Vimalātherīgāthā
Vimalā, the Former Courtesan
“Mattā vaṇṇena rūpena, Intoxicated by my appearance,
sobhaggena yasena ca; my figure, my beauty, my fame,
Yobbanena cupatthaddhā, and owing to my youth,
aññāsamatimaññihaṁ. I looked down on others.
Vibhūsetvā imaṁ kāyaṁ, I adorned this body
sucittaṁ bālalāpanaṁ; all pretty, lamented by fools,
Aṭṭhāsiṁ vesidvāramhi, and stood at the brothel door,
luddo pāsamivoḍḍiya. like a hunter laying a snare.
Piḷandhanaṁ vidaṁsentī, I stripped for them,
guyhaṁ pakāsikaṁ bahuṁ; revealing my many hidden treasures.
Akāsiṁ vividhaṁ māyaṁ, Creating an intricate illusion,
ujjagghantī bahuṁ janaṁ. I laughed, teasing those men.
Sājja piṇḍaṁ caritvāna, Today, having wandered for alms,
muṇḍā saṅghāṭipārutā; my head shaven, wearing the outer robe,
Nisinnā rukkhamūlamhi, I sat at the root of a tree to meditate;
avitakkassa lābhinī. I’ve gained freedom from thought.
Sabbe yogā samucchinnā, All yokes are severed,
ye dibbā ye ca mānusā; both human and heavenly.
Khepetvā āsave sabbe, Having wiped out all defilements,
sītibhūtāmhi nibbutā”ti. I have become cooled and quenched.
