Theragāthā 11.1
Translators: sujato
Verses of the Senior Monks 11.1
Ekādasakanipāta
The Book of the Elevens
Paṭhamavagga
Chapter One
Saṅkiccattheragāthā
Saṅkicca
“Kiṁ tavattho vane tāta,
“What good does it do you to be in the grove, my dear?
ujjuhānova pāvuse;
You’re like a little bird in the rain!
Verambhā ramaṇīyā te,
The city of Verambhā is nice for you—
paviveko hi jhāyinaṁ”.
seclusion is for meditators.”
“Yathā abbhāni verambho,
“Just as the wind in Verambhā
vāto nudati pāvuse;
scatters the clouds as they pour down,
Saññā me abhikiranti,
so the city scatters
vivekapaṭisaññutā.
my perception of seclusion.”
Apaṇḍaro aṇḍasambhavo,
“It’s all black and born of an egg—
Sīvathikāya niketacāriko;
the crow that lives in the charnel ground
Uppādayateva me satiṁ,
rouses my mindfulness,
Sandehasmiṁ virāganissitaṁ.
based on dispassion for the body.
Yañca aññe na rakkhanti,
Not protected by others,
yo ca aññe na rakkhati;
nor protecting others:
Sa ve bhikkhu sukhaṁ seti,
such a monk sleeps at ease,
kāmesu anapekkhavā.
without concern for sensual pleasures.
Acchodikā puthusilā,
The water’s clear and the rocks are broad,
gonaṅgulamigāyutā;
monkeys and deer are all around;
Ambusevālasañchannā,
festooned with dewy moss,
te selā ramayanti maṁ.
these rocky crags delight me!
Vasitaṁ me araññesu,
I’ve stayed in the wilderness,
kandarāsu guhāsu ca;
in caves and caverns
Senāsanesu pantesu,
and remote lodgings
vāḷamiganisevite.
frequented by beasts of prey.
‘Ime haññantu vajjhantu,
‘May these beings be killed!
dukkhaṁ pappontu pāṇino’;
May they be slaughtered! May they suffer!’—
Saṅkappaṁ nābhijānāmi,
I’m not aware of having any such
anariyaṁ dosasaṁhitaṁ.
ignoble, malicious intentions.
Pariciṇṇo mayā satthā,
I’ve served the teacher
kataṁ buddhassa sāsanaṁ;
and fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions.
Ohito garuko bhāro,
The heavy burden is laid down,
bhavanetti samūhatā.
the conduit to rebirth is eradicated.
Yassa catthāya pabbajito,
I’ve attained the goal
agārasmānagāriyaṁ;
for the sake of which I went forth
So me attho anuppatto,
from the lay life to homelessness—
sabbasaṁyojanakkhayo.
the ending of all fetters.
Nābhinandāmi maraṇaṁ,
I don’t long for death;
nābhinandāmi jīvitaṁ;
I don’t long for life;
Kālañca paṭikaṅkhāmi,
I await my time,
nibbisaṁ bhatako yathā.
like a worker waiting for their wages.
Nābhinandāmi maraṇaṁ,
I don’t long for death;
nābhinandāmi jīvitaṁ;
I don’t long for life;
Kālañca paṭikaṅkhāmi,
I await my time,
sampajāno patissato”ti.
aware and mindful.”
… Saṅkicco thero …
Ekādasakanipāto niṭṭhito.
Tatruddānaṁ
Saṅkiccathero ekova,
katakicco anāsavo;
Ekādasanipātamhi,
gāthā ekādaseva cāti.