Mahākāḷattheragāthā

Theragāthā 2.16

Verses of the Senior Monks 2.16

Dukanipāta

The Book of the Twos

Dutiyavagga

Chapter Two

Mahākāḷattheragāthā

Mahākāḷa

“Kāḷī itthī brahatī dhaṅkarūpā,

There’s a big black woman who looks like a crow.

Satthiñca bhetvā aparañca satthiṁ;

She broke off thigh-bones, first one then another;

Bāhañca bhetvā aparañca bāhaṁ,

she broke off arm-bones, first one then another;

Sīsañca bhetvā dadhithālakaṁva;

she broke off a skull like a curd-bowl, and then

Esā nisinnā abhisandahitvā.

arranged them and sat nearby.

Yo ve avidvā upadhiṁ karoti,

When an ignorant person builds up attachments,

Punappunaṁ dukkhamupeti mando;

that dullard returns to suffering again and again.

Tasmā pajānaṁ upadhiṁ na kayirā,

So let one who understands
not build up attachments:

Māhaṁ puna bhinnasiro sayissan”ti.

may I never again lie with a broken skull!

… Mahākāḷo thero ….