to live together with Isidāsī
staying in the same house.’
> Pali: Evaṁ bhaṇito bhaṇati,
‘Yadi me attā sakkoti alaṁ mayhaṁ;
Isidāsiyā na saha vacchaṁ,
Ekagharehaṁ saha vatthuṁ’.
[¶27] Released, he left.
But I sat all alone contemplating:
‘Having taken my leave, I’ll go,
either to die or to go forth.’
> Pali: Vissajjito gato so,
Ahampi ekākinī vicintemi;
‘Āpucchitūna gacchaṁ,
Marituye vā pabbajissaṁ vā’.
[¶28] But then Mistress Jinadattā,
learned and virtuous,
who had memorized the monastic law,
came resorting to my dad’s house for alms.
> Pali: Atha ayyā jinadattā,
Āgacchī gocarāya caramānā;
Tātakulaṁ vinayadharī,
Bahussutā sīlasampannā.
[¶29] When I saw her,
I rose from my seat and prepared it for her.
When she had taken her seat,
I honored her feet and offered her a meal,
> Pali: Taṁ disvāna amhākaṁ,
Uṭṭhāyāsanaṁ tassā paññāpayiṁ;
Nisinnāya ca pāde,
Vanditvā bhojanamadāsiṁ.
[¶30] satiating her with food and drink,
treats, or whatever was in the cupboard.
Then I said:
‘Ma’am, I wish to go forth!’
> Pali: Annena ca pānena ca,
Khajjena ca yañca tattha sannihitaṁ;
Santappayitvā avacaṁ,
‘Ayye icchāmi pabbajituṁ’.
[¶31] But my dad said to me:
‘Child, practice Dhamma right here then!
With food and drink
satisfy ascetics and the twice-born.’
> Pali: Atha maṁ bhaṇatī tāto,
‘Idheva puttaka carāhi tvaṁ dhammaṁ;
Annena ca pānena ca,
Tappaya samaṇe dvijātī ca’.
[¶32] Then I said to my dad,
crying, my cupped palms raised to him:
‘I’ve done bad things in the past;
I shall wear that bad deed away.’
> Pali: Athahaṁ bhaṇāmi tātaṁ,
Rodantī añjaliṁ paṇāmetvā;
‘Pāpañhi mayā pakataṁ,
Kammaṁ taṁ nijjaressāmi’.
[¶33] And my dad said to me:
‘May you attain awakening, the highest state,
and may you find the extinguishment
that was realized by the best of men!’
> Pali: Atha maṁ bhaṇatī tāto,
‘Pāpuṇa bodhiñca aggadhammañca;
Nibbānañca labhassu,
Yaṁ sacchikarī dvipadaseṭṭho’.
[¶34] I bowed down to my mother and father,
and my whole group of relatives;
and then, seven days after going forth,
I realized the three knowledges.
> Pali: Mātāpitū abhivādayitvā,
Sabbañca ñātigaṇavaggaṁ;
Sattāhaṁ pabbajitā,
Tisso vijjā aphassayiṁ.
[¶35] I know my last seven lives;
I shall relate to you the deeds
of which this life is the fruit and result:
focus your whole mind on that.
> Pali: Jānāmi attano satta,
Jātiyo yassayaṁ phalavipāko;
Taṁ tava ācikkhissaṁ,
Taṁ ekamanā nisāmehi.
[¶36] In the city of Erakacca
I was a goldsmith with lots of money.
Drunk on the pride of youth,
I had sex with someone else’s wife.
> Pali: Nagaramhi erakacche,
Suvaṇṇakāro ahaṁ pahūtadhano;
Yobbanamadena matto,
So paradāraṁ asevihaṁ.
[¶37] Having passed away from there,
I burned in hell for a long time.
Rising up from there
I was conceived in a monkey’s womb.
> Pali: Sohaṁ tato cavitvā,
Nirayamhi apaccisaṁ ciraṁ;
Pakko tato ca uṭṭhahitvā,
Makkaṭiyā kucchimokkamiṁ.
[¶38] When I was only seven days old,
I was castrated by the monkey chief.
This was the fruit of that deed,
because of adultery with another’s wife.
> Pali: Sattāhajātakaṁ maṁ,
Mahākapi yūthapo nillacchesi;
Tassetaṁ kammaphalaṁ,
Yathāpi gantvāna paradāraṁ.
[¶39] Having passed away from there,
passing away in Sindhava grove,
I was conceived in the womb
of a lame, one-eyed she-goat.
> Pali: Sohaṁ tato cavitvā,
Kālaṁ karitvā sindhavāraññe;
Kāṇāya ca khañjāya ca,
Eḷakiyā kucchimokkamiṁ.
[¶40] I carried children on my back for twelve years,
and all the while I was castrated,
worm-eaten, and tail-less,
because of adultery with another’s wife.
> Pali: Dvādasa vassāni ahaṁ,
Nillacchito dārake parivahitvā;
Kimināvaṭṭo akallo,
Yathāpi gantvāna paradāraṁ.
[¶41] Having passed away from there,
I was reborn in a cow
owned by a cattle merchant.
A red calf, castrated, for twelve months
> Pali: Sohaṁ tato cavitvā,
Govāṇijakassa gāviyā jāto;
Vaccho lākhātambo,
Nillacchito dvādase māse.
[¶42] I drew a big plow.
I shouldered a cart,
blind, tail-less, feeble,
because of adultery with another’s wife.
> Pali: Voḍhūna naṅgalamahaṁ,
Sakaṭañca dhārayāmi;
Andhovaṭṭo akallo,
Yathāpi gantvāna paradāraṁ.
[¶43] Having passed away from there,
I was born of a slave in the street,
with neither male nor female parts,
because of adultery with another’s wife.
> Pali: Sohaṁ tato cavitvā,
Vīthiyā dāsiyā ghare jāto;
Neva mahilā na puriso,
Yathāpi gantvāna paradāraṁ.
[¶44] I died at thirty years of age,
and was reborn as a girl in a carter’s family.
We were poor, of little wealth,
greatly oppressed by creditors.
> Pali: Tiṁsativassamhi mato,
Sākaṭikakulamhi dārikā jātā;
Kapaṇamhi appabhoge,
Dhanika purisapātabahulamhi.
[¶45] Because of the massive interest we owed,
I was dragged away screaming,
taken by force from the family home
by a caravan leader.
> Pali: Taṁ maṁ tato satthavāho,
Ussannāya vipulāya vaḍḍhiyā;
Okaḍḍhati vilapantiṁ,
Acchinditvā kulagharasmā.
[¶46] When I was sixteen years old,
seeing I was a girl of marriageable age,
his son confined me as his wife—
Giridāsa was his name.
> Pali: Atha soḷasame vasse,
Disvā maṁ pattayobbanaṁ kaññaṁ;
Orundhatassa putto,
Giridāso nāma nāmena.
[¶47] He also had another wife,
a virtuous and well-known lady of quality,
loyal to her husband;
yet I stirred up resentment in her.
> Pali: Tassapi aññā bhariyā,
Sīlavatī guṇavatī yasavatī ca;
Anurattā bhattāraṁ,
Tassāhaṁ viddesanamakāsiṁ.
[¶48] As the fruit of that deed,
they abandoned me and left,
though I served them like a slave.
Now I’ve made an end to this as well.”
> Pali: Tassetaṁ kammaphalaṁ,
Yaṁ maṁ apakīritūna gacchanti;
Dāsīva upaṭṭhahantiṁ,
Tassapi anto kato mayā”ti.
[¶49] > Pali: … Isidāsī therī ….
[¶50] > Pali: Cattālīsanipāto niṭṭhito.
## 16. The Great Book · Thig 16.1
Source: https://scriptura.si/works/pali-therigatha/16/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/pali-therigatha/16/#p-N
[¶0] Thig 16.1 · Sumedhā
> Pali: Thig 16.1 · Sumedhātherīgāthā
[¶1] In Mantāvatī city, Sumedhā,
the daughter of King Koñca’s chief queen,
was converted by those
who practice the Buddha’s teaching.
> Pali: Mantāvatiyā nagare,
Rañño koñcassa aggamahesiyā;
Dhītā āsiṁ sumedhā,
Pasāditā sāsanakarehi.
[¶2] She was virtuous, a brilliant speaker,
learned, and trained in the Buddha’s instructions.
She went up to her mother and father and said:
“Pay heed, both of you!
> Pali: Sīlavatī cittakathā,
Bahussutā buddhasāsane vinitā;
Mātāpitaro upagamma,
Bhaṇati “ubhayo nisāmetha.
[¶3] I delight in extinguishment!
No state of life is eternal, not even that of the gods;
what then of sensual pleasures, so hollow,
offering little gratification and much distress.
> Pali: Nibbānābhiratāhaṁ,
Asassataṁ bhavagataṁ yadipi dibbaṁ;
Kimaṅgaṁ pana tucchā kāmā,
Appassādā bahuvighātā.
[¶4] Sensual pleasures are bitter as the venom of a snake,
yet fools are infatuated by them.
Sent to hell for a very long time,
they are beaten and tortured.
> Pali: Kāmā kaṭukā āsī,
Visūpamā yesu mucchitā bālā;
Te dīgharattaṁ niraye,
Samappitā haññante dukkhitā.
[¶5] Those who grow in wickedness
ever lament in the underworld due to their own bad deeds.
They’re fools, unrestrained in body,
mind, and speech.
> Pali: Socanti pāpakammā,
Vinipāte pāpavaddhino sadā;
Kāyena ca vācāya ca,
Manasā ca asaṁvutā bālā.
[¶6] Those witless, senseless fools,
trapped by the origin of suffering,
are ignorant, not understanding the noble truths
when they are being taught.
> Pali: Bālā te duppaññā,
Acetanā dukkhasamudayoruddhā;
Desente ajānantā,
Na bujjhare ariyasaccāni.
[¶7] Most people, mum, ignorant of the truths
taught by the excellent Buddha,
look forward to a state of life,
longing for rebirth among the gods.
> Pali: Saccāni amma buddhavaradesitāni,
Te bahutarā ajānantā ye;
Abhinandanti bhavagataṁ,
Pihenti devesu upapattiṁ.
[¶8] Yet even rebirth among the gods
in an impermanent state of life is not eternal.
But fools are not scared
of being reborn time and again.
> Pali: Devesupi upapatti,
Asassatā bhavagate aniccamhi;
Na ca santasanti bālā,
Punappunaṁ jāyitabbassa.
[¶9] Four lower realms and two other realms
may be gained somehow or other.
But for those who end up in a lower realm,
there is no way to go forth in the hells.
> Pali: Cattāro vinipātā,
Duve ca gatiyo kathañci labbhanti;
Na ca vinipātagatānaṁ,
Pabbajjā atthi nirayesu.
[¶10] May you both grant me permission to go forth
in the dispensation of him of the ten powers.
Living at ease, I shall apply myself
to giving up rebirth and death.
> Pali: Anujānātha maṁ ubhayo,
Pabbajituṁ dasabalassa pāvacane;
Appossukkā ghaṭissaṁ,
Jātimaraṇappahānāya.
[¶11] Why look forward to a new state of life
in this useless, insubstantial body?
Grant me permission, I shall go forth
to make an end of craving for a new life.
> Pali: Kiṁ bhavagate abhinanditena,
Kāyakalinā asārena;
Bhavataṇhāya nirodhā,
Anujānātha pabbajissāmi.
[¶12] A Buddha has arisen, the time has come,
the unlucky moment has passed.
As long as I live I’ll never betray
my ethical precepts or my chaste path.”
> Pali: Buddhānaṁ uppādo vivajjito,
Akkhaṇo khaṇo laddho;
Sīlāni brahmacariyaṁ,
Yāvajīvaṁ na dūseyyaṁ”.
[¶13] Then Sumedhā said to her parents:
“So long as I remain a layperson,
I’ll refuse to eat any food,
until I’ve fallen under the sway of death.”
> Pali: Evaṁ bhaṇati sumedhā,
Mātāpitaro “na tāva āhāraṁ;
Āharissaṁ gahaṭṭhā,
Maraṇavasaṁ gatāva hessāmi”.
[¶14] Upset, her mother burst into tears,
while her father, though grieved,
tried his best to persuade her
as she lay collapsed upstairs in the longhouse.
> Pali: Mātā dukkhitā rodati pitā ca,
Assā sabbaso samabhihato;
Ghaṭenti saññāpetuṁ,
Pāsādatale chamāpatitaṁ.
[¶15] “Get up child, why do you grieve so?
You’re already betrothed to be married!
King Anīkaratta the handsome
is in Vāraṇavatī: he is your betrothed.
> Pali: “Uṭṭhehi puttaka kiṁ soci,
Tena dinnāsi vāraṇavatimhi;
Rājā anīkaratto,
Abhirūpo tassa tvaṁ dinnā.
[¶16] You shall be the chief queen,
wife of King Anīkaratta.
Ethical precepts, the chaste path—
going forth is hard to do, my child.
> Pali: Aggamahesī bhavissasi,
Anikarattassa rājino bhariyā;
Sīlāni brahmacariyaṁ,
Pabbajjā dukkarā puttaka.
[¶17] As a royal there is command, wealth, authority,
and the happiness of possessions.
Enjoy sensual pleasures while you’re still young!
Let your wedding take place, my child!”
> Pali: Rajje āṇā dhanamissariyaṁ,
Bhogā sukhā daharikāsi;
Bhuñjāhi kāmabhoge,
Vāreyyaṁ hotu te putta”.
[¶18] Then Sumedhā said to him:
“Let this not come to pass! Existence is hollow!
I shall either go forth or die,
but I shall never marry.
> Pali: Atha ne bhaṇati sumedhā,
“Mā edisikāni bhavagatamasāraṁ;
Pabbajjā vā hohiti,
Maraṇaṁ vā me na ceva vāreyyaṁ.
[¶19] Why cling to this rotting body so foul,
stinking of fluids,
a horrifying water-bag carcass,
always oozing, full of filth?
> Pali: Kimiva pūtikāyamasuciṁ,
Savanagandhaṁ bhayānakaṁ kuṇapaṁ;
Abhisaṁviseyyaṁ bhastaṁ,
Asakiṁ paggharitaṁ asucipuṇṇaṁ.
[¶20] Knowing it like I do, what’s the point?
A carcass is vile, smeared with flesh and blood,
food for birds and swarms of worms—
why have we been given it?
> Pali: Kimiva tahaṁ jānantī,
Vikūlakaṁ maṁsasoṇitupalittaṁ;
Kimikulālayaṁ sakuṇabhattaṁ,
Kaḷevaraṁ kissa diyyati.
[¶21] Before long the body, bereft of consciousness,
is carried out to the charnel ground,
to be discarded like an old log
by relatives in disgust.
> Pali: Nibbuyhati susānaṁ,
Aciraṁ kāyo apetaviññāṇo;
Chuddho kaḷiṅgaraṁ viya,
Jigucchamānehi ñātīhi.
[¶22] When they’ve discarded it in the charnel ground,
to be eaten by others, your own parents
bathe themselves, disgusted;
what then of people at large?
> Pali: Chuddhūna naṁ susāne,
Parabhattaṁ nhāyanti jigucchantā;
Niyakā mātāpitaro,
Kiṁ pana sādhāraṇā janatā.
[¶23] They’re attached to this hollow carcass,
this mass of sinews and bone;
this rotting body
full of saliva, tears, feces, and pus.
> Pali: Ajjhositā asāre,
Kaḷevare aṭṭhinhārusaṅghāte;
Kheḷassuccārassava,
Paripuṇṇe pūtikāyamhi.
[¶24] If anyone were to dissect it,
turning it inside out,
the unbearable stench
would disgust even their own mother.
> Pali: Yo naṁ vinibbhujitvā,
Abbhantaramassa bāhiraṁ kayirā;
Gandhassa asahamānā,
Sakāpi mātā jiguccheyya.
[¶25] Rationally examining
the aggregates, elements, and sense fields
as conditioned, rooted in birth, suffering—
why would I wish for marriage?
> Pali: Khandhadhātuāyatanaṁ,
Saṅkhataṁ jātimūlakaṁ dukkhaṁ;
Yoniso anuvicinantī,
Vāreyyaṁ kissa iccheyyaṁ.
[¶26] Let three hundred sharp swords
fall on my body everyday!
Even if the slaughter lasted a hundred years
it’d be worth it if it led to the end of suffering.
> Pali: Divase divase tisatti,
Satāni navanavā pateyyuṁ kāyamhi;
Vassasatampi ca ghāto,
Seyyo dukkhassa cevaṁ khayo.
[¶27] One who understands the Teacher’s words
would put up with this slaughter:
‘Long for you is transmigration
being killed time and time again.’
> Pali: Ajjhupagacche ghātaṁ,
Yo viññāyevaṁ satthuno vacanaṁ;
‘Dīgho tesaṁ saṁsāro,
Punappunaṁ haññamānānaṁ’.
[¶28] Among gods and humans,
in the realm of animals or that of titans,
among the ghosts or in the hells,
endless killings are seen.
> Pali: Devesu manussesu ca,
Tiracchānayoniyā asurakāye;
Petesu ca nirayesu ca,
Aparimitā dissare ghātā.
[¶29] The hells are full of killing,
for the corrupt who have fallen to the underworld.
Even among the gods there is no shelter,
for no happiness excels extinguishment.
> Pali: Ghātā nirayesu bahū,
Vinipātagatassa pīḷiyamānassa;
Devesupi attāṇaṁ,
Nibbānasukhā paraṁ natthi.
[¶30] Those who are committed to the dispensation
of him of the ten powers attain extinguishment.
Living at ease, they apply themselves
to giving up rebirth and death.
> Pali: Pattā te nibbānaṁ,
Ye yuttā dasabalassa pāvacane;
Appossukkā ghaṭenti,
Jātimaraṇappahānāya.
[¶31] On this very day, dad, I shall renounce:
what’s to enjoy in hollow riches?
I’m disillusioned with sensual pleasures,
they’re like vomit, made like a palm stump.”
> Pali: Ajjeva tātabhinikkha-
missaṁ bhogehi kiṁ asārehi;
Nibbinnā me kāmā,
Vantasamā tālavatthukatā”.
[¶32] As she spoke thus to her father,
Anīkaratta, to whom she was betrothed,
approached from Vāraṇavatī
at the time appointed for the marriage.
> Pali: Sā cevaṁ bhaṇati pitaram-
anīkaratto ca yassa sā dinnā;
Upayāsi vāraṇavate,
Vāreyyamupaṭṭhite kāle.
[¶33] Then Sumedhā took up a knife,
and cut off her hair, so black, thick, and soft.
Shutting herself in the longhouse,
she entered the first absorption.
> Pali: Atha asitanicitamuduke,
Kese khaggena chindiya sumedhā;
Pāsādaṁ pidahitvā,
Paṭhamajjhānaṁ samāpajji.
[¶34] And as she entered it there,
Anīkaratta arrived at the city.
Then in the longhouse, Sumedhā
well developed the perception of impermanence.
> Pali: Sā ca tahiṁ samāpannā,
Anīkaratto ca āgato nagaraṁ;
Pāsāde ca sumedhā,
Aniccasaññaṁ subhāveti.
[¶35] As she investigated in meditation,
Anīkaratta quickly climbed the stairs.
His limbs adorned with gems and honey-yellow gold,
he begged Sumedhā with cupped palms:
> Pali: Sā ca manasi karoti,
Anīkaratto ca āruhī turitaṁ;
Maṇikanakabhūsitaṅgo,
Katañjalī yācati sumedhaṁ.
[¶36] “As a royal there is command, wealth, authority,
and the happiness of possessions.
Enjoy sensual pleasures while you’re still young!
Sensual pleasures are hard to find in the world!
> Pali: “Rajje āṇādhanamissa-
riyaṁ bhogā sukhā daharikāsi;
Bhuñjāhi kāmabhoge,
Kāmasukhā dullabhā loke.
[¶37] I’ve handed royalty to you—
enjoy riches, give gifts!
Don’t be sad;
your parents are upset.”
> Pali: Nissaṭṭhaṁ te rajjaṁ,
Bhoge bhuñjassu dehi dānāni;
Mā dummanā ahosi,
Mātāpitaro te dukkhitā”.
[¶38] Sumedhā, having no use for sensual pleasures,
and having done away with delusion, spoke right back:
“Do not take pleasure in sensuality!
See the danger in sensual pleasures!
> Pali: Taṁ taṁ bhaṇati sumedhā,
Kāmehi anatthikā vigatamohā;
“Mā kāme abhinandi,
Kāmesvādīnavaṁ passa.
[¶39] Mandhātā, king of four continents,
foremost in enjoying sensual pleasures,
died unsated,
his desires unfulfilled.
> Pali: Cātuddīpo rājā,
Mandhātā āsi kāmabhoginamaggo;
Atitto kālaṅkato,
Na cassa paripūritā icchā.
[¶40] Were the seven jewels to rain from the sky
all over the ten directions,
there would be no sating of sensual pleasures:
people die insatiable.
> Pali: Satta ratanāni vasseyya,
Vuṭṭhimā dasadisā samantena;
Na catthi titti kāmānaṁ,
Atittāva maranti narā.
[¶41] Like a butcher’s knife and chopping board,
sensual pleasures are like a cobra’s head.
They burn like a fire-brand,
they resemble a skeleton.
> Pali: Asisūnūpamā kāmā,
kāmā sappasiropamā;
Ukkopamā anudahanti,
aṭṭhikaṅkala sannibhā.
[¶42] Sensual pleasures are impermanent and unstable,
they’re full of suffering, a terrible poison;
like a hot iron ball,
the root of gloom, their fruit is pain.
> Pali: Aniccā adhuvā kāmā,
bahudukkhā mahāvisā;
Ayoguḷova santatto,
aghamūlā dukhapphalā.
[¶43] Sensual pleasures are like fruits of a tree,
like scraps of meat, painful,
they trick you like a dream;
sensual pleasures are like borrowed goods.
> Pali: Rukkhapphalūpamā kāmā,
maṁsapesūpamā dukhā;
Supinopamā vañcaniyā,
kāmā yācitakūpamā.
[¶44] Sensual pleasures are like swords and spears;
a disease, a boil, gloom and trouble.
Like a pit of glowing coals,
the root of gloom, fear and slaughter.
> Pali: Sattisūlūpamā kāmā,
rogo gaṇḍo aghaṁ nighaṁ;
Aṅgārakāsusadisā,
aghamūlaṁ bhayaṁ vadho.
[¶45] Thus sensual pleasures have been explained
to be obstructions, so full of suffering.
Please leave! As for me,
I have no trust in any state of life.
> Pali: Evaṁ bahudukkhā kāmā,
akkhātā antarāyikā;
Gacchatha na me bhavagate,
vissāso atthi attano.
[¶46] What can someone else do for me
when their own head is burning?
When stalked by old age and death,
you should strive to destroy them.”
> Pali: Kiṁ mama paro karissati,
Attano sīsamhi ḍayhamānamhi;
Anubandhe jarāmaraṇe,
Tassa ghātāya ghaṭitabbaṁ”.
[¶47] She opened the door
and saw her parents with Anīkaratta,
sitting crying on the floor.
And so she said this:
> Pali: Dvāraṁ apāpuritvānahaṁ,
Mātāpitaro anīkarattañca;
Disvāna chamaṁ nisinne,
Rodante idamavocaṁ.
[¶48] “Transmigration is long for fools,
crying again and again at that with no known beginning—
the death of a father,
the killing of a brother or of themselves.
> Pali: “Dīgho bālānaṁ saṁsāro,
Punappunañca rodataṁ;
Anamatagge pitu maraṇe,
Bhātu vadhe attano ca vadhe.
[¶49] Remember the ocean of tears, of milk, of blood—
transmigration with no known beginning.
Remember the bones piled up
by beings transmigrating.
> Pali: Assu thaññaṁ rudhiraṁ,
Saṁsāraṁ anamataggato saratha;
Sattānaṁ saṁsarataṁ,
Sarāhi aṭṭhīnañca sannicayaṁ.
[¶50] Remember the four oceans
compared with tears, milk, and blood.
Remember bones piled up high as Mount Vepulla
in the course of a single eon.
> Pali: Sara caturodadhī,
Upanīte assuthaññarudhiramhi;
Sara ekakappamaṭṭhīnaṁ,
Sañcayaṁ vipulena samaṁ.
[¶51] Transmigration with no known beginning
is compared to this broad Black Plum Tree Land;
if divided into lumps the size of jujube seeds,
they’d still be fewer than his mother’s mothers.
> Pali: Anamatagge saṁsarato,
Mahiṁ jambudīpamupanītaṁ;
Kolaṭṭhimattaguḷikā,
Mātā mātusveva nappahonti.
[¶52] Remember the grass, sticks, and leaves,
compare that with no known beginning:
if split into chips four inches in size,
they’d still be fewer than his father’s fathers.
> Pali: Tiṇakaṭṭhasākhāpalāsaṁ,
Upanītaṁ anamataggato sara;
Caturaṅgulikā ghaṭikā,
Pitupitusveva nappahonti.
[¶53] Remember the one-eyed turtle and the yoke with a hole
blown in the ocean from east to west—
sticking the head in the hole
is a metaphor for gaining a human birth.
> Pali: Sara kāṇakacchapaṁ pubba-
samudde aparato ca yugachiddaṁ;
Siraṁ tassa ca paṭimukkaṁ,
Manussalābhamhi opammaṁ.
[¶54] Remember the form of this unlucky body,
insubstantial as a lump of foam.
See the aggregates as impermanent,
remember the hells so full of distress.
> Pali: Sara rūpaṁ pheṇapiṇḍopam-
assa kāyakalino asārassa;
Khandhe passa anicce,
Sarāhi niraye bahuvighāte.
[¶55] Remember those swelling the charnel grounds
again and again in life after life.
Remember the danger of gharials!
Remember the four truths!
> Pali: Sara kaṭasiṁ vaḍḍhente,
Punappunaṁ tāsu tāsu jātīsu;
Sara kumbhīlabhayāni ca,
Sarāhi cattāri saccāni.
[¶56] When freedom from death is there to be found,
why would you drink the five bitter poisons?
For all erotic delights
are so much more bitter than them.
> Pali: Amatamhi vijjamāne,
Kiṁ tava pañcakaṭukena pītena;
Sabbā hi kāmaratiyo,
Kaṭukatarā pañcakaṭukena.
[¶57] When freedom from death is there to be found,
why would you burn for sensual pleasures?
For all erotic delights
are burning, boiling, bubbling, seething.
> Pali: Amatamhi vijjamāne,
Kiṁ tava kāmehi ye pariḷāhā;
Sabbā hi kāmaratiyo,
Jalitā kuthitā kampitā santāpitā.
[¶58] When there is freedom from enmity,
why would you want your enemy, sensual pleasures?
Many enemies take a share of your sensual pleasures:
kings, fire, robbers, flood, and unloved heirs.
> Pali: Asapattamhi samāne,
Kiṁ tava kāmehi ye bahusapattā;
Rājaggicoraudakappiyehi,
Sādhāraṇā kāmā bahusapattā.
[¶59] When liberation is there to be found,
what good are sensual pleasures that kill and bind?
For though unwilling, when sensual pleasures are there,
they are subject to the pain of killing and binding.
> Pali: Mokkhamhi vijjamāne,
Kiṁ tava kāmehi yesu vadhabandho;
Kāmesu hi asakāmā,
Vadhabandhadukhāni anubhonti.
[¶60] As a blazing grass torch
burns one who grasps it without letting go,
sensual pleasures are like a grass torch,
burning those who do not let go.
> Pali: Ādīpitā tiṇukkā,
Gaṇhantaṁ dahanti neva muñcantaṁ;
Ukkopamā hi kāmā,
Dahanti ye te na muñcanti.
[¶61] Don’t give up abundant happiness
for the trivial joys of sensual pleasure.
Don’t fret later,
like a catfish on a hook.
> Pali: Mā appakassa hetu,
Kāmasukhassa vipulaṁ jahī sukhaṁ;
Mā puthulomova baḷisaṁ,
Gilitvā pacchā vihaññasi.
[¶62] Deliberately control yourself among sensual pleasures!
You’re like a hound fixed to a chain:
sensual pleasures will surely devour you
as hungry corpse-workers would a hound.
> Pali: Kāmaṁ kāmesu damassu,
Tāva sunakhova saṅkhalābaddho;
Kāhinti khu taṁ kāmā,
Chātā sunakhaṁva caṇḍālā.
[¶63] Harnessed to sensual pleasure,
you undergo endless pain,
along with much mental anguish:
relinquish sensual pleasures, they don’t last!
> Pali: Aparimitañca dukkhaṁ,
Bahūni ca cittadomanassāni;
Anubhohisi kāmayutto,
Paṭinissaja addhuve kāme.
[¶64] When the unaging is there to be found,
what good are sensual pleasures in which is old age?
All rebirths everywhere
are bonded to death and sickness.
> Pali: Ajaramhi vijjamāne,
Kiṁ tava kāmehi yesu jarā;
Maraṇabyādhigahitā,
Sabbā sabbattha jātiyo.
[¶65] This is freedom from old age, freedom from death!
This is freedom from old age and death, the sorrowless state!
Free of enmity, unconstricted,
faultless, fearless, without tribulations.
> Pali: Idamajaramidamamaraṁ,
Idamajarāmaraṁ padamasokaṁ;
Asapattamasambādhaṁ,
Akhalitamabhayaṁ nirupatāpaṁ.
[¶66] This freedom from death has been realized by many;
even today it can be obtained
by those who rationally apply themselves;
but it’s impossible if you don’t try.”
> Pali: Adhigatamidaṁ bahūhi,
Amataṁ ajjāpi ca labhanīyamidaṁ;
Yo yoniso payuñjati,
Na ca sakkā aghaṭamānena”.
[¶67] So said Sumedhā,
lacking delight in conditioned things.
Soothing Anīkaratta,
Sumedhā cast her hair on the ground.
> Pali: Evaṁ bhaṇati sumedhā,
Saṅkhāragate ratiṁ alabhamānā;
Anunentī anikarattaṁ,
Kese ca chamaṁ khipi sumedhā.
[¶68] Standing up, Anīkaratta
raised his cupped palms to her father and begged:
“Let go of Sumedhā, so that she may go forth!
She will see the truth of liberation.”
> Pali: Uṭṭhāya anikaratto,
Pañjaliko yācatassā pitaraṁ so;
“Vissajjetha sumedhaṁ,
Pabbajituṁ vimokkhasaccadassā”.
[¶69] Released by her mother and father,
she went forth, afraid of grief and fear.
While still a trainee nun she realized the six direct knowledges,
along with the highest fruit.
> Pali: Vissajjitā mātāpitūhi,
pabbaji sokabhayabhītā;
Cha abhiññā sacchikatā,
aggaphalaṁ sikkhamānāya.
[¶70] The extinguishment of the princess
was incredible and amazing;
on her deathbed, she declared
her several past lives.
> Pali: Acchariyamabbhutaṁ taṁ,
Nibbānaṁ āsi rājakaññāya;
Pubbenivāsacaritaṁ,
Yathā byākari pacchime kāle.
[¶71] “In the time of the Buddha Koṇāgamana,
we three friends gave the gift
of a newly-built dwelling
in the Saṅgha’s monastery.
> Pali: “Bhagavati koṇāgamane,
Saṅghārāmamhi navanivesamhi;
Sakhiyo tisso janiyo,
Vihāradānaṁ adāsimha.
[¶72] Ten times, a hundred times,
a thousand times, ten thousand times,
we were reborn among the gods,
let alone among humans.
> Pali: Dasakkhattuṁ satakkhattuṁ,
Dasasatakkhattuṁ satāni ca satakkhattuṁ;
Devesu uppajjimha,
Ko pana vādo manussesu.
[¶73] We were mighty among the gods,
let alone among humans!
I was queen to a king with the seven treasures—
I was the treasure of a wife.
> Pali: Devesu mahiddhikā ahumha,
Mānusakamhi ko pana vādo;
Sattaratanassa mahesī,
Itthiratanaṁ ahaṁ āsiṁ.
[¶74] That was the cause, that the origin, that the root,
that was the acceptance of the dispensation;
that first meeting culminated in extinguishment
for one delighting in the teaching.
> Pali: So hetu so pabhavo,
Taṁ mūlaṁ sāva sāsane khantī;
Taṁ paṭhamasamodhānaṁ,
Taṁ dhammaratāya nibbānaṁ.
[¶75] So say those who have faith in the words
of the one unrivaled in wisdom.
They’re disillusioned with any state of life,
and being disillusioned they become dispassionate.”
> Pali: Evaṁ karonti ye sadda-
hanti vacanaṁ anomapaññassa;
Nibbindanti bhavagate,
Nibbinditvā virajjantī”ti.
[¶76] That is how these verses were recited by the senior nun Sumedhā.
> Pali: Itthaṁ sudaṁ sumedhā therī gāthāyo abhāsitthāti.
[¶77] > Pali: Mahānipāto niṭṭhito.
[¶78] > Pali: Samattā therīgāthāyo
[¶79] > Pali: Gāthāsatāni cattāri,
asīti puna cuddasa;
Theriyekuttarasatā,
sabbā tā āsavakkhayāti.
[¶80] The Verses of the Senior Nuns are finished.
> Pali: Therīgāthāpāḷi niṭṭhitā.