Mātaṅgaputtattheragāthā

Theragāthā 3.5

Verses of the Senior Monks 3.5

Tikanipāta

The Book of the Threes

Paṭhamavagga

Chapter One

Mātaṅgaputtattheragāthā

Mātaṅgaputta

“Atisītaṁ atiuṇhaṁ,

“It’s too cold, too hot,

atisāyamidaṁ ahu;

too late,” they say.

Iti vissaṭṭhakammante,

When the young neglect their work like this,

khaṇā accenti māṇave.

opportunities pass them by.

Yo ca sītañca uṇhañca,

But one who considers heat and cold

tiṇā bhiyyo na maññati;

as no more than blades of grass—

Karaṁ purisakiccāni,

he does his duties as a man,

so sukhā na vihāyati.

and his happiness never fails.

Dabbaṁ kusaṁ poṭakilaṁ,

With my chest I’ll thrust aside

usīraṁ muñjapabbajaṁ;

the grasses, vines, canes,

Urasā panudissāmi,

the vetiver, rushes and reeds,

vivekamanubrūhayan”ti.

and foster seclusion.

… Mātaṅgaputto thero ….