Theragāthā 6.6
Translators: sujato
Verses of the Senior Monks 6.6
Chakkanipāta
The Book of the Sixes
Paṭhamavagga
Chapter One
Sappadāsattheragāthā
Sappadāsa
“Paṇṇavīsativassāni,
In the twenty-five years
yato pabbajito ahaṁ;
since I went forth,
Accharāsaṅghātamattampi,
I have not found peace of mind,
cetosantimanajjhagaṁ.
even as long as a finger-snap.
Aladdhā cittassekaggaṁ,
Since I couldn’t get my mind unified,
kāmarāgena aṭṭito;
I was racked by desire for pleasures of the senses.
Bāhā paggayha kandanto,
Wailing, with outstretched arms,
vihārā upanikkhamiṁ.
I left my dwelling.
Satthaṁ vā āharissāmi,
Shall I … or shall I take my life?
Ko attho jīvitena me;
What’s the point of living?
Kathaṁ hi sikkhaṁ paccakkhaṁ,
For how on earth can one such as me die
Kālaṁ kubbetha mādiso.
after resigning the training?
Tadāhaṁ khuramādāya,
Then I picked up a razor,
mañcakamhi upāvisiṁ;
I sat on a cot:
Parinīto khuro āsi,
the razor was ready
dhamaniṁ chettumattano.
to slice my vein.
Tato me manasīkāro,
Then the realization
yoniso udapajjatha;
came upon me—
Ādīnavo pāturahu,
the danger became clear,
nibbidā samatiṭṭhatha.
and I was 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.
… Sappadāso thero ….