Vaḍḍhamātutherīgāthā

Therīgāthā 9.1

Verses of the Senior Nuns 9.1

Navakanipāta

The Book of the Nines

Vaḍḍhamātutherīgāthā

Vaḍḍha’s Mother

“Mā su te vaḍḍha lokamhi,

“Vaḍḍha, please never ever

vanatho āhu kudācanaṁ;

get snarled in the world.

Mā puttaka punappunaṁ,

My child, do not partake

ahu dukkhassa bhāgimā.

in suffering again and again.

Sukhañhi vaḍḍha munayo,

For happy dwell the sages, Vaḍḍha,

anejā chinnasaṁsayā;

unstirred, their doubts cut off,

Sītibhūtā damappattā,

cooled and tamed,

viharanti anāsavā.

and free of defilements.

Tehānuciṇṇaṁ isībhi,

Vaḍḍha, foster the path

maggaṁ dassanapattiyā;

that the seers have walked,

Dukkhassantakiriyāya,

for the attainment of vision,

tvaṁ vaḍḍha anubrūhaya”.

and for making an end of suffering.”

“Visāradāva bhaṇasi,

“Mother, you speak with such assurance

etamatthaṁ janetti me;

to me on this matter.

Maññāmi nūna māmike,

My dear mom, I can’t help thinking

vanatho te na vijjati”.

that no snarls are found in you.”

“Ye keci vaḍḍha saṅkhārā,

“Vaḍḍha, not a jot or a skerrick

hīnā ukkaṭṭhamajjhimā;

of snarl is found in me

Aṇūpi aṇumattopi,

for any conditions at all,

vanatho me na vijjati.

whether low, high, or middling.

Sabbe me āsavā khīṇā,

All defilements are ended for me,

appamattassa jhāyato;

meditating and diligent.

Tisso vijjā anuppattā,

I’ve attained the three knowledges

kataṁ buddhassa sāsanaṁ”.

and fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions.”

“Uḷāraṁ vata me mātā,

“Oh so excellent was the goad

patodaṁ samavassari;

my mother spurred me with!

Paramatthasañhitā gāthā,

Owing to her compassion, she spoke

yathāpi anukampikā.

verses on the ultimate goal.

Tassāhaṁ vacanaṁ sutvā,

On hearing her words,

anusiṭṭhiṁ janettiyā;

advised by my mother,

Dhammasaṁvegamāpādiṁ,

I was struck with righteous urgency

yogakkhemassa pattiyā.

for the sake of sanctuary from the yoke.

Sohaṁ padhānapahitatto,

Striving, resolute,

rattindivamatandito;

tireless all day and night,

Mātarā codito santo,

urged on by my mother,

aphusiṁ santimuttamaṁ”.

I realized supreme peace.

… Vaḍḍhamātā therī ….

Navakanipāto niṭṭhito.