• Verses of the Senior Nuns 5.2 Therīgāthā 5.2
  • The Book of the Fives Pañcakanipāta

Vimalā, the Former Courtesan Vimalātherīgāthā

Intoxicated by my appearance, “Mattā vaṇṇena rūpena, my figure, my beauty, my fame, sobhaggena yasena ca; and owing to my youth, Yobbanena cupatthaddhā, I looked down on others. aññāsamatimaññihaṁ.

I adorned this body Vibhūsetvā imaṁ kāyaṁ, all pretty, lamented by fools, sucittaṁ bālalāpanaṁ; and stood at the brothel door, Aṭṭhāsiṁ vesidvāramhi, like a hunter laying a snare. luddo pāsamivoḍḍiya.

I stripped for them, Piḷandhanaṁ vidaṁsentī, revealing my many hidden treasures. guyhaṁ pakāsikaṁ bahuṁ; Creating an intricate illusion, Akāsiṁ vividhaṁ māyaṁ, I laughed, teasing those men. ujjagghantī bahuṁ janaṁ.

Today, having wandered for alms, Sājja piṇḍaṁ caritvāna, my head shaven, wearing the outer robe, muṇḍā saṅghāṭipārutā; I sat at the root of a tree to meditate; Nisinnā rukkhamūlamhi, I’ve gained freedom from thought. avitakkassa lābhinī.

All yokes are severed, Sabbe yogā samucchinnā, both human and heavenly. ye dibbā ye ca mānusā; Having wiped out all defilements, Khepetvā āsave sabbe, I have become cooled and quenched. sītibhūtāmhi nibbutā”ti.

… Vimalā purāṇagaṇikā therī ….