--- title: "Verses of the Senior Nuns · Therīgāthā" author: "The Elder Nuns" translator: "Bhikkhu Sujato" languages: [pi, en] shelf: "Pali Canon" section: 15 of 16 url: https://scriptura.si/works/pali-therigatha/15/ cite: "The Elder Nuns, tr. Bhikkhu Sujato, Verses of the Senior Nuns · Therīgāthā, section 15. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/pali-therigatha/15/" --- # 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. ## 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.