Verses of the Senior Nuns 5.3 The Book of the Fives Sīhā (THIG5.3)

1.1

“Ayoniso manasikārā,

Due to irrational application of mind,

1.2

kāmarāgena aṭṭitā;

I was racked by desire for pleasures of the senses.

1.3

Ahosiṁ uddhatā pubbe,

I was restless in the past,

1.4

citte avasavattinī.

lacking control over my mind.

2.1

Pariyuṭṭhitā klesehi,

Overcome by corruptions,

2.2

subhasaññānuvattinī;

pursuing perceptions of the beautiful,

2.3

Samaṁ cittassa na labhiṁ,

I gained no peace of mind.

2.4

rāgacittavasānugā.

Under the sway of lustful thoughts,

3.1

Kisā paṇḍu vivaṇṇā ca,

thin, pale, and wan,

3.2

satta vassāni cārihaṁ;

for seven years I wandered,

3.3

Nāhaṁ divā vā rattiṁ vā,

full of pain,

3.4

sukhaṁ vindiṁ sudukkhitā.

finding no happiness by day or night.

4.1

Tato rajjuṁ gahetvāna,

Taking a rope

4.2

pāvisiṁ vanamantaraṁ;

I entered deep into the forest, thinking:

4.3

Varaṁ me idha ubbandhaṁ,

“It’s better that I hang myself

4.4

yañca hīnaṁ punācare.

than I return to a lesser life.”

5.1

Daḷhapāsaṁ karitvāna,

I made a strong noose

5.2

rukkhasākhāya bandhiya;

and tied it to the branch of a tree.

5.3

Pakkhipiṁ pāsaṁ gīvāyaṁ,

Casting it round my neck,

5.4

atha cittaṁ vimucci me”ti.

my mind was freed.

6.1

… Sīhā therī ….