Sīhātherīgāthā

Therīgāthā 5.3

Verses of the Senior Nuns 5.3

Pañcakanipāta

The Book of the Fives

Sīhātherīgāthā

Sīhā

“Ayoniso manasikārā,

Due to irrational application of mind,

kāmarāgena aṭṭitā;

I was racked by desire for pleasures of the senses.

Ahosiṁ uddhatā pubbe,

I was restless in the past,

citte avasavattinī.

lacking control over my mind.

Pariyuṭṭhitā klesehi,

Overcome by corruptions,

subhasaññānuvattinī;

pursuing perceptions of the beautiful,

Samaṁ cittassa na labhiṁ,

I gained no peace of mind.

rāgacittavasānugā.

Under the sway of lustful thoughts,

Kisā paṇḍu vivaṇṇā ca,

thin, pale, and wan,

satta vassāni cārihaṁ;

for seven years I wandered,

Nāhaṁ divā vā rattiṁ vā,

full of pain,

sukhaṁ vindiṁ sudukkhitā.

finding no happiness by day or night.

Tato rajjuṁ gahetvāna,

Taking a rope

pāvisiṁ vanamantaraṁ;

I entered deep into the forest, thinking:

Varaṁ me idha ubbandhaṁ,

“It’s better that I hang myself

yañca hīnaṁ punācare.

than I return to a lesser life.”

Daḷhapāsaṁ karitvāna,

I made a strong noose

rukkhasākhāya bandhiya;

and tied it to the branch of a tree.

Pakkhipiṁ pāsaṁ gīvāyaṁ,

Casting it round my neck,

atha cittaṁ vimucci me”ti.

my mind was freed.

… Sīhā therī ….