Sīsūpacālātherīgāthā

Therīgāthā 8.1

Verses of the Senior Nuns 8.1

Aṭṭhakanipāta

The Book of the Eights

Sīsūpacālātherīgāthā

Sīsūpacālā

“Bhikkhunī sīlasampannā,

“A nun accomplished in ethics,

indriyesu susaṁvutā;

her sense faculties well-restrained,

Adhigacche padaṁ santaṁ,

would realize the peaceful state,

asecanakamojavaṁ”.

so delectable and nutritious.”

“Tāvatiṁsā ca yāmā ca,

“There are the gods of the thirty-three,
and those of Yama;

tusitā cāpi devatā;

also the Joyful Deities,

Nimmānaratino devā,

the gods who love to create,

ye devā vasavattino;

and the gods who control what is created by others.

Tattha cittaṁ paṇīdhehi,

Set your heart on such places,

yattha te vusitaṁ pure”.

where you used to live.”

“Tāvatiṁsā ca yāmā ca,

“The gods of the thirty-three,
and those of Yama;

tusitā cāpi devatā;

also the Joyful Deities,

Nimmānaratino devā,

the gods who love to create,

ye devā vasavattino.

and the gods who control what is created by others—

Kālaṁ kālaṁ bhavābhavaṁ,

time after time, life after life,

sakkāyasmiṁ purakkhatā;

are governed by substantial reality.

Avītivattā sakkāyaṁ,

They haven’t passed beyond substantial reality,

jātimaraṇasārino.

those who transmigrate through birth and death.

Sabbo ādīpito loko,

All the world is on fire,

sabbo loko padīpito;

all the world is alight,

Sabbo pajjalito loko,

all the world is ablaze,

sabbo loko pakampito.

all the world is rocking.

Akampiyaṁ atuliyaṁ,

The Buddha taught me the Dhamma,

aputhujjanasevitaṁ;

unshakable, incomparable,

Buddho dhammamadesesi,

not frequented by ordinary people;

tattha me nirato mano.

my mind adores that place.

Tassāhaṁ vacanaṁ sutvā,

After hearing his words,

vihariṁ sāsane ratā;

I happily did his bidding.

Tisso vijjā anuppattā,

I’ve attained the three knowledges,

kataṁ buddhassa sāsanaṁ.

and fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions.

Sabbattha vihatā nandī,

Relishing is banished in every respect,

tamokhandho padālito;

and the mass of darkness is shattered.

Evaṁ jānāhi pāpima,

So know this, Wicked One:

nihato tvamasi antaka”.

you’re beaten, terminator!”

… Sīsūpacālā therī ….

Aṭṭhakanipāto niṭṭhito.