Theragāthā 2.16
Translators: sujato
Verses of the Senior Monks 2.16
Dukanipāta
The Book of the Twos
Dutiyavagga
Chapter Two
Mahākāḷattheragāthā
Mahākāḷa
“Kāḷī itthī brahatī dhaṅkarūpā,
There’s a big black woman who looks like a crow.
Satthiñca bhetvā aparañca satthiṁ;
She broke off thigh-bones, first one then another;
Bāhañca bhetvā aparañca bāhaṁ,
she broke off arm-bones, first one then another;
Sīsañca bhetvā dadhithālakaṁva;
she broke off a skull like a curd-bowl, and then
Esā nisinnā abhisandahitvā.
arranged them and sat nearby.
Yo ve avidvā upadhiṁ karoti,
When an ignorant person builds up attachments,
Punappunaṁ dukkhamupeti mando;
that dullard returns to suffering again and again.
Tasmā pajānaṁ upadhiṁ na kayirā,
So let one who understands <j>not build up attachments:
Māhaṁ puna bhinnasiro sayissan”ti.
may I never again lie with a broken skull!
… Mahākāḷo thero ….