Paṭācārātherīgāthā

Therīgāthā 5.10

Verses of the Senior Nuns 5.10

Pañcakanipāta

The Book of the Fives

Paṭācārātherīgāthā

Paṭācārā

“Naṅgalehi kasaṁ khettaṁ,

Plowing the fields,

bījāni pavapaṁ chamā;

sowing seeds in the ground,

Puttadārāni posentā,

providing for partners and children,

dhanaṁ vindanti māṇavā.

young men acquire wealth.

Kimahaṁ sīlasampannā,

I am accomplished in ethics,

satthusāsanakārikā;

and I do the Teacher’s bidding,

Nibbānaṁ nādhigacchāmi,

being neither lazy nor restless—

akusītā anuddhatā.

why then do I not achieve quenching?

Pāde pakkhālayitvāna,

Having washed my feet,

udakesu karomahaṁ;

I took note of the water,

Pādodakañca disvāna,

seeing the foot-washing water

thalato ninnamāgataṁ.

flowing from high ground to low.

Tato cittaṁ samādhesiṁ,

My mind became serene,

assaṁ bhadraṁvajāniyaṁ;

like a fine thoroughbred steed.

Tato dīpaṁ gahetvāna,

Then, taking a lamp,

vihāraṁ pāvisiṁ ahaṁ;

I entered my dwelling,

Seyyaṁ olokayitvāna,

inspected the bed,

mañcakamhi upāvisiṁ.

and sat on my cot.

Tato sūciṁ gahetvāna,

Then, grabbing the pin,

vaṭṭiṁ okassayāmahaṁ;

I drew out the wick.

Padīpasseva nibbānaṁ,

The liberation of my heart

vimokkho ahu cetaso”ti.

was like the quenching of the lamp.

… Paṭācārā therī ….