SunītaSunītattheragāthā

I was born in a low-class family.“Nīce kulamhi jātohaṁ, We were poor, with little to eat.daliddo appabhojano; My job was lowly—Hīnakammaṁ mamaṁ āsi, I threw out the old flowers.ahosiṁ pupphachaḍḍako.

Shunned by people,Jigucchito manussānaṁ, I was disregarded and held in contempt.paribhūto ca vambhito; I humbled my heartNīcaṁ manaṁ karitvāna, and paid respects to many people.vandissaṁ bahukaṁ janaṁ.

Then I saw the BuddhaAthaddasāsiṁ sambuddhaṁ, at the fore of the mendicant Saṅgha.bhikkhusaṅghapurakkhataṁ; The great heroPavisantaṁ mahāvīraṁ, was entering the capital city of the Magadhans.magadhānaṁ puruttamaṁ.

I dropped my flailNikkhipitvāna byābhaṅgiṁ, and approached to pay homage.vandituṁ upasaṅkamiṁ; Out of sympathy for me,Mameva anukampāya, the supreme man stood still.aṭṭhāsi purisuttamo.

When I had paid homage at the Teacher’s feet,Vanditvā satthuno pāde, I stood to one sideekamantaṁ ṭhito tadā; and requested the going forthPabbajjaṁ ahamāyāciṁ, from the one supreme among all beings.sabbasattānamuttamaṁ.

Consequently, the Teacher, being compassionate,Tato kāruṇiko satthā, having sympathy for the whole world,sabbalokānukampako; said to me, “Come, monk!”‘Ehi bhikkhū’ti maṁ āha, That was my ordination.sā me āsūpasampadā.

Staying alone in the wilderness,Sohaṁ eko araññasmiṁ, meditating tirelessly,viharanto atandito; I have completed what the Teacher taught,Akāsiṁ satthu vacanaṁ, just as the victor advised me.yathā maṁ ovadī jino.

In the first watch of the night,Rattiyā paṭhamaṁ yāmaṁ, I recollected my past lives.Pubbajātimanussariṁ; In the middle watch,Rattiyā majjhimaṁ yāmaṁ, I purified my clairvoyance.Dibbacakkhuṁ visodhayiṁ; In the last watch,Rattiyā pacchime yāme, I shattered the mass of darkness.Tamokhandhaṁ padālayiṁ.

At the end of the night,Tato ratyā vivasāne, as the sunrise drew near,sūriyassuggamanaṁ pati; Indra and the Divinity cameIndo brahmā ca āgantvā, and revered me with joined hands.maṁ namassiṁsu pañjalī.

“Homage to you, O thoroughbred!‘Namo te purisājañña, Homage to you, supreme among men!namo te purisuttama; Since your defilements are ended,Yassa te āsavā khīṇā, you, good fellow, are worthy of a religious donation.”dakkhiṇeyyosi mārisa’.

Consequently, having seen me honoredTato disvāna maṁ satthā, by the assembly of gods,devasaṅghapurakkhataṁ; the Teacher smiledSitaṁ pātukaritvāna, and said the following:imamatthaṁ abhāsatha.

“By fervor and spiritual practice,‘Tapena brahmacariyena, by restraint and by self-control:saṁyamena damena ca; that’s how to become a brahmin,Etena brāhmaṇo hoti, this is the supreme brahmin.”etaṁ brāhmaṇamuttaman’”ti.