• Verses of the Senior Monks 2.16 Theragāthā 2.16
  • The Book of the Twos Dukanipāta
  • Chapter Two Dutiyavagga

Mahākāḷa Mahākāḷattheragāthā

There’s a big black woman who looks like a crow. “Kāḷī itthī brahatī dhaṅkarūpā, She broke off thigh-bones, first one then another; Satthiñca bhetvā aparañca satthiṁ; she broke off arm-bones, first one then another; Bāhañca bhetvā aparañca bāhaṁ, she broke off a skull like a curd-bowl, and then Sīsañca bhetvā dadhithālakaṁva; arranged them and sat nearby. Esā nisinnā abhisandahitvā.

When an ignorant person builds up attachments, Yo ve avidvā upadhiṁ karoti, that dullard returns to suffering again and again. Punappunaṁ dukkhamupeti mando; So let one who understands <j>not build up attachments: Tasmā pajānaṁ upadhiṁ na kayirā, may I never again lie with a broken skull! Māhaṁ puna bhinnasiro sayissan”ti.

… Mahākāḷo thero ….