Ambapālī

Ambapālītherīgāthā

252 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.

252p_19Th2_330"Kāḷakā bhamaravaṇṇasādisā,
Vellitaggā mama muddhajā ahuṁ;
Te jarāya sāṇavākasādisā,
Saccavādivacanaṁ anaññathā.

253 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.

253p_19Th2_331Vāsitova surabhī karaṇḍako,
Pupphapūra mama uttamaṅgajo;
Taṁ jarāyatha salomagandhikaṁ,
Saccavādivacanaṁ anaññathā.

254 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.

254p_19Th2_332Kānanaṁva sahitaṁ suropitaṁ,
Kocchasūcivicitaggasobhitaṁ;
Taṁ jarāya viralaṁ tahiṁ tahiṁ,
Saccavādivacanaṁ anaññathā.

255 With plaits of black and ribbons of gold,
it was so pretty, adorned with braids;
now old, my head’s gone bald—
the word of the truthful one is confirmed.

255 p_19Th2_333Kaṇhakhandhakasuvaṇṇamaṇḍitaṁ,
Sobhate suveṇīhilaṅkataṁ;
Taṁ jarāya khalitaṁ siraṁ kataṁ,
Saccavādivacanaṁ anaññathā.

256 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.

256p_19Th2_334Cittakārasukatāva lekhikā,
Sobhare su bhamukā pure mama;
Tā jarāya valibhippalambitā,
Saccavādivacanaṁ anaññathā.

257 My eyes shone brilliant as gems,
wide and deepest blue;
ruined by age, they shine no more—
the word of the truthful one is confirmed.

257p_19Th2_335Bhassarā surucirā yathā maṇī,
Nettahesumabhinīlamāyatā;
Te jarāyabhihatā na sobhare,
Saccavādivacanaṁ anaññathā.

258 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.

258p_19Th2_336Saṇhatuṅgasadisī ca nāsikā,
Sobhate su abhiyobbanaṁ pati;
Sā jarāya upakūlitā viya,
Saccavādivacanaṁ anaññathā.

259 My ear-lobes were so pretty,
like lovingly crafted bracelets;
now old, they droop with wrinkles—
the word of the truthful one is confirmed.

259p_19Th2_337Kaṅkaṇaṁva sukataṁ suniṭṭhitaṁ,
Sobhare su mama kaṇṇapāḷiyo;
Tā jarāya valibhippalambitā,
Saccavādivacanaṁ anaññathā.

260 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.

260p_19Th2_338Pattalīmakulavaṇṇasādisā,
Sobhare su dantā pure mama;
Te jarāya khaṇḍitā cāsitā,
Saccavādivacanaṁ anaññathā.

261 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.

261p_19Th2_339Kānanamhi vanasaṇḍacārinī,
Kokilāva madhuraṁ nikūjihaṁ;
Taṁ jarāya khalitaṁ tahiṁ tahiṁ,
Saccavādivacanaṁ anaññathā.

262 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.

262p_19Th2_340Saṇhakamburiva suppamajjitā,
Sobhate su gīvā pure mama;
Sā jarāya bhaggā vināmitā,
Saccavādivacanaṁ anaññathā.

263 My arms used to be so pretty,
like rounded cross-bars;
now old, they droop like a trumpet-flower tree—
the word of the truthful one is confirmed.

263 p_19Th2_341Vaṭṭapalighasadisopamā ubho,
Sobhare su bāhā pure mama;
Tā jarāya yatha pāṭalibbalitā,
Saccavādivacanaṁ anaññathā.

264 My hands used to be so pretty,
adorned with lovely golden rings;
now old, they’re like red radishes—
the word of the truthful one is confirmed.

264p_19Th2_342Saṇhamuddikasuvaṇṇamaṇḍitā,
Sobhare su hatthā pure mama;
Te jarāya yathā mūlamūlikā,
Saccavādivacanaṁ anaññathā.

265 My breasts used to be so pretty,
swelling, round, close, and high;
now they droop like water bags—
the word of the truthful one is confirmed.

265p_19Th2_343Pīnavaṭṭasahituggatā ubho,
Sobhare su thanakā pure mama;
Thevikīva lambanti nodakā,
Saccavādivacanaṁ anaññathā.

266 My body used to be so pretty,
like a polished slab of gold;
now it’s covered with fine wrinkles—
the word of the truthful one is confirmed.

266p_19Th2_344Kañcanassa phalakaṁva sammaṭṭhaṁ,
Sobhate su kāyo pure mama;
So valīhi sukhumāhi otato,
Saccavādivacanaṁ anaññathā.

267 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.

267p_19Th2_345Nāgabhogasadisopamā ubho,
Sobhare su ūrū pure mama;
Te jarāya yathā veḷunāḷiyo,
Saccavādivacanaṁ anaññathā.

268 My calves used to be so pretty,
adorned with cute golden anklets;
now old, they’re like sesame sticks—
the word of the truthful one is confirmed.

268p_19Th2_346Saṇhanūpurasuvaṇṇamaṇḍitā,
Sobhare su jaṅghā pure mama;
Tā jarāya tiladaṇḍakāriva,
Saccavādivacanaṁ anaññathā.

269 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.

269p_19Th2_347Tūlapuṇṇasadisopamā ubho,
Sobhare su pādā pure mama;
Te jarāya phuṭitā valīmatā,
Saccavādivacanaṁ anaññathā.

270 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.

270 p_19Th2_348Ediso ahu ayaṁ samussayo,
Jajjaro bahudukkhānamālayo;
Sopalepapatito jarāgharo,
Saccavādivacanaṁ anaññathā".

Rohinī

Rohinītherīgāthā

271 “You fell asleep saying ‘ascetics’;
you woke up saying ‘ascetics’;
you only praise ascetics, madam—
surely you’ll become an ascetic.

271p_19Th2_350"‘Samaṇā’ti bhoti supi,
‘samaṇā’ti pabujjhasi;
Samaṇāneva kittesi,
samaṇī nūna bhavissasi.

272 You provide ascetics
with abundant food and drink.
I ask you now, Rohiṇī:
why do you like ascetics?

272p_19Th2_351Vipulaṁ annañca pānañca,
samaṇānaṁ paveccasi;
Rohinī dāni pucchāmi,
kena te samaṇā piyā.

273 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?”

273p_19Th2_352Akammakāmā alasā,
paradattūpajīvino;
Āsaṁsukā sādukāmā,
kena te samaṇā piyā".

274 “Dad, for a long time now
you’ve questioned me about ascetics.
I shall extol for you
their wisdom, ethics, and vigor.

274p_19Th2_353"Cirassaṁ vata maṁ tāta,
samaṇānaṁ paripucchasi;
Tesaṁ te kittayissāmi,
paññāsīlaparakkamaṁ.

275 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.

275p_19Th2_354Kammakāmā analasā,
kammaseṭṭhassa kārakā;
Rāgaṁ dosaṁ pajahanti,
tena me samaṇā piyā.

276 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.

276p_19Th2_355Tīṇi pāpassa mūlāni,
dhunanti sucikārino;
Sabbaṁ pāpaṁ pahīnesaṁ,
tena me samaṇā piyā.

277 Their bodily actions are pure;
their actions of speech likewise;
their actions of mind are pure—
that’s why I like ascetics.

277p_19Th2_356Kāyakammaṁ suci nesaṁ,
vacīkammañca tādisaṁ;
Manokammaṁ suci nesaṁ,
tena me samaṇā piyā.

278 Immaculate as a conch-shell,
they’re pure inside and out,
full of bright qualities—
that’s why I like ascetics.

278p_19Th2_357Vimalā saṅkhamuttāva,
suddhā santarabāhirā;
Puṇṇā sukkāna dhammānaṁ,
tena me samaṇā piyā.

279 They’re learned and memorize the teaching,
noble, living righteously,
teaching the text and its meaning:
that’s why I like ascetics.

279p_19Th2_358Bahussutā dhammadharā,
ariyā dhammajīvino;
Atthaṁ dhammañca desenti,
tena me samaṇā piyā.

280 They’re learned and memorize the teaching,
noble, living righteously,
unified in mind, and mindful—
that’s why I like ascetics.

280p_19Th2_359Bahussutā dhammadharā,
ariyā dhammajīvino;
Ekaggacittā satimanto,
tena me samaṇā piyā.

281 Traveling afar, and mindful,
thoughtful in counsel, and stable,
they understand the end of suffering—
that’s why I like ascetics.

281p_19Th2_360Dūraṅgamā satimanto,
mantabhāṇī anuddhatā;
Dukkhassantaṁ pajānanti,
tena me samaṇā piyā.

282 When they leave a village,
they don’t look back with longing,
but proceed without concern—
that’s why I like ascetics.

282p_19Th2_361Yasmā gāmā pakkamanti,
na vilokenti kiñcanaṁ;
Anapekkhāva gacchanti,
tena me samaṇā piyā.

283 They hoard no goods in storerooms,
nor in pots or baskets.
They seek food prepared by others—
that’s why I like ascetics.

283 p_19Th2_362Na te saṁ koṭṭhe openti,
na kumbhiṁ na khaḷopiyaṁ;
Pariniṭṭhitamesānā,
tena me samaṇā piyā.

284 They don’t receive silver,
or gold whether coined or uncoined;
feeding on whatever comes that day,
that’s why I like ascetics.

284p_19Th2_363Na te hiraññaṁ gaṇhanti,
na suvaṇṇaṁ na rūpiyaṁ;
Paccuppannena yāpenti,
tena me samaṇā piyā.

285 They have gone forth from different families,
even different countries,
and yet they all love one another—
that’s why I like ascetics.”

285p_19Th2_364Nānākulā pabbajitā,
nānājanapadehi ca;
Aññamaññaṁ piyāyanti,
tena me samaṇā piyā".

286 “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.

286p_19Th2_365"Atthāya vata no bhoti,
kule jātāsi rohinī;
Saddhā buddhe ca dhamme ca,
saṁghe ca tibbagāravā.

287 For you understand this
supreme field of merit.
These ascetics will henceforth
receive our religious donation, too.

287p_19Th2_366Tuvaṁ hetaṁ pajānāsi,
puññakkhettaṁ anuttaraṁ;
Amhampi ete samaṇā,
paṭigaṇhanti dakkhiṇaṁ.

288 For there we will place our sacrifice,
and it shall be abundant.”
“If you fear suffering,
if you don’t like suffering,

288p_19Th2_367Patiṭṭhito hettha yañño,
vipulo no bhavissati";
"Sace bhāyasi dukkhassa,
sace te dukkhamappiyaṁ.

289 go for refuge to the Buddha, the poised,
to his teaching and to the Saṅgha.
Undertake the precepts,
that will be good for you.”

289p_19Th2_368Upehi saraṇaṁ buddhaṁ,
dhammaṁ saṁghañca tādinaṁ;
Samādiyāhi sīlāni,
taṁ te atthāya hehiti".

290 “I go for refuge to the Buddha, the poised,
to his teaching and to the Saṅgha.
I undertake the precepts,
that will be good for me.

290p_19Th2_369"Upemi saraṇaṁ buddhaṁ,
dhammaṁ saṁghañca tādinaṁ;
Samādiyāmi sīlāni,
taṁ me atthāya hehiti.

291 In the past I was related to Brahmā,
now I genuinely am a brahmin.
Possessing the three knowledges, I’m a genuine scholar,
I’m a knowledge master, a bathed initiate.”

291p_19Th2_370Brahmabandhu pure āsiṁ,
so idānimhi brāhmaṇo;
Tevijjo sottiyo camhi,
vedagū camhi nhātako".

Cāpā

Cāpātherīgāthā

292 “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.

292p_19Th2_372"Laṭṭhihattho pure āsi,
so dāni migaluddako;
Āsāya palipā ghorā,
nāsakkhi pārametave.

293 Thinking me so in love with her,
Cāpā kept our son happy.
Having cut Cāpā’s bond,
I’ll go forth once again.”

293p_19Th2_373Sumattaṁ maṁ maññamānā,
cāpā puttamatosayi;
Cāpāya bandhanaṁ chetvā,
pabbajissaṁ punopahaṁ".

294 “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 practice austerities.”

294p_19Th2_374"Mā me kujjhi mahāvīra,
mā me kujjhi mahāmuni;
Na hi kodhaparetassa,
suddhi atthi kuto tapo".

295 “I’m going to leave Nālā!
For who’d stay here at Nālā!
With their figures, the women trap
ascetics who live righteously.”

295 p_19Th2_375"Pakkamissañca nāḷāto,
kodha nāḷāya vacchati;
Bandhantī itthirūpena,
samaṇe dhammajīvino".

296 “Please, Kāḷa, come back to me.
Enjoy pleasures like you did before.
I’ll be under your control,
along with any relatives I have.”

296p_19Th2_376"Ehi kāḷa nivattassu,
bhuñja kāme yathā pure;
Ahañca te vasīkatā,
ye ca me santi ñātakā".

297 “Cāpā, if even a quarter
of what you say were true,
it would be a splendid thing
for a man in love with you!”

297p_19Th2_377"Etto cāpe catubbhāgaṁ,
yathā bhāsasi tvañca me;
Tayi rattassa posassa,
uḷāraṁ vata taṁ siyā".

298 “Kāḷa, I am like a sprouting iris
flowering on a mountain top,
like a blossoming pomegranate,
like a trumpet-flower tree on an isle;

298p_19Th2_378"Kāḷaṅginiṁva takkāriṁ,
pupphitaṁ girimuddhani;
Phullaṁ dālimalaṭṭhiṁva,
antodīpeva pāṭaliṁ.

299 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?”

299p_19Th2_379Haricandanalittaṅgiṁ,
kāsikuttamadhāriniṁ;
Taṁ maṁ rūpavatiṁ santiṁ,
kassa ohāya gacchasi".

300 “You’re like a fowler
who wants to catch a bird;
but you won’t trap me
with your captivating form.”

300p_19Th2_380"Sākuntikova sakuṇiṁ,
yathā bandhitumicchati;
Āharimena rūpena,
na maṁ tvaṁ bādhayissasi".

301 “But this child, my fruit,
was begotten by you, Kāḷa.
When I have this child,
how can you abandon me and leave?”

301p_19Th2_381"Imañca me puttaphalaṁ,
kāḷa uppāditaṁ tayā;
Taṁ maṁ puttavatiṁ santiṁ,
kassa ohāya gacchasi".

302 “The wise give up
children, family, and wealth.
Great heroes go forth
like elephants breaking their bonds.”

302p_19Th2_382"Jahanti putte sappaññā,
tato ñātī tato dhanaṁ;
Pabbajanti mahāvīrā,
nāgo chetvāva bandhanaṁ".

303 “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.”

303p_19Th2_383"Idāni te imaṁ puttaṁ,
Daṇḍena churikāya vā;
Bhūmiyaṁ vā nisumbhissaṁ,
Puttasokā na gacchasi".

304 “Even if you feed our son
to jackals and dogs,
I’d never return again, you bitch,
not even for the child’s sake.”

304p_19Th2_384"Sace puttaṁ siṅgālānaṁ,
kukkurānaṁ padāhisi;
Na maṁ puttakatte jammi,
punarāvattayissasi".

305 “Well then, sir, tell me,
where will you go, Kāḷa?
To what village or town,
city or capital?”

305 p_19Th2_385"Handa kho dāni bhaddante,
kuhiṁ kāḷa gamissasi;
Katamaṁ gāmanigamaṁ,
nagaraṁ rājadhāniyo".

306 “Last time we had followers,
we weren’t ascetics, we just thought we were.
We wandered from village to village,
to cities and capitals.

306p_19Th2_386"Ahumha pubbe gaṇino,
Assamaṇā samaṇamānino;
Gāmena gāmaṁ vicarimha,
Nagare rājadhāniyo.

307 But now the Blessed One, the Buddha,
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.”

307p_19Th2_387Eso hi bhagavā buddho,
nadiṁ nerañjaraṁ pati;
Sabbadukkhappahānāya,
dhammaṁ deseti pāṇinaṁ;
Tassāhaṁ santikaṁ gacchaṁ,
so me satthā bhavissati".

308 “Now please convey my respects
to the supreme protector of the world.
Circling him to your right,
dedicate my religious donation.”

308p_19Th2_388"Vandanaṁ dāni vajjāsi,
lokanāthaṁ anuttaraṁ;
Padakkhiṇañca katvāna,
ādiseyyāsi dakkhiṇaṁ".

309 “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.”

309p_19Th2_389"Etaṁ kho labbhamamhehi,
yathā bhāsasi tvañca me;
Vandanaṁ dāni te vajjaṁ,
lokanāthaṁ anuttaraṁ;
Padakkhiṇañca katvāna,
ādisissāmi dakkhiṇaṁ".

310 Then Kāḷa set out
for the bank of the Nerañjara River.
He saw the Awakened One
teaching the deathless state:

310p_19Th2_390Tato ca kāḷo pakkāmi,
nadiṁ nerañjaraṁ pati;
So addasāsi sambuddhaṁ,
desentaṁ amataṁ padaṁ.

311 suffering, suffering’s origin,
suffering’s transcendence,
and the noble eightfold path
that leads to the stilling of suffering.

311p_19Th2_391Dukkhaṁ dukkhasamuppādaṁ,
dukkhassa ca atikkamaṁ;
Ariyaṁ caṭṭhaṅgikaṁ maggaṁ,
dukkhūpasamagāminaṁ.

312 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.

312p_19Th2_392Tassa pādāni vanditvā,
Katvāna naṁ padakkhiṇaṁ;
Cāpāya ādisitvāna,
Pabbajiṁ anagāriyaṁ;
Tisso vijjā anuppattā,
Kataṁ buddhassa sāsanaṁ.

Sundarī

Sundarītherīgāthā

313 “Before, when your children passed away,
you would expose them to be eaten.
All day and all night
you’d be racked with despair.

313p_19Th2_394"Petāni bhoti puttāni,
khādamānā tuvaṁ pure;
Tuvaṁ divā ca ratto ca,
atīva paritappasi.

314 Today, brahmin lady, you have exposed
seven children in all to be eaten;
Vāseṭṭhī, what is the reason why
you’re not so filled with despair?”

314p_19Th2_395Sājja sabbāni khāditvā,
sataputtāni brāhmaṇī;
Vāseṭṭhi kena vaṇṇena,
na bāḷhaṁ paritappasi".

315 “Many hundreds of children,
hundreds of family circles,
both mine and yours, brahmin,
have been eaten in the past.

315p_19Th2_396"Bahūni puttasatāni,
ñātisaṅghasatāni ca;
Khāditāni atītaṁse,
mama tuyhañca brāhmaṇa.

316 Having known the escape
from rebirth and death
I neither grieve nor lament,
nor do I despair.”

316p_19Th2_397Sāhaṁ nissaraṇaṁ ñatvā,
jātiyā maraṇassa ca;
Na socāmi na rodāmi,
na cāpi paritappayiṁ".

317 “Wow, Vaseṭṭhī, the words you speak
really are amazing!
Whose teaching did you understand
that you say these things?”

317 p_19Th2_398"Abbhutaṁ vata vāseṭṭhi,
vācaṁ bhāsasi edisiṁ;
Kassa tvaṁ dhammamaññāya,
giraṁ bhāsasi edisiṁ".

318 “Brahmin, the Awakened One
at the city of Mithilā,
teaches the Dhamma so that living creatures
may abandon all suffering.

318p_19Th2_399"Esa brāhmaṇa sambuddho,
nagaraṁ mithilaṁ pati;
Sabbadukkhappahānāya,
dhammaṁ desesi pāṇinaṁ.

319 After hearing the perfected one’s teaching,
brahmin, which is free of all attachments,
having understood the true teaching there,
I’ve swept away grief for children.”

319p_19Th2_400Tassa brahme arahato,
dhammaṁ sutvā nirūpadhiṁ;
Tattha viññātasaddhammā,
puttasokaṁ byapānudiṁ".

320 “I too shall go
to the city of Mithilā.
Hopefully the Buddha may release me
from all suffering.”

320p_19Th2_401"So ahampi gamissāmi,
nagaraṁ mithilaṁ pati;
Appeva maṁ so bhagavā,
sabbadukkhā pamocaye".

321 The brahmin saw the Buddha,
liberated, free of attachments.
He taught him the Dhamma,
the sage gone beyond suffering:

321p_19Th2_402Addasa brāhmaṇo buddhaṁ,
vippamuttaṁ nirūpadhiṁ;
Svassa dhammamadesesi,
muni dukkhassa pāragū.

322 suffering, suffering’s origin,
suffering’s transcendence,
and the noble eightfold path
that leads to the stilling of suffering.

322p_19Th2_403Dukkhaṁ dukkhasamuppādaṁ,
dukkhassa ca atikkamaṁ;
Ariyaṁ caṭṭhaṅgikaṁ maggaṁ,
dukkhūpasamagāminaṁ.

323 Having understood the true teaching there,
he chose to go forth.
Three days later
Sujāta realized the three knowledges.

323p_19Th2_404Tattha viññātasaddhammo,
pabbajjaṁ samarocayi;
Sujāto tīhi rattīhi,
tisso vijjā aphassayi.

324 “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.’”

324p_19Th2_405"Ehi sārathi gacchāhi,
rathaṁ niyyādayāhimaṁ;
Ārogyaṁ brāhmaṇiṁ vajja,
‘pabbaji dāni brāhmaṇo;
Sujāto tīhi rattīhi,
tisso vijjā aphassayi’".

325 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.”

325p_19Th2_406Tato ca rathamādāya,
sahassañcāpi sārathi;
Ārogyaṁ brāhmaṇiṁvoca,
"pabbaji dāni brāhmaṇo;
Sujāto tīhi rattīhi,
tisso vijjā aphassayi".

326 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.”

326p_19Th2_407"Etañcāhaṁ assarathaṁ,
sahassañcāpi sārathi;
Tevijjaṁ brāhmaṇaṁ sutvā,
puṇṇapattaṁ dadāmi te".

327 “Keep the horse and carriage, lady,
along with the thousand coins.
I too shall go forth in his presence,
the one of such splendid wisdom.”

327p_19Th2_408"Tuyheva hotvassaratho,
sahassañcāpi brāhmaṇi;
Ahampi pabbajissāmi,
varapaññassa santike".

328 “Elephants, cattle, jeweled earrings,
such opulent domestic wealth:
having given it up, your father went forth,
enjoy these riches Sundarī,
you are the family heir.”

328 p_19Th2_409"Hatthī gavassaṁ maṇikuṇḍalañca,
Phītañcimaṁ gahavibhavaṁ pahāya;
Pitā pabbajito tuyhaṁ,
Bhuñja bhogāni sundarī;
Tuvaṁ dāyādikā kule".

329 “Elephants, cattle, jeweled earrings,
such delightful domestic wealth:
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.”

329p_19Th2_410"Hatthī gavassaṁ maṇikuṇḍalañca,
Rammaṁ cimaṁ gahavibhavaṁ pahāya;
Pitā pabbajito mayhaṁ,
Puttasokena aṭṭito;
Ahampi pabbajissāmi,
Bhātusokena aṭṭitā".

330 “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.”

330p_19Th2_411"So te ijjhatu saṅkappo,
yaṁ tvaṁ patthesi sundarī;
Uttiṭṭhapiṇḍo uñcho ca,
paṁsukūlañca cīvaraṁ;
Etāni abhisambhontī,
paraloke anāsavā".

331 “Ma’am, while I am still a trainee nun,
my clairvoyance is clarified;
I know my past lives,
the places I used to live.

331p_19Th2_412"Sikkhamānāya me ayye,
dibbacakkhu visodhitaṁ;
Pubbenivāsaṁ jānāmi,
yattha me vusitaṁ pure.

332 Relying on a fine lady like you,
a senior nun who beautifies the Saṅgha,
I’ve attained the three knowledges,
and fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions.

332p_19Th2_413Tuvaṁ nissāya kalyāṇi,
theri saṁghassa sobhane;
Tisso vijjā anuppattā,
kataṁ buddhassa sāsanaṁ.

333 Give me permission ma’am,
I wish to go to Sāvatthī,
where I shall roar my lion’s roar
before the best of Buddhas.”

333p_19Th2_414Anujānāhi me ayye,
icche sāvatthi gantave;
Sīhanādaṁ nadissāmi,
buddhaseṭṭhassa santike".

334 “Sundarī, see the Teacher!
Golden colored, golden skinned,
tamer of the untamed,
the Awakened One who fears nothing from any quarter.”

334p_19Th2_415"Passa sundari satthāraṁ,
hemavaṇṇaṁ harittacaṁ;
Adantānaṁ dametāraṁ,
sambuddhamakutobhayaṁ".

335 “See Sundarī coming,
liberated, free of attachments.
desireless, detached,
her task completed, without defilements.”

335p_19Th2_416"Passa sundarimāyantiṁ,
vippamuttaṁ nirūpadhiṁ;
Vītarāgaṁ visaṁyuttaṁ,
katakiccamanāsavaṁ.

336 “Having set forth from Bārāṇasī
and come to your presence, great hero,
your disciple Sundarī
bows at your feet.

336p_19Th2_417Bārāṇasito nikkhamma,
tava santikamāgatā;
Sāvikā te mahāvīra,
pāde vandati sundarī.

337 You are the Buddha, you are the Teacher,
I am your rightful daughter, brahmin,
born of your mouth.
I’ve completed the task and am free of defilements.”

337p_19Th2_418Tuvaṁ buddho tuvaṁ satthā,
tuyhaṁ dhītāmhi brāhmaṇa;
Orasā mukhato jātā,
katakiccā anāsavā".

338 “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.”

338 p_19Th2_419"Tassā te svāgataṁ bhadde,
tato te adurāgataṁ;
Evañhi dantā āyanti,
satthu pādāni vandikā;
Vītarāgā visaṁyuttā,
katakiccā anāsavā".

Subhā, the Smith’s Daughter

Subhākammāradhītutherīgāthā

339 “I was so young, my clothes so fresh,
at that time I heard the teaching.
Being diligent,
I comprehended the truth;

339p_19Th2_421"Daharāhaṁ suddhavasanā,
yaṁ pure dhammamassuṇiṁ;
Tassā me appamattāya,
saccābhisamayo ahu.

340 and then I became profoundly dispassionate
towards all sensual pleasures.
Seeing fear in identity,
I longed for renunciation.

340p_19Th2_422Tatohaṁ sabbakāmesu,
bhusaṁ aratimajjhagaṁ;
Sakkāyasmiṁ bhayaṁ disvā,
nekkhammameva pīhaye.

341 Giving up my family circle,
bonded servants and workers,
and my flourishing villages and lands,
so delightful and pleasant,

341p_19Th2_423Hitvānahaṁ ñātigaṇaṁ,
dāsakammakarāni ca;
Gāmakhettāni phītāni,
ramaṇīye pamodite.

342 I went forth;
all that is no small wealth.
Now that I’ve gone forth in faith like this,
in the true teaching so well proclaimed,

342p_19Th2_424Pahāyahaṁ pabbajitā,
sāpateyyamanappakaṁ;
Evaṁ saddhāya nikkhamma,
saddhamme suppavedite.

343 since I desire to have nothing,
it would not be appropriate
to take back gold and money,
having already got rid of them.

343p_19Th2_425Netaṁ assa patirūpaṁ,
Ākiñcaññañhi patthaye;
Yo jātarūpaṁ rajataṁ,
Chaḍḍetvā punarāgame.

344 Money or gold
doesn’t lead to peace and awakening.
It doesn’t befit an ascetic,
it’s not the wealth of the noble ones;

344p_19Th2_426Rajataṁ jātarūpaṁ vā,
na bodhāya na santiyā;
Netaṁ samaṇasāruppaṁ,
na etaṁ ariyaddhanaṁ.

345 it’s just greed and vanity,
confusion and growing decadence,
dubious, troublesome—
there is nothing lasting there.

345p_19Th2_427Lobhanaṁ madanañcetaṁ,
mohanaṁ rajavaḍḍhanaṁ;
Sāsaṅkaṁ bahuāyāsaṁ,
natthi cettha dhuvaṁ ṭhiti.

346 Depraved and heedless,
unenlightened folk, their hearts corrupt,
fight each other,
creating conflict.

346p_19Th2_428Ettha rattā pamattā ca,
saṁkiliṭṭhamanā narā;
Aññamaññena byāruddhā,
puthu kubbanti medhagaṁ.

347 Killing, caging, misery,
loss, grief, and lamentation;
those sunk in sensual pleasures
see many disastrous things.

347p_19Th2_429Vadho bandho parikleso,
jāni sokapariddavo;
Kāmesu adhipannānaṁ,
dissate byasanaṁ bahuṁ.

348 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.

348p_19Th2_430Taṁ maṁ ñātī amittāva,
kiṁ vo kāmesu yuñjatha;
Jānātha maṁ pabbajitaṁ,
kāmesu bhayadassiniṁ.

349 It’s not due to gold, coined or uncoined,
that defilements come to an end.
Sensual pleasures are enemies and murderers,
hostile forces that bind you to thorns.

349 p_19Th2_431Na hiraññasuvaṇṇena,
parikkhīyanti āsavā;
Amittā vadhakā kāmā,
sapattā sallabandhanā.

350 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.

350p_19Th2_432Taṁ maṁ ñātī amittāva,
kiṁ vo kāmesu yuñjatha;
Jānātha maṁ pabbajitaṁ,
muṇḍaṁ saṅghāṭipārutaṁ.

351 Leftovers as gleanings,
and cast-off rags as robes—
that’s what’s fitting for me,
the essentials of the homeless life.

351p_19Th2_433Uttiṭṭhapiṇḍo uñcho ca,
paṁsukūlañca cīvaraṁ;
Etaṁ kho mama sāruppaṁ,
anagārūpanissayo.

352 Great hermits expel sensual pleasures,
both human and divine.
Safe in their sanctuary, they are freed,
having found unshakable happiness.

352p_19Th2_434Vantā mahesīhi kāmā,
ye dibbā ye ca mānusā;
Khemaṭṭhāne vimuttā te,
pattā te acalaṁ sukhaṁ.

353 May I not encounter sensual pleasures,
for no shelter is found in them.
Sensual pleasures are enemies and murderers,
as painful as a bonfire.

353p_19Th2_435Māhaṁ kāmehi saṅgacchiṁ,
yesu tāṇaṁ na vijjati;
Amittā vadhakā kāmā,
aggikkhandhūpamā dukhā.

354 Greed is an obstacle, a threat,
full of anguish and thorns;
it is out of balance,
a great gateway to confusion.

354p_19Th2_436Paripantho esa bhayo,
savighāto sakaṇṭako;
Gedho suvisamo ceso,
mahanto mohanāmukho.

355 Hazardous and terrifying,
sensual pleasures are like a snake’s head,
where fools delight,
the blind ordinary folk.

355p_19Th2_437Upasaggo bhīmarūpo,
kāmā sappasirūpamā;
Ye bālā abhinandanti,
andhabhūtā puthujjanā.

356 Stuck in the swamp of sensuality,
there are so many ignorant in the world.
They know nothing of the end
of rebirth and death.

356p_19Th2_438Kāmapaṅkena sattā hi,
bahū loke aviddasū;
Pariyantaṁ na jānanti,
jātiyā maraṇassa ca.

357 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.

357p_19Th2_439Duggatigamanaṁ maggaṁ,
manussā kāmahetukaṁ;
Bahuṁ ve paṭipajjanti,
attano rogamāvahaṁ.

358 That’s how sensual pleasures create enemies;
they are so tormenting, so corrupting,
trapping beings with the world’s material delights,
they are nothing less than the bonds of death.

358p_19Th2_440Evaṁ amittajananā,
tāpanā saṁkilesikā;
Lokāmisā bandhanīyā,
kāmā maraṇabandhanā.

359 Maddening, enticing,
sensual pleasures derange the mind.
They’re a snare laid by Māra
for the corruption of beings.

359p_19Th2_441Ummādanā ullapanā,
kāmā cittappamaddino;
Sattānaṁ saṁkilesāya,
khippaṁ mārena oḍḍitaṁ.

360 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.

360 p_19Th2_442Anantādīnavā kāmā,
bahudukkhā mahāvisā;
Appassādā raṇakarā,
sukkapakkhavisosanā.

361 Since I’ve created so much ruination
because of sensual pleasures,
I will not relapse to them again,
but will always delight in quenching.

361p_19Th2_443Sāhaṁ etādisaṁ katvā,
byasanaṁ kāmahetukaṁ;
Na taṁ paccāgamissāmi,
nibbānābhiratā sadā.

362 Fighting against sensual pleasures,
longing for that cool state,
I shall meditate diligently
for the ending of all fetters.

362p_19Th2_444Raṇaṁ karitvā kāmānaṁ,
sītibhāvābhikaṅkhīnī;
Appamattā vihassāmi,
sabbasaṁyojanakkhaye.

363 Sorrowless, stainless, secure:
I’ll follow that path,
the straight noble eightfold way
by which the hermits have crossed over.”

363p_19Th2_445Asokaṁ virajaṁ khemaṁ,
ariyaṭṭhaṅgikaṁ ujuṁ;
Taṁ maggaṁ anugacchāmi,
yena tiṇṇā mahesino".

364 “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.

364p_19Th2_446"Imaṁ passatha dhammaṭṭhaṁ,
subhaṁ kammāradhītaraṁ;
Anejaṁ upasampajja,
rukkhamūlamhi jhāyati.

364 It’s just eight days since she went forth,
full of faith in the beautiful teaching.
Guided by Uppalavaṇṇā,
she is master of the three knowledges, conqueror of death.

365p_19Th2_447Ajjaṭṭhamī pabbajitā,
saddhā saddhammasobhanā;
Vinītuppalavaṇṇāya,
tevijjā maccuhāyinī.

365 This one is freed from slavery and debt,
a nun with faculties developed.
Detached from all attachments,
she has completed the task and is free of defilements.”

366p_19Th2_448Sāyaṁ bhujissā anaṇā,
bhikkhunī bhāvitindriyā;
Sabbayogavisaṁyuttā,
katakiccā anāsavā".

367Thus did Sakka, lord of all creatures,
along with a host of gods,
having come by their psychic powers,
honor Subhā, the smith’s daughter.

367p_19Th2_449Taṁ sakko devasaṅghena,
upasaṅkamma iddhiyā;
Namassati bhūtapati,
subhaṁ kammāradhītaranti.