Ayoghara’s ConductAyogharacariya

“Then again when I was“Punāparaṁ yadā homi, the true-born son of the king of Kāsi,kāsirājassa atrajo; I grew up in an iron house,Ayogharamhi saṁvaḍḍho, so I was named Ayoghara.nāmenāsi ayogharo.

‘Your life has been a painful one,‘Dukkhena jīvito laddho, as you’ve been raised in confinement.saṁpīḷe patiposito; Today, my son, ruleAjjeva putta paṭipajja, the entirety of this land.’kevalaṁ vasudhaṁ imaṁ’.

Having bowed to the citizens of country and town,Saraṭṭhakaṁ sanigamaṁ, the king and his people,sajanaṁ vanditva khattiyaṁ; I raised my cupped palmsAñjaliṁ paggahetvāna, and said the following.idaṁ vacanamabraviṁ.

‘All the creatures of this earth—‘Ye keci mahiyā sattā, low, middle, or high—hīnamukkaṭṭhamajjhimā; are unprotected in their own home,Nirārakkhā sake gehe, in which they grew up with their families.vaḍḍhanti sakañātibhi.

It was unique in the worldIdaṁ loke uttariyaṁ, to be raised in confinement.saṁpīḷe mama posanaṁ; I grew up in an iron house,Ayogharamhi saṁvaḍḍho, scarcely lit by sun or moon.appabhe candasūriye.

Filled with rotting carcass,Pūtikuṇapasampuṇṇā, I escaped my mother’s womb.muccitvā mātukucchito; Then to a viler sufferingTato ghoratare dukkhe, I was tossed in an iron house.puna pakkhittayoghare.

Having fallen into suchYadihaṁ tādisaṁ patvā, appallingly dreadful suffering,dukkhaṁ paramadāruṇaṁ; if I desired kingships,Rajjesu yadi rajjāmi, I’d be the worst of the worst.pāpānaṁ uttamo siyaṁ.

I’m fed up with the body,Ukkaṇṭhitomhi kāyena, I have no need for kingship.rajjenamhi anatthiko; I shall seek quenchingNibbutiṁ pariyesissaṁ, where Death will not crush me.’yattha maṁ maccu na maddiye’.

Reflecting in this way,Evāhaṁ cintayitvāna, as the great crowd wailed,viravante mahājane; like a bull elephant bursting his ropes,Nāgova bandhanaṁ chetvā, I entered the forest grove.pāvisiṁ kānanaṁ vanaṁ.

I had no dislike of my parents,Mātāpitā na me dessā, nor did I dislike the great fame.napi me dessaṁ mahāyasaṁ; But because omniscience is precious to me,Sabbaññutaṁ piyaṁ mayhaṁ, that is why I forsook kingship.”tasmā rajjaṁ pariccajin”ti.