SappadāsaSappadāsattheragāthā

In the twenty-five years“Paṇṇavīsativassāni, since I went forth,yato pabbajito ahaṁ; I have not found peace of mind,Accharāsaṅghātamattampi, even as long as a finger-snap.cetosantimanajjhagaṁ.

Since I couldn’t get my mind unified,Aladdhā cittassekaggaṁ, I was racked by desire for pleasures of the senses.kāmarāgena aṭṭito; Wailing, with outstretched arms,Bāhā paggayha kandanto, I left my dwelling.vihārā upanikkhamiṁ.

Or shall I commit suicide?Satthaṁ vā āharissāmi, What’s the point of living?Ko attho jīvitena me; For how on earth can one such as me dieKathaṁ hi sikkhaṁ paccakkhaṁ, after resigning the training?Kālaṁ kubbetha mādiso.

Then I picked up a razor,Tadāhaṁ khuramādāya, I sat on a cot:mañcakamhi upāvisiṁ; the razor was readyParinīto khuro āsi, to slice my vein.dhamaniṁ chettumattano.

Then the realizationTato me manasīkāro, came upon me—yoniso udapajjatha; the danger became clear,Ādīnavo pāturahu, and I was firmly disillusioned.nibbidā samatiṭṭhatha.

Then my mind was freed—Tato cittaṁ vimucci me, behold the clear rightness of the teaching!passa dhammasudhammataṁ; I’ve attained the three knowledges,Tisso vijjā anuppattā, and fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions.kataṁ buddhassa sāsanan”ti.