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Translators: sujato and soma

Verses of the Senior Nuns 9.1 Verses of the Elder Bhikkhunīs

Navakanipāta
The Book of the Nines
Chapter of the Nines

Vaḍḍhamātutherīgāthā

Vaḍḍha’s Mother Verses of the Elder Vaḍḍha’s Mother

“Mā su te vaḍḍha lokamhi,
“Vaḍḍha, please never ever
“Vaḍḍha, do not get caught

vanatho āhu kudācanaṁ;
get entangled in the world.
in the endless thicket of the world.

Mā puttaka punappunaṁ,
My child, do not partake
Oh little child, do not take part in suffering

ahu dukkhassa bhāgimā.
in suffering again and again.
again and again.

Sukhañhi vaḍḍha munayo,
For happy dwell the sages, Vaḍḍha,
Vaḍḍha, the sages dwell easily,

anejā chinnasaṁsayā;
unstirred, their doubts cut off,
carefree and free from doubt.

Sītibhūtā damappattā,
cooled and tamed,
They have become cool and tamed,

viharanti anāsavā.
and free of defilements.
and abide free from influences.

Tehānuciṇṇaṁ isībhi,
Vaḍḍha, foster the path
That path walked by the seers

maggaṁ dassanapattiyā;
that the seers have walked,
who have attained vision,

Dukkhassantakiriyāya,
for the attainment of vision,
leading to the end of suffering:

tvaṁ vaḍḍha anubrūhaya”.
and for making an end of suffering.”
Vaḍḍha, devote yourself to that!”

“Visāradāva bhaṇasi,
“Mother, you speak with such assurance
“Mother, you speak

etamatthaṁ janetti me;
to me on this matter.
from a place of self-confidence.

Maññāmi nūna māmike,
My dear mom, I can’t help thinking
I suspect, mom,

vanatho te na vijjati”.
that no entanglements are found in you.”
there is no thicket to be found in you.”

“Ye keci vaḍḍha saṅkhārā,
“Vaḍḍha, not a jot or a skerrick
“Vaḍḍha, not even the slightest thicket,

hīnā ukkaṭṭhamajjhimā;
of entanglement is found in me
based on any conditions,

Aṇūpi aṇumattopi,
for any conditions at all,
whether inferior, superior, or in the middle,

vanatho me na vijjati.
whether low, high, or middling.
can be found in me.

Sabbe me āsavā khīṇā,
All defilements are ended for me,
I have destroyed all influences

appamattassa jhāyato;
meditating and diligent.
by meditating with heedfulness.

Tisso vijjā anuppattā,
I’ve attained the three knowledges
I obtained the three knowledges,

kataṁ buddhassa sāsanaṁ”.
and fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions.”
and completed the teaching of the Buddha.”

“Uḷāraṁ vata me mātā,
“Oh so excellent was the goad
“Surely, my mother

patodaṁ samavassari;
my mother spurred me with!
spurred me with a noble goad,

Paramatthasañhitā gāthā,
Owing to her compassion, she spoke
with these compassionate verses,

yathāpi anukampikā.
verses on the ultimate goal.
of the highest benefit.

Tassāhaṁ vacanaṁ sutvā,
On hearing her words,
After I heard her words,

anusiṭṭhiṁ janettiyā;
advised by my mother,
instructed by my mother,

Dhammasaṁvegamāpādiṁ,
I was struck with righteous urgency
I was met with a sense of urgency to practice the Dhamma

yogakkhemassa pattiyā.
for the sake of sanctuary from the yoke.
for the attainment of safety from bondage.

Sohaṁ padhānapahitatto,
Striving, resolute,
With a mind bent upon striving,

rattindivamatandito;
tireless all day and night,
active by day and by night,

Mātarā codito santo,
urged on by my mother,
being exhorted by my mother,

aphusiṁ santimuttamaṁ”.
I realized supreme peace.
I touched the highest peace.”

… Vaḍḍhamātā therī ….
… The Elder Vaḍḍha’s Mother

Navakanipāto niṭṭhito.
The Chapter of the Nines is finished.