Sopākattheragāthā

Theragāthā 7.4

Verses of the Senior Monks 7.4

Sattakanipāta

The Book of the Sevens

Paṭhamavagga

Chapter One

Sopākattheragāthā

Sopāka (2nd)

“Disvā pāsādachāyāyaṁ,

I saw the supreme man

caṅkamantaṁ naruttamaṁ;

walking mindfully in the shade of the terrace,

Tattha naṁ upasaṅkamma,

so I approached,

vandissaṁ purisuttamaṁ.

and bowed to the supreme among men.

Ekaṁsaṁ cīvaraṁ katvā,

Arranging my robe over one shoulder

saṁharitvāna pāṇayo;

and clasping my hands together,

Anucaṅkamissaṁ virajaṁ,

I walked alongside that stainless one,

sabbasattānamuttamaṁ.

supreme among all beings.

Tato pañhe apucchi maṁ,

The wise one, expert in questions,

pañhānaṁ kovido vidū;

questioned me.

Acchambhī ca abhīto ca,

Brave and fearless,

byākāsiṁ satthuno ahaṁ.

I answered the Teacher.

Vissajjitesu pañhesu,

When all his questions were answered,

anumodi tathāgato;

the Realized One congratulated me.

Bhikkhusaṅghaṁ viloketvā,

Looking around the mendicant Saṅgha,

imamatthaṁ abhāsatha.

he said the following:

‘Lābhā aṅgānaṁ magadhānaṁ,

“It is a blessing for the people of Aṅga and Magadha

Yesāyaṁ paribhuñjati;

that this person enjoys their

Cīvaraṁ piṇḍapātañca,

robe and almsfood,

Paccayaṁ sayanāsanaṁ;

requisites and lodgings,

Paccuṭṭhānañca sāmīciṁ,

their respect and service—

Tesaṁ lābhāti cābravi.

it’s a blessing for them,” he declared.

Ajjatagge maṁ sopāka,

“Sopāka, from this day on

dassanāyopasaṅkama;

you are invited to come and see me.

Esā ceva te sopāka,

And Sopāka, let this

bhavatu upasampadā’.

be your ordination.”

Jātiyā sattavassohaṁ,

At seven years old

laddhāna upasampadaṁ;

I received ordination.

Dhāremi antimaṁ dehaṁ,

I bear my final body—

aho dhammasudhammatā”ti.

oh, the clear rightness of the teaching!

… Sopāko thero ….