Vimalātherīgāthā

Therīgāthā 5.2

Verses of the Senior Nuns 5.2

Pañcakanipāta

The Book of the Fives

Vimalātherīgāthā

Vimalā, the Former Courtesan

“Mattā vaṇṇena rūpena,

Intoxicated by my appearance,

sobhaggena yasena ca;

my figure, my beauty, my fame,

Yobbanena cupatthaddhā,

and owing to my youth,

aññāsamatimaññihaṁ.

I looked down on others.

Vibhūsetvā imaṁ kāyaṁ,

I adorned this body

sucittaṁ bālalāpanaṁ;

all pretty, lamented by fools,

Aṭṭhāsiṁ vesidvāramhi,

and stood at the brothel door,

luddo pāsamivoḍḍiya.

like a hunter setting a snare.

Piḷandhanaṁ vidaṁsentī,

I stripped for them,

guyhaṁ pakāsikaṁ bahuṁ;

revealing my many hidden treasures.

Akāsiṁ vividhaṁ māyaṁ,

Creating an intricate illusion,

ujjagghantī bahuṁ janaṁ.

I laughed, teasing those men.

Sājja piṇḍaṁ caritvāna,

Today, having wandered for alms,

muṇḍā saṅghāṭipārutā;

my head shaven, wearing the outer robe,

Nisinnā rukkhamūlamhi,

I sat at the root of a tree to meditate;

avitakkassa lābhinī.

I’ve gained freedom from thought.

Sabbe yogā samucchinnā,

All yokes are severed,

ye dibbā ye ca mānusā;

both human and heavenly.

Khepetvā āsave sabbe,

Having wiped out all defilements,

sītibhūtāmhi nibbutā”ti.

I have become cooled and quenched.

… Vimalā purāṇagaṇikā therī ….