sutta » kn » thag » Theragāthā 4.11

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 rose-apple 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 ….