Sukkātherīgāthā

Therīgāthā 3.6

Verses of the Senior Nuns 3.6

Tikanipāta

The Book of the Threes

Sukkātherīgāthā

Sukkā

“Kiṁme katā rājagahe manussā,

“What’s up with these people in Rājagaha?

Madhuṁ pītāva acchare;

They sprawl like they’ve been drinking mead!

Ye sukkaṁ na upāsanti,

They don’t attend on Sukkā

Desentiṁ buddhasāsanaṁ.

as she teaches the Buddha’s instructions.

Tañca appaṭivānīyaṁ,

But the wise—

asecanakamojavaṁ;

it’s as if they drink it up,

Pivanti maññe sappaññā,

so irresistible, delectable, and nutritious,

valāhakamivaddhagū.

like travelers enjoying a cool cloud.”

Sukkā sukkehi dhammehi,

“She’s known as Sukkā because of her bright qualities,

vītarāgā samāhitā;

free of greed, serene.

Dhāreti antimaṁ dehaṁ,

She bears her final body,

jetvā māraṁ savāhinin”ti.

having vanquished Māra with his legions.”

… Sukkā therī ….