MahāpanthakaMahāpanthakattheragāthā

When I first saw the Teacher“Yadā paṭhamamaddakkhiṁ, who fears nothing from any quarter,satthāramakutobhayaṁ; I was struck with a sense of urgency,Tato me ahu saṁvego, seeing the supreme among men.passitvā purisuttamaṁ.

Anyone who, having found such a Teacher,Siriṁ hatthehi pādehi, would lose them again,yo paṇāmeyya āgataṁ; is like one who, when approached by Lady Luck,Etādisaṁ so satthāraṁ, would ward her off with their hands and feet.ārādhetvā virādhaye.

Then I left behind my children and wives,Tadāhaṁ puttadārañca, my riches and my grain;dhanadhaññañca chaḍḍayiṁ; I had my hair and beard cut off,Kesamassūni chedetvā, and went forth to homelessness.pabbajiṁ anagāriyaṁ.

Endowed with the monastic training and livelihood,Sikkhāsājīvasampanno, my sense faculties well-restrained,indriyesu susaṁvuto; paying homage to the Buddha,Namassamāno sambuddhaṁ, I meditated undefeated.vihāsiṁ aparājito.

Then a wish occurred to me,Tato me paṇidhī āsi, my heart’s truest wish:cetaso abhipatthito; I wouldn’t sit down, not even for a short while,Na nisīde muhuttampi, until the dart of craving was plucked.taṇhāsalle anūhate.

As I meditate like this,Tassa mevaṁ viharato, see my energy and vigor!passa vīriyaparakkamaṁ; I’ve attained the three knowledges,Tisso vijjā anuppattā, and fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions.kataṁ buddhassa sāsanaṁ.

I know my past lives,Pubbenivāsaṁ jānāmi, my clairvoyance is clarified;dibbacakkhu visodhitaṁ; I’m perfected, worthy of offerings,Arahā dakkhiṇeyyomhi, liberated, free of attachments.vippamutto nirūpadhi.

Then, at the end of the night,Tato ratyā vivasāne, as the rising of the sun drew near,sūriyuggamanaṁ pati; all craving was dried up,Sabbaṁ taṇhaṁ visosetvā, so I sat down cross-legged.pallaṅkena upāvisin”ti.