Thig 15.1 · Isidāsī
Thig 15.1 · Isidāsītherīgāthā
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.
Nagaramhi kusumanāme,Pāṭaliputtamhi pathaviyā maṇḍe;Sakyakulakulīnāyo,Dve bhikkhuniyo hi guṇavatiyo.
One was named Isidāsī, the second Bodhī.They both were accomplished in ethics,lovers of meditation and chanting,learned, crushing corruptions.
Isidāsī tattha ekā,Dutiyā bodhīti sīlasampannā ca;Jhānajjhāyanaratāyo,Bahussutāyo dhutakilesāyo.
They wandered for alms and had their meal.When they had washed their bowls,they sat happily in a private placeand started a conversation.
Tā piṇḍāya caritvā,Bhattatthaṁ kariya dhotapattāyo;Rahitamhi sukhanisinnā,Imā girā abbhudīresuṁ.
“You’re so lovely, Mistress Isidāsī,your youth has not yet faded.What problem did you see that made youdedicate your life to renunciation?”
“Pāsādikāsi ayye,Isidāsi vayopi te aparihīno;Kiṁ disvāna byālikaṁ,Athāsi nekkhammamanuyuttā”.
Being pressed like this in private,Isidāsī, skilled in teaching Dhamma,voiced the following words.“Bodhī, hear how I went forth.
Evamanuyuñjiyamānā sā,Rahite dhammadesanākusalā;Isidāsī vacanamabravi,“Suṇa bodhi yathāmhi pabbajitā”.
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.
“Ujjeniyā puravare,Mayhaṁ pitā sīlasaṁvuto seṭṭhi;Tassamhi ekadhītā,Piyā manāpā ca dayitā ca.
Then some suitors came for mefrom 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.
Atha me sāketato varakā,Āgacchumuttamakulīnā;Seṭṭhī pahūtaratano,Tassa mamaṁ suṇhamadāsi tāto.
Come morning and come evening,I bowed with my head to the feetof my father and mother-in-law,just as I had been told.
Sassuyā sasurassa ca,Sāyaṁ pātaṁ paṇāmamupagamma;Sirasā karomi pāde,Vandāmi yathāmhi anusiṭṭhā.
Whenever I saw my husband’s sisters,his brothers, his servants,or even he, my one and only,I nervously gave them a seat.
Yā mayhaṁ sāmikassa,Bhaginiyo bhātuno parijano vā;Tamekavarakampi disvā,Ubbiggā āsanaṁ demi.
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.
Annena ca pānena ca,Khajjena ca yañca tattha sannihitaṁ;Chādemi upanayāmi ca,Demi ca yaṁ yassa patirūpaṁ.
Having risen bright and early,I approached the main house,washed my hands and feet,and went to my husband with cupped palms.
Kālena upaṭṭhahitvā,Gharaṁ samupagamāmi ummāre;Dhovantī hatthapāde,Pañjalikā sāmikamupemi.
Taking a comb, adornments,eyeshadow, and a mirror,I myself did the makeup for my husband,as if I were his beautician.
Kocchaṁ pasādaṁ añjaniñca,Ādāsakañca gaṇhitvā;Parikammakārikā viya,Sayameva patiṁ vibhūsemi.
I myself cooked the rice;I myself washed the pots.I looked after my husbandlike a mother her only child.
Sayameva odanaṁ sādhayāmi,Sayameva bhājanaṁ dhovantī;Mātāva ekaputtakaṁ,Tathā bhattāraṁ paricarāmi.
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.
Evaṁ maṁ bhattikataṁ,Anurattaṁ kārikaṁ nihatamānaṁ;Uṭṭhāyikaṁ analasaṁ,Sīlavatiṁ dussate bhattā.
He said to his mother and father:‘I’ll take my leave and go,I can’t stand to live together with Isidāsīstaying in the same house.’
So mātarañca pitarañca,Bhaṇati ‘āpucchahaṁ gamissāmi;Isidāsiyā na saha vacchaṁ,Ekāgārehaṁ saha vatthuṁ’.
‘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?’
‘Mā evaṁ putta avaca,Isidāsī paṇḍitā paribyattā;Uṭṭhāyikā analasā,Kiṁ tuyhaṁ na rocate putta’.
‘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.’
‘Na ca me hiṁsati kiñci,Na cahaṁ isidāsiyā saha vacchaṁ;Dessāva me alaṁ me,Apucchāhaṁ gamissāmi’.
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.’
Tassa vacanaṁ suṇitvā,Sassu sasuro ca maṁ apucchiṁsu;‘Kissa tayā aparaddhaṁ,Bhaṇa vissaṭṭhā yathābhūtaṁ’.
‘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?’
‘Napihaṁ aparajjhaṁ kiñci,Napi hiṁsemi na bhaṇāmi dubbacanaṁ;Kiṁ sakkā kātuyye,Yaṁ maṁ viddessate bhattā’.
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!’
Te maṁ pitugharaṁ paṭinayiṁsu,Vimanā dukhena adhibhūtā;Puttamanurakkhamānā,‘Jitāmhase rūpiniṁ lakkhiṁ’.
Next my dad gave me to the householdof a second wealthy family-man.For this he got half the bride-priceof that which the financier paid.
Atha maṁ adāsi tāto,Aḍḍhassa gharamhi dutiyakulikassa;Tato upaḍḍhasuṅkena,Yena maṁ vindatha seṭṭhi.
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.
Tassapi gharamhi māsaṁ,Avasiṁ atha sopi maṁ paṭiccharayi;Dāsīva upaṭṭhahantiṁ,Adūsikaṁ sīlasampannaṁ.
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.’
Bhikkhāya ca vicarantaṁ,Damakaṁ dantaṁ me pitā bhaṇati;‘Hohisi me jāmātā,Nikkhipa poṭṭhiñca ghaṭikañca’.
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.’
Sopi vasitvā pakkhaṁ,Atha tātaṁ bhaṇati ‘dehi me poṭṭhiṁ;Ghaṭikañca mallakañca,Punapi bhikkhaṁ carissāmi’.
So then my mum and my dadand my whole group of relatives said:‘What has not been done for you here?Quickly, tell us what we can do for you!’
Atha naṁ bhaṇatī tāto,Ammā sabbo ca me ñātigaṇavaggo;‘Kiṁ te na kīrati idha,Bhaṇa khippaṁ taṁ te karihi’ti.
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 Isidāsīstaying in the same house.’
Evaṁ bhaṇito bhaṇati,‘Yadi me attā sakkoti alaṁ mayhaṁ;Isidāsiyā na saha vacchaṁ,Ekagharehaṁ saha vatthuṁ’.
Released, he left.But I sat all alone contemplating:‘Having taken my leave, I’ll go,either to die or to go forth.’
Vissajjito gato so,Ahampi ekākinī vicintemi;‘Āpucchitūna gacchaṁ,Marituye vā pabbajissaṁ vā’.
But then Mistress Jinadattā,learned and virtuous,who had memorized the monastic law,came resorting to my dad’s house for alms.
Atha ayyā jinadattā,Āgacchī gocarāya caramānā;Tātakulaṁ vinayadharī,Bahussutā sīlasampannā.
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,
Taṁ disvāna amhākaṁ,Uṭṭhāyāsanaṁ tassā paññāpayiṁ;Nisinnāya ca pāde,Vanditvā bhojanamadāsiṁ.
satiating her with food and drink,treats, or whatever was in the cupboard.Then I said:‘Ma’am, I wish to go forth!’
Annena ca pānena ca,Khajjena ca yañca tattha sannihitaṁ;Santappayitvā avacaṁ,‘Ayye icchāmi pabbajituṁ’.
But my dad said to me:‘Child, practice Dhamma right here then!With food and drinksatisfy ascetics and the twice-born.’
Atha maṁ bhaṇatī tāto,‘Idheva puttaka carāhi tvaṁ dhammaṁ;Annena ca pānena ca,Tappaya samaṇe dvijātī ca’.
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.’
Athahaṁ bhaṇāmi tātaṁ,Rodantī añjaliṁ paṇāmetvā;‘Pāpañhi mayā pakataṁ,Kammaṁ taṁ nijjaressāmi’.
And my dad said to me:‘May you attain awakening, the highest state,and may you find the extinguishmentthat was realized by the best of men!’
Atha maṁ bhaṇatī tāto,‘Pāpuṇa bodhiñca aggadhammañca;Nibbānañca labhassu,Yaṁ sacchikarī dvipadaseṭṭho’.
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.
Mātāpitū abhivādayitvā,Sabbañca ñātigaṇavaggaṁ;Sattāhaṁ pabbajitā,Tisso vijjā aphassayiṁ.
I know my last seven lives;I shall relate to you the deedsof which this life is the fruit and result:focus your whole mind on that.
Jānāmi attano satta,Jātiyo yassayaṁ phalavipāko;Taṁ tava ācikkhissaṁ,Taṁ ekamanā nisāmehi.
In the city of ErakaccaI was a goldsmith with lots of money.Drunk on the pride of youth,I had sex with someone else’s wife.
Nagaramhi erakacche,Suvaṇṇakāro ahaṁ pahūtadhano;Yobbanamadena matto,So paradāraṁ asevihaṁ.
Having passed away from there,I burned in hell for a long time.Rising up from thereI was conceived in a monkey’s womb.
Sohaṁ tato cavitvā,Nirayamhi apaccisaṁ ciraṁ;Pakko tato ca uṭṭhahitvā,Makkaṭiyā kucchimokkamiṁ.
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.
Sattāhajātakaṁ maṁ,Mahākapi yūthapo nillacchesi;Tassetaṁ kammaphalaṁ,Yathāpi gantvāna paradāraṁ.
Having passed away from there,passing away in Sindhava grove,I was conceived in the wombof a lame, one-eyed she-goat.
Sohaṁ tato cavitvā,Kālaṁ karitvā sindhavāraññe;Kāṇāya ca khañjāya ca,Eḷakiyā kucchimokkamiṁ.
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.
Dvādasa vassāni ahaṁ,Nillacchito dārake parivahitvā;Kimināvaṭṭo akallo,Yathāpi gantvāna paradāraṁ.
Having passed away from there,I was reborn in a cowowned by a cattle merchant.A red calf, castrated, for twelve months
Sohaṁ tato cavitvā,Govāṇijakassa gāviyā jāto;Vaccho lākhātambo,Nillacchito dvādase māse.
I drew a big plow.I shouldered a cart,blind, tail-less, feeble,because of adultery with another’s wife.
Voḍhūna naṅgalamahaṁ,Sakaṭañca dhārayāmi;Andhovaṭṭo akallo,Yathāpi gantvāna paradāraṁ.
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.
Sohaṁ tato cavitvā,Vīthiyā dāsiyā ghare jāto;Neva mahilā na puriso,Yathāpi gantvāna paradāraṁ.
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.
Tiṁsativassamhi mato,Sākaṭikakulamhi dārikā jātā;Kapaṇamhi appabhoge,Dhanika purisapātabahulamhi.
Because of the massive interest we owed,I was dragged away screaming,taken by force from the family homeby a caravan leader.
Taṁ maṁ tato satthavāho,Ussannāya vipulāya vaḍḍhiyā;Okaḍḍhati vilapantiṁ,Acchinditvā kulagharasmā.
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.
Atha soḷasame vasse,Disvā maṁ pattayobbanaṁ kaññaṁ;Orundhatassa putto,Giridāso nāma nāmena.
He also had another wife,a virtuous and well-known lady of quality,loyal to her husband;yet I stirred up resentment in her.
Tassapi aññā bhariyā,Sīlavatī guṇavatī yasavatī ca;Anurattā bhattāraṁ,Tassāhaṁ viddesanamakāsiṁ.
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.”
Tassetaṁ kammaphalaṁ,Yaṁ maṁ apakīritūna gacchanti;Dāsīva upaṭṭhahantiṁ,Tassapi anto kato mayā”ti.
… Isidāsī therī ….
Cattālīsanipāto niṭṭhito.