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Khuddaka Nikāya - The Minor Texts

Therigatha - The Verses of the Elder Nuns

Chapter 9: The Book of the Nines

Vaḍḍha’s Mother

204 “Vaḍḍha, please never ever
get entangled in the world.
My child, do not partake
in suffering again and again.

205 For happy dwell the sages, Vaḍḍha,
unstirred, their doubts cut off,
cooled and tamed,
and free of defilements.

206 Vaḍḍha, foster the path
that the hermits have walked,
for the attainment of vision,
and for making an end of suffering.”

207 “Mother, you speak with such assurance
to me on this matter.
My dear mom, I can’t help thinking
that no entanglements are found in you.”

208 “Vaḍḍha, not a jot or a skerrick
of entanglement is found in me
for any conditions at all,
whether low, high, or middling.

209 All defilements are ended for me,
meditating and diligent.
I’ve attained the three knowledges
and fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions.”

210 “Oh so excellent was the goad
my mother spurred me with!
Owing to her compassion, she spoke
verses on the ultimate goal.

211 On hearing her words,
advised by my mother,
I was struck with righteous urgency
for the sake of finding sanctuary.

212 Striving, resolute,
tireless all day and night,
urged on by my mother,
I realized supreme peace.


Vaḍḍhamātutherīgāthā

204p_19Th2_274"Mā su te vaḍḍha lokamhi,
vanatho āhu kudācanaṁ;
Mā puttaka punappunaṁ,
ahu dukkhassa bhāgimā.

205 p_19Th2_275Sukhañhi vaḍḍha munayo,
anejā chinnasaṁsayā;
Sītibhūtā damappattā,
viharanti anāsavā.

206p_19Th2_276Tehānuciṇṇaṁ isībhi,
maggaṁ dassanapattiyā;
Dukkhassantakiriyāya,
tvaṁ vaḍḍha anubrūhaya".

207p_19Th2_277"Visāradāva bhaṇasi,
etamatthaṁ janetti me;
Maññāmi nūna māmike,
vanatho te na vijjati".

208p_19Th2_278"Ye keci vaḍḍha saṅkhārā,
hīnā ukkaṭṭhamajjhimā;
Aṇūpi aṇumattopi,
vanatho me na vijjati.

209p_19Th2_279Sabbe me āsavā khīṇā,
appamattassa jhāyato;
Tisso vijjā anuppattā,
kataṁ buddhassa sāsanaṁ".

210p_19Th2_280"Uḷāraṁ vata me mātā,
patodaṁ samavassari;
Paramatthasañhitā gāthā,
yathāpi anukampikā.

211p_19Th2_281Tassāhaṁ vacanaṁ sutvā,
anusiṭṭhiṁ janettiyā;
Dhammasaṁvegamāpādiṁ,
yogakkhemassa pattiyā.

212p_19Th2_282Sohaṁ padhānapahitatto,
rattindivamatandito;
Mātarā codito santo,
aphusiṁ santimuttamaṁ".