Uttarātherīgāthā

Therīgāthā 7.1

Verses of the Senior Nuns 7.1

Sattakanipāta

The Book of the Sevens

Uttarātherīgāthā

Uttarā (2nd)

“Musalāni gahetvāna,

“Taking a pestle,

dhaññaṁ koṭṭenti māṇavā;

young men pound grain.

Puttadārāni posentā,

Providing for partners and children,

dhanaṁ vindanti māṇavā.

young men acquire wealth.

Ghaṭetha buddhasāsane,

Work at the Buddha’s bidding,

yaṁ katvā nānutappati;

you won’t regret it.

Khippaṁ pādāni dhovitvā,

Having quickly washed your feet,

ekamantaṁ nisīdatha.

sit in a discreet place to meditate.

Cittaṁ upaṭṭhapetvāna,

Establish the mind,

ekaggaṁ susamāhitaṁ;

unified and serene.

Paccavekkhatha saṅkhāre,

Examine conditions

parato no ca attato”.

as alien, not as self.”

“Tassāhaṁ vacanaṁ sutvā,

“After hearing her words,

paṭācārānusāsaniṁ;

the instructions of Paṭācārā,

Pāde pakkhālayitvāna,

I washed my feet

ekamante upāvisiṁ.

and retired to a discreet place.

Rattiyā purime yāme,

In the first watch of the night,

pubbajātimanussariṁ;

I recollected my past lives.

Rattiyā majjhime yāme,

In the middle watch of the night,

dibbacakkhuṁ visodhayiṁ.

I purified my clairvoyance.

Rattiyā pacchime yāme,

In the last watch of the night,

tamokhandhaṁ padālayiṁ;

I shattered the mass of darkness.

Tevijjā atha vuṭṭhāsiṁ,

I rose up master of the three knowledges:

katā te anusāsanī.

your bidding has been done.

Sakkaṁva devā tidasā,

I shall abide honoring you

saṅgāme aparājitaṁ;

as the Thirty gods honor Sakka,

Purakkhatvā vihassāmi,

undefeated in battle.

tevijjāmhi anāsavā”.

Master of the three knowledges,
I am free of defilements.”

… Uttarā therī ….