Sappadāsattheragāthā

Theragāthā 6.6

Verses of the Senior Monks 6.6

Chakkanipāta

The Book of the Sixes

Paṭhamavagga

Chapter One

Sappadāsattheragāthā

Sappadāsa

“Paṇṇavīsativassāni,

In the twenty-five years

yato pabbajito ahaṁ;

since I went forth,

Accharāsaṅghātamattampi,

I have not found peace of mind,

cetosantimanajjhagaṁ.

even as long as a finger-snap.

Aladdhā cittassekaggaṁ,

Since I couldn’t get my mind unified,

kāmarāgena aṭṭito;

I was racked by desire for pleasures of the senses.

Bāhā paggayha kandanto,

Wailing, with outstretched arms,

vihārā upanikkhamiṁ.

I left my dwelling.

Satthaṁ vā āharissāmi,

Or shall I commit suicide?

Ko attho jīvitena me;

What’s the point of living?

Kathaṁ hi sikkhaṁ paccakkhaṁ,

For how on earth can one such as me die

Kālaṁ kubbetha mādiso.

after resigning the training?

Tadāhaṁ khuramādāya,

Then I picked up a razor,

mañcakamhi upāvisiṁ;

I sat on a cot:

Parinīto khuro āsi,

the razor was ready

dhamaniṁ chettumattano.

to slice my vein.

Tato me manasīkāro,

Then the realization

yoniso udapajjatha;

came upon me—

Ādīnavo pāturahu,

the danger became clear,

nibbidā samatiṭṭhatha.

and I was firmly disillusioned.

Tato cittaṁ vimucci me,

Then my mind was freed—

passa dhammasudhammataṁ;

behold the clear rightness of the teaching!

Tisso vijjā anuppattā,

I’ve attained the three knowledges,

kataṁ buddhassa sāsanan”ti.

and fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions.

… Sappadāso thero ….