Nanduttarātherīgāthā

Therīgāthā 5.5

Verses of the Senior Nuns 5.5

Pañcakanipāta

The Book of the Fives

Nanduttarātherīgāthā

Nanduttarā

“Aggiṁ candañca sūriyañca,

In the past I worshiped the sacred flame,

devatā ca namassihaṁ;

the moon, the sun, and the gods.

Nadītitthāni gantvāna,

Having gone to a river ford,

udakaṁ oruhāmihaṁ.

I plunged into the water.

Bahūvatasamādānā,

Undertaking many vows,

aḍḍhaṁ sīsassa olikhiṁ;

I shaved half my head.

Chamāya seyyaṁ kappemi,

Preparing a bed on the ground,

rattiṁ bhattaṁ na bhuñjahaṁ.

I ate no food at night.

Vibhūsāmaṇḍanaratā,

I loved my ornaments and decorations;

nhāpanucchādanehi ca;

and with baths and oil-massages,

Upakāsiṁ imaṁ kāyaṁ,

I pandered to this body,

kāmarāgena aṭṭitā.

racked by desire for pleasures of the senses.

Tato saddhaṁ labhitvāna,

But then I gained faith,

pabbajiṁ anagāriyaṁ;

and went forth to homelessness.

Disvā kāyaṁ yathābhūtaṁ,

Truly seeing the body,

kāmarāgo samūhato.

desire for sensual pleasure is eradicated.

Sabbe bhavā samucchinnā,

All rebirths are cut off,

icchā ca patthanāpi ca;

wishes and aspirations too.

Sabbayogavisaṁyuttā,

Unyoked from all yokes,

santiṁ pāpuṇi cetaso”ti.

I’ve found peace of mind.

… Nanduttarā therī ….