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Translators: sujato

Verses of the Senior Monks 4.1

Catukkanipāta
The Book of the Fours

Paṭhamavagga
Chapter One

Nāgasamālattheragāthā

Nāgasamāla

“Alaṅkatā suvasanā,
Adorned with jewelry and all dressed up,

mālinī candanussadā;
with garlands, and sandalwood makeup piled on,

Majjhe mahāpathe nārī,
along the main street is a lady—

tūriye naccati naṭṭakī.
a dancer dancing as the music plays.

Piṇḍikāya paviṭṭhohaṁ,
I entered for alms,

gacchanto naṁ udikkhisaṁ;
and while walking along I glanced at her,

Alaṅkataṁ suvasanaṁ,
adorned with jewelry and all dressed up,

maccupāsaṁva oḍḍitaṁ.
like a snare of death laid down.

Tato me manasīkāro,
Then the realization

yoniso udapajjatha;
came upon me—

Ādīnavo pāturahu,
the danger became clear,

nibbidā samatiṭṭhatha.
and I grew firmly disillusioned.

Tato cittaṁ vimucci me,
Then my mind was freed—

passa dhammasudhammataṁ;
see the excellence of the teaching!

Tisso vijjā anuppattā,
I’ve attained the three knowledges

kataṁ buddhassa sāsanan”ti.
and fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions.

… Nāgasamālo thero ….