Sappakattheragāthā

Theragāthā 4.11

Verses of the Senior Monks 4.11

Catukkanipāta

The Book of the Fours

Paṭhamavagga

Chapter One

Sappakattheragāthā

Sappaka

“Yadā balākā sucipaṇḍaracchadā,

When the crane with its beautiful white wings,

Kāḷassa meghassa bhayena tajjitā;

startled by fear of the dark cloud,

Palehiti ālayamālayesinī,

flees, seeking shelter—

Tadā nadī ajakaraṇī rameti maṁ.

then the River Ajakaraṇī delights me.

Yadā balākā suvisuddhapaṇḍarā,

When the crane, so very pure and white,

Kāḷassa meghassa bhayena tajjitā;

startled by fear of the dark rcloud,

Pariyesati leṇamaleṇadassinī,

seeks a cave to shelter in, but can’t see one—

Tadā nadī ajakaraṇī rameti maṁ.

then the River Ajakaraṇī delights me.

Kaṁ nu tattha na ramenti,

Who wouldn’t be delighted

jambuyo ubhato tahiṁ;

by the black plum trees

Sobhenti āpagākūlaṁ,

that grace both banks of the river,

mama leṇassa pacchato.

there, behind my cave?

Tāmatamadasaṅghasuppahīnā,

Well rid of the pack of jackals,
mad for the dead,

Bhekā mandavatī panādayanti;

the lazy frogs croak:

‘Nājja girinadīhi vippavāsasamayo,

“Today is no time to stray from mountain streams;

Khemā ajakaraṇī sivā surammā’”ti.

Ajakaraṇī is safe, pleasant, and delightful.”

… Sappako thero ….