1.1“Punāparaṁ yadā homi,“Then again when I was¹1.2kāsīnaṁ puravaruttame;in the capital citadel of Kāsi,1.3Bhaginī ca bhātaro satta,a sister and seven brothers1.4nibbattā sotthiye kule.were born in a learned family.

2.1Etesaṁ pubbajo āsiṁ,I was the first-born of them all,2.2hirīsukkamupāgato;furnishing with pure conscience.2.3Bhavaṁ disvāna bhayato,Seeing rebirth as fearful,2.4nekkhammābhirato ahaṁ.I longed for renunciation.

3.1Mātāpitūhi pahitā,Sent for by my mother and father,3.2sahāyā ekamānasā;my friends with one mind3.3Kāmehi maṁ nimantenti,invited me to enjoy sensual pleasures, saying:3.4‘kulavaṁsaṁ dharehi’ti.‘Maintain the family lineage.’

4.1Yaṁ tesaṁ vacanaṁ vuttaṁ,The words they said4.2gihīdhamme sukhāvahaṁ;about the ways a householder can find happiness,4.3Taṁ me ahosi kaṭhinaṁ,were hard for me to hear,4.4tattaphālasamaṁ viya.like a heated ploughshare.

5.1Te maṁ tadā ukkhipantaṁ,When I turned down their proposal,5.2pucchiṁsu patthitaṁ mama;they asked me what I wished for:5.3‘Kiṁ tvaṁ patthayase samma,‘My dear, what is it that you wish,5.4yadi kāme na bhuñjasi’.since you do not long for sensual pleasures?’

6.1Tesāhaṁ evamavacaṁ,I spoke to my beneficiaries,6.2atthakāmo hitesinaṁ;wanting what is best.6.3‘Nāhaṁ patthemi gihībhāvaṁ,‘I wish not for the householder’s state,6.4nekkhammābhirato ahaṁ’.I long for renunciation.’

7.1Te mayhaṁ vacanaṁ sutvā,Hearing my words,7.2pitu mātu ca sāvayuṁ;they told my mother and father.7.3Mātāpitā evamāhu,My parents said this:7.4‘sabbeva pabbajāma bho’.‘Sirs, let all of us go forth!’

8.1Ubho mātāpitā mayhaṁ,So both my mother and father,²8.2bhaginī ca satta bhātaro;sister and seven brothers,8.3Amitadhanaṁ chaḍḍayitvā,discarding countless riches,8.4pāvisimhā mahāvanan”ti.entered the great forest.”³

9.1Bhisacariyaṁ catutthaṁ.