Yasojattheragāthā

Theragāthā 3.9

Verses of the Senior Monks 3.9

Tikanipāta

The Book of the Threes

Paṭhamavagga

Chapter One

Yasojattheragāthā

Yasoja

“Kālapabbaṅgasaṅkāso,

“With knobbly knees,

kiso dhamanisanthato;

thin and veiny,

Mattaññū annapānamhi,

eating and drinking but little—

adīnamānaso naro”.

this person’s spirit is undaunted.”

“Phuṭṭho ḍaṁsehi makasehi,

“Pestered by flies and mosquitoes

araññasmiṁ brahāvane;

in the wilds, the formidable forest,

Nāgo saṅgāmasīseva,

one should mindfully endure,

sato tatrādhivāsaye.

like an elephant at the head of the battle.

Yathā brahmā tathā eko,

A monk alone is like the supreme Divinity;

yathā devo tathā duve;

a pair of monks are like gods;

Yathā gāmo tathā tayo,

three are like a village;

kolāhalaṁ tatuttarin”ti.

and more than that is a rabble.”

… Yasojo thero ….