---
title: "Verses of the Senior Nuns · Therīgāthā"
author: "The Elder Nuns"
translator: "Bhikkhu Sujato"
languages: [pi, en]
shelf: "Pali Canon"
section: 13 of 16
url: https://scriptura.si/works/pali-therigatha/13/
cite: "The Elder Nuns, tr. Bhikkhu Sujato, Verses of the Senior Nuns · Therīgāthā, section 13. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/pali-therigatha/13/"
---

# 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.

## 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, <j>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, <j>with sun-golden skin;
tamer of the untamed,
the Awakened One who fears nothing <j>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 <j>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 <j>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 <j>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, <j>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 <j>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.