Theragāthā 4.11
Translators: sujato
Verses of the Senior Monks 4.11
Catukkanipāta
The Book of the Fours
Paṭhamavagga
Chapter One
Sappakattheragāthā
Sappaka
“Yadā balākā sucipaṇḍaracchadā,
When the crane with its beautiful white wings,
Kāḷassa meghassa bhayena tajjitā;
startled by fear of the dark thundercloud,
Palehiti ālayamālayesinī,
flees, seeking shelter—
Tadā nadī ajakaraṇī rameti maṁ.
then the River Ajakaraṇī delights me.
Yadā balākā suvisuddhapaṇḍarā,
When the crane, so pure and white,
Kāḷassa meghassa bhayena tajjitā;
startled by fear of the dark thundercloud,
Pariyesati leṇamaleṇadassinī,
seeks a cave to shelter in, but can’t see one—
Tadā nadī ajakaraṇī rameti maṁ.
then the River Ajakaraṇī delights me.
Kaṁ nu tattha na ramenti,
Who wouldn’t be delighted
jambuyo ubhato tahiṁ;
by the black plum trees
Sobhenti āpagākūlaṁ,
that adorn both banks of the river,
mama leṇassa pacchato.
there, behind my cave?
Tāmatamadasaṅghasuppahīnā,
Rid of snakes, that death-mad swarm,
Bhekā mandavatī panādayanti;
the lazy frogs croak:
‘Nājja girinadīhi vippavāsasamayo,
“Today isn’t the time to stray from mountain streams;
Khemā ajakaraṇī sivā surammā’”ti.
Ajakaraṇī is safe, pleasant, and delightful.”
… Sappako thero ….