1.1“Kadā nuhaṁ pabbatakandarāsu,Oh, when will I stay in a mountain cave,1.2Ekākiyo addutiyo vihassaṁ;alone, with no companion,1.3Aniccato sabbabhavaṁ vipassaṁ,discerning all states of existence as impermanent?1.4Taṁ me idaṁ taṁ nu kadā bhavissati.This hope of mine, <j>when will it be?

2.1Kadā nuhaṁ bhinnapaṭandharo muni,Oh, when will I stay happily in the forest,2.2Kāsāvavattho amamo nirāso;a sage wearing a torn robe, dressed in ocher,2.3Rāgañca dosañca tatheva mohaṁ,unselfish, with no need for hope,2.4Hantvā sukhī pavanagato vihassaṁ.with greed, hate, and delusion destroyed?

3.1Kadā aniccaṁ vadharoganīḷaṁ,Oh, when will I stay alone in the wood,3.2Kāyaṁ imaṁ maccujarāyupaddutaṁ;fearless, discerning this body as impermanent,3.3Vipassamāno vītabhayo vihassaṁ,a nest of death and disease,3.4Eko vane taṁ nu kadā bhavissati.harried by death and old age; when will it be?

4.1Kadā nuhaṁ bhayajananiṁ dukhāvahaṁ,Oh, when will I live, <j>having grasped the sharp sword of wisdom4.2Taṇhālataṁ bahuvidhānuvattaniṁ;and cut the creeper of craving <j>that tangles around everything,4.3Paññāmayaṁ tikhiṇamasiṁ gahetvā,the mother of fear, the bringer of suffering?4.4Chetvā vase tampi kadā bhavissati.When will it be?

5.1Kadā nu paññāmayamuggatejaṁ,Oh, when will I, seated on the lion’s throne,5.2Satthaṁ isīnaṁ sahasādiyitvā;swiftly grasp the sword of the seers,5.3Māraṁ sasenaṁ sahasā bhañjissaṁ,forged by wisdom, of awesome might,5.4Sīhāsane taṁ nu kadā bhavissati.and swiftly break Māra and his army? <j>When will it be?

6.1Kadā nuhaṁ sabbhi samāgamesu,Oh, when will I be seen in the assemblies6.2Diṭṭho bhave dhammagarūhi tādibhi;with those who are virtuous, unaffected, <j>respecting the Dhamma,6.3Yāthāvadassīhi jitindriyehi,seeing things as they are, with faculties subdued?6.4Padhāniyo taṁ nu kadā bhavissati.When will it be?

7.1Kadā nu maṁ tandi khudā pipāsā,Oh, when will I focus on my heart’s goal <j>in the Mountainfold,7.2Vātātapā kīṭasarīsapā vā;free of oppression by laziness, hunger, thirst,7.3Na bādhayissanti na taṁ giribbaje,wind, heat, bugs, and reptiles?7.4Atthatthiyaṁ taṁ nu kadā bhavissati.When will it be?

8.1Kadā nu kho yaṁ viditaṁ mahesinā,Oh, when will I, serene and mindful,8.2Cattāri saccāni sududdasāni;understand the four truths,8.3Samāhitatto satimā agacchaṁ,that were realized by the great seer,8.4Paññāya taṁ taṁ nu kadā bhavissati.and are so very hard to see? <j>When will it be?

9.1Kadā nu rūpe amite ca sadde,Oh, when will I, devoted to serenity,9.2Gandhe rase phusitabbe ca dhamme;see with understanding the infinite sights,9.3Ādittatohaṁ samathehi yutto,sounds, smells, tastes, touches, and ideas9.4Paññāya dacchaṁ tadidaṁ kadā me.as burning? <j>When will it be?

10.1Kadā nuhaṁ dubbacanena vutto,Oh, when will I not be distraught10.2Tato nimittaṁ vimano na hessaṁ;because of criticism,10.3Atho pasatthopi tato nimittaṁ,nor elated because of praise?10.4Tuṭṭho na hessaṁ tadidaṁ kadā me.When will it be?

11.1Kadā nu kaṭṭhe ca tiṇe latā ca,Oh, when will I discern the aggregates11.2Khandhe imehaṁ amite ca dhamme;and the infinite varieties of phenomena,11.3Ajjhattikāneva ca bāhirāni ca,those interior and exterior, as no more than11.4Samaṁ tuleyyaṁ tadidaṁ kadā me.wood, grass, and creepers? <j>When will it be?

12.1Kadā nu maṁ pāvusakālamegho,Oh, when will the monsoon clouds in season12.2Navena toyena sacīvaraṁ vane;freshly wet me in my robe in the forest,12.3Isippayātamhi pathe vajantaṁ,walking the path trodden by the seers?12.4Ovassate taṁ nu kadā bhavissati.When will it be?

13.1Kadā mayūrassa sikhaṇḍino vane,Oh, when will I rise up, <j>intent on attaining freedom from death,13.2Dijassa sutvā girigabbhare rutaṁ;hearing, in the mountain cave,13.3Paccuṭṭhahitvā amatassa pattiyā,the cry of the crested peacock in the forest?13.4Sañcintaye taṁ nu kadā bhavissati.When will it be?

14.1Kadā nu gaṅgaṁ yamunaṁ sarassatiṁ,Oh, when will I cross by psychic power unobstructed14.2Pātālakhittaṁ vaḷavāmukhañca;the Ganges, Yamunā, and Sarasvatī;14.3Asajjamāno patareyyamiddhiyā,and that place where one is thrown in the abyss,¹14.4Vibhiṁsanaṁ taṁ nu kadā bhavissati.the horrifying Mare’s Mouth? When will it be?

15.1Kadā nu nāgova asaṅgacārī,Oh, when will I be devoted to absorption,15.2Padālaye kāmaguṇesu chandaṁ;shunning all the signs of beauty,15.3Nibbajjayaṁ sabbasubhaṁ nimittaṁ,splitting apart desire for sensual stimulation,15.4Jhāne yuto taṁ nu kadā bhavissati.like an elephant that wanders free of ties? <j>When will it be?

16.1Kadā iṇaṭṭova daliddako nidhiṁ,Oh, when will I realize the teaching of the great seer16.2Ārādhayitvā dhanikehi pīḷito;and be content, like a pauper in debt16.3Tuṭṭho bhavissaṁ adhigamma sāsanaṁ,harassed by creditors, who finds a hidden treasure?16.4Mahesino taṁ nu kadā bhavissati.When will it be?

17.1Bahūni vassāni tayāmhi yācito,For many years you begged me,17.2‘Agāravāsena alaṁ nu te idaṁ’;“Enough of living in a house for you!”17.3Taṁ dāni maṁ pabbajitaṁ samānaṁ,Why do you not urge me on, mind,17.4Kiṅkāraṇā citta tuvaṁ na yuñjasi.now that I’ve gone forth as an ascetic?

18.1Nanu ahaṁ citta tayāmhi yācito,Didn’t you entice me, mind:18.2‘Giribbaje citrachadā vihaṅgamā’;“In the Mountainfold, the birds with colorful wings,18.3Mahindaghosatthanitābhigajjino,greeting the thunder, Mahinda’s voice,²18.4Te taṁ ramessanti vanamhi jhāyinaṁ.will delight you as you meditate in the forest?”

19.1Kulamhi mitte ca piye ca ñātake,In my family circle, friends, loved ones, and relatives;19.2Khiḍḍāratiṁ kāmaguṇañca loke;and in the world, sports and play, <j>and sensual pleasures;19.3Sabbaṁ pahāya imamajjhupāgato,all these I gave up when I entered this life:19.4Athopi tvaṁ citta na mayha tussasi.and even then you’re not content with me, mind!

20.1Mameva etaṁ na hi tvaṁ paresaṁ,This is mine alone, it doesn’t belong to others;20.2Sannāhakāle paridevitena kiṁ;when it is time to don your armor, why lament?20.3Sabbaṁ idaṁ calamiti pekkhamāno,Observing that all this is unstable,20.4Abhinikkhamiṁ amatapadaṁ jigīsaṁ.I went forth, seeking the state free of death.

21.1Suyuttavādī dvipadānamuttamo,He whose words are well-composed, <j>supreme among people,21.2Mahābhisakko naradammasārathi;great physician, <j>guide for those fit to train, said:21.3‘Cittaṁ calaṁ makkaṭasannibhaṁ iti,“The mind fidgets like a monkey,21.4Avītarāgena sudunnivārayaṁ’.so it’s very hard to control if you are not free of lust.”

22.1Kāmā hi citrā madhurā manoramā,Sensual pleasures are diverse, sweet, delightful;22.2Aviddasū yattha sitā puthujjanā;an ignorant ordinary person is bound to them.22.3Te dukkhamicchanti punabbhavesino,Seeking to be reborn again, they wish for suffering;22.4Cittena nītā niraye nirākatā.led on by their mind, they’re banished to hell.

23.1‘Mayūrakoñcābhirutamhi kānane,“Staying in the grove resounding with cries23.2Dīpīhi byagghehi purakkhato vasaṁ;of peacocks and herons, <j>and adorned by leopards and tigers,23.3Kāye apekkhaṁ jaha mā virādhaya’,abandon concern for the body, without fail!”23.4Itissu maṁ citta pure niyuñjasi.So you used to urge me, mind.

24.1‘Bhāvehi jhānāni ca indriyāni ca,“Develop the absorptions and spiritual faculties,24.2Balāni bojjhaṅgasamādhibhāvanā;the powers, awakening factors, and immersion;24.3Tisso ca vijjā phusa buddhasāsane’,realize the three knowledges <j>in the teaching of the Buddha!”24.4Itissu maṁ citta pure niyuñjasi.So you used to urge me, mind.

25.1‘Bhāvehi maggaṁ amatassa pattiyā,“Develop the eightfold path <j>to realize freedom from death25.2Niyyānikaṁ sabbadukhakkhayogadhaṁ;emancipating, its objective being <j>the end of all suffering,25.3Aṭṭhaṅgikaṁ sabbakilesasodhanaṁ’,and cleansing all defilements!”25.4Itissu maṁ citta pure niyuñjasi.So you used to urge me, mind.

26.1‘Dukkhanti khandhe paṭipassa yoniso,“Reflect rationally on the aggregates as suffering,26.2Yato ca dukkhaṁ samudeti taṁ jaha;and abandon that from which suffering arises;26.3Idheva dukkhassa karohi antaṁ’,make an end of suffering in this very life!”26.4Itissu maṁ citta pure niyuñjasi.So you used to urge me, mind.

27.1‘Aniccaṁ dukkhanti vipassa yoniso,“Rationally discern that impermanence is suffering,27.2Suññaṁ anattāti aghaṁ vadhanti ca;that emptiness is non-self, and that gloom is death.27.3Manovicāre uparundha cetaso’,Uproot the wandering mind!”27.4Itissu maṁ citta pure niyuñjasi.So you used to urge me, mind.

28.1‘Muṇḍo virūpo abhisāpamāgato,“Bald, unsightly, accursed,28.2Kapālahatthova kulesu bhikkhasu;seek alms amongst families, bowl in hand.28.3Yuñjassu satthuvacane mahesino’,Devote yourself to the word of the Teacher, <j>the great seer!”28.4Itissu maṁ citta pure niyuñjasi.So you used to urge me, mind.

29.1‘Susaṁvutatto visikhantare caraṁ,“Wander among the street markets well-restrained,29.2Kulesu kāmesu asaṅgamānaso;mentally unchained to families and sensual pleasures,29.3Cando yathā dosinapuṇṇamāsiyā’,like the full moon on a bright night!”29.4Itissu maṁ citta pure niyuñjasi.So you used to urge me, mind.

30.1‘Āraññiko hohi ca piṇḍapātiko,“Be a wilderness-dweller and an alms-eater,30.2Sosāniko hohi ca paṁsukūliko;one who lives in charnel grounds, a rag-robe wearer,30.3Nesajjiko hohi sadā dhute rato’,one who never lies down, <j>always delighting in ascetic practices.”30.4Itissu maṁ citta pure niyuñjasi.So you used to urge me, mind.

31.1Ropetva rukkhāni yathā phalesī,Mind, when you urge me to <j>the impermanent and unstable,31.2Mūle taruṁ chettu tameva icchasi;you’re acting like someone who plants trees,31.3Tathūpamaṁ cittamidaṁ karosi,then, when they’re about to fruit,31.4Yaṁ maṁ aniccamhi cale niyuñjasi.wishes to cut down the very same trees.

32.1Arūpa dūraṅgama ekacāri,Incorporeal mind, far-traveler, lone-wanderer:32.2Na te karissaṁ vacanaṁ idānihaṁ;I won’t do your bidding any more.32.3Dukkhā hi kāmā kaṭukā mahabbhayā,Sensual pleasures are suffering, painful, <j>and very dangerous;32.4Nibbānamevābhimano carissaṁ.I’ll wander with my mind <j>focused only on extinguishment.

33.1Nāhaṁ alakkhyā ahirikkatāya vā,I didn’t go forth due to bad luck or shamelessness,33.2Na cittahetū na ca dūrakantanā;or due to a whim or banishment,33.3Ājīvahetū ca ahaṁ na nikkhamiṁ,nor for the sake of a livelihood;33.4Kato ca te citta paṭissavo mayā.it was because I agreed <j>to the promise you made, mind.

34.1‘Appicchatā sappurisehi vaṇṇitā,“Having few wishes, abandoning disparagement,34.2Makkhappahānaṁ vupasamo dukhassa’;the settling of suffering: <j>these are praised by true persons.”34.3Itissu maṁ citta tadā niyuñjasi,So you used to urge me, mind,34.4Idāni tvaṁ gacchasi pubbaciṇṇaṁ.but now you keep on with your old habits!

35.1Taṇhā avijjā ca piyāpiyañca,Craving, ignorance, the loved and unloved,35.2Subhāni rūpāni sukhā ca vedanā;pretty sights, pleasant feelings,35.3Manāpiyā kāmaguṇā ca vantā,and the delightful kinds of sensual stimulation:35.4Vante ahaṁ āvamituṁ na ussahe.I’ve vomited them up, I can’t swallow them back.³

36.1Sabbattha te citta vaco kataṁ mayā,I’ve done your bidding everywhere, mind!36.2Bahūsu jātīsu na mesi kopito;For many births, I’ve done nothing to upset you.36.3Ajjhattasambhavo kataññutāya te,Yet the creation in myself <j>is because of your ingratitude—⁴36.4Dukkhe ciraṁ saṁsaritaṁ tayā kate.for a long time I’ve transmigrated <j>in the suffering you’ve made.

37.1Tvaññeva no citta karosi brāhmaṇo,Only you, mind, make a brahmin;37.2Tvaṁ khattiyo rājadasī karosi;you make an aristocrat or a royal seer.37.3Vessā ca suddā ca bhavāma ekadā,Sometimes we become peasants or menials;37.4Devattanaṁ vāpi taveva vāhasā.and life as a god is also on account of you.

38.1Taveva hetū asurā bhavāmase,You alone make us titans;38.2Tvaṁmūlakaṁ nerayikā bhavāmase;because of you we’re born in hell.38.3Atho tiracchānagatāpi ekadā,Then sometimes we become animals,38.4Petattanaṁ vāpi taveva vāhasā.and life as a ghost is also on account of you.

39.1Nanu dubbhissasi maṁ punappunaṁ,Come what may, you won’t betray me again,39.2Muhuṁ muhuṁ cāraṇikaṁva dassayaṁ;dazzling me with your ever-changing display!39.3Ummattakeneva mayā palobhasi,You play with me like I’m mad—39.4Kiñcāpi te citta virādhitaṁ mayā.but how have I ever failed you, mind?

40.1Idaṁ pure cittamacāri cārikaṁ,In the past my mind wandered40.2Yenicchakaṁ yatthakāmaṁ yathāsukhaṁ;how it wished, where it liked, as it pleased.40.3Tadajjahaṁ niggahessāmi yoniso,Now I’ll carefully guide it,40.4Hatthippabhinnaṁ viya aṅkusaggaho.as a trainer with a hook guides a rutting elephant.

41.1Satthā ca me lokamimaṁ adhiṭṭhahi,The teacher willed that this world appear to me41.2Aniccato addhuvato asārato;as impermanent, unstable, insubstantial.41.3Pakkhanda maṁ citta jinassa sāsane,Mind, let me leap into the victor’s teaching,41.4Tārehi oghā mahatā suduttarā.carry me over the great flood, so hard to pass.

42.1Na te idaṁ citta yathā purāṇakaṁ,Things have changed, mind!42.2Nāhaṁ alaṁ tuyha vase nivattituṁ;Nothing could make me return to your control!42.3Mahesino pabbajitomhi sāsane,I’ve gone forth in the teaching of the great seer,42.4Na mādisā honti vināsadhārino.those like me don’t come to ruin.

43.1Nagā samuddā saritā vasundharā,Mountains, oceans, rivers, the earth;43.2Disā catasso vidisā adho divā;the four quarters, the intermediate directions, <j>below and in the sky;43.3Sabbe aniccā tibhavā upaddutā,the three realms of existence <j>are all impermanent and harried—43.4Kuhiṁ gato citta sukhaṁ ramissasi.where can you go to find happiness, mind?

44.1Dhitipparaṁ kiṁ mama citta kāhisi,Mind, what will you do to someone <j>who has made the ultimate commitment?44.2Na te alaṁ citta vasānuvattako;Nothing could make me a follower <j>under your control, mind;44.3Na jātu bhastaṁ ubhatomukhaṁ chupe,I’d never touch a bellows <j>with a mouth open at each end;44.4Dhiratthu pūraṁ nava sotasandaniṁ.curse this mortal frame flowing with nine streams!

45.1Varāhaeṇeyyavigāḷhasevite,You’ve ascended the mountain peak, <j>full of nature’s beauty,45.2Pabbhārakuṭṭe pakateva sundare;frequented by boars and antelopes,45.3Navambunā pāvusasitthakānane,a grove sprinkled with fresh water in the monsoon;45.4Tahiṁ guhāgehagato ramissasi.and there you’ll be happy in your cave-home.

46.1Sunīlagīvā susikhā supekhunā,Peacocks with beautiful necks and crests,46.2Sucittapattacchadanā vihaṅgamā;colorful tail-feathers and wings,46.3Sumañjughosatthanitābhigajjino,crying out at the resounding thunder:46.4Te taṁ ramessanti vanamhi jhāyinaṁ.they’ll delight you as you meditate in the forest.

47.1Vuṭṭhamhi deve caturaṅgule tiṇe,When the heavens have rained, <j>and the grass is four inches high,47.2Sampupphite meghanibhamhi kānane;and the grove is full of flowers like a cloud,47.3Nagantare viṭapisamo sayissaṁ,between the mountains, like the fork of a tree, I’ll lie;47.4Taṁ me mudū hehiti tūlasannibhaṁ.it will be as soft as cotton-buds.

48.1Tathā tu kassāmi yathāpi issaro,I’ll act rather as a master does:48.2Yaṁ labbhati tenapi hotu me alaṁ;let whatever I get be enough for me.48.3Na tāhaṁ kassāmi yathā atandito,And that’s why I’ll make you as supple48.4Biḷārabhastaṁva yathā sumadditaṁ.as a tireless worker makes a cat-skin bag.

49.1Tathā tu kassāmi yathāpi issaro,I’ll act rather as a master does:49.2Yaṁ labbhati tenapi hotu me alaṁ;let whatever I get be enough for me.49.3Viriyena taṁ mayha vasānayissaṁ,I’ll control you with my energy,49.4Gajaṁva mattaṁ kusalaṅkusaggaho.as a skilled trainer controls an elephant with a hook.

50.1Tayā sudantena avaṭṭhitena hi,Now that you’re well-tamed and reliable,50.2Hayena yoggācariyova ujjunā;I can use you, <j>like a trainer uses a straight-running horse,50.3Pahomi maggaṁ paṭipajjituṁ sivaṁ,to practice the path of grace,50.4Cittānurakkhīhi sadā nisevitaṁ.cultivated by those who take care of their minds.

51.1Ārammaṇe taṁ balasā nibandhisaṁ,I shall strongly fasten you to a meditation subject,⁵51.2Nāgaṁva thambhamhi daḷhāya rajjuyā;as an elephant is tied to a post with firm rope.51.3Taṁ me suguttaṁ satiyā subhāvitaṁ,You’ll be well-guarded by me, <j>well-developed by mindfulness,51.4Anissitaṁ sabbabhavesu hehisi.and unattached to rebirth in all states of existence.

52.1Paññāya chetvā vipathānusārinaṁ,With wisdom you’ll cut short <j>the one following the wrong path,52.2Yogena niggayha pathe nivesiya;curb them by meditation, <j>and settle them on the right path.52.3Disvā samudayaṁ vibhavañca sambhavaṁ,Having seen arising and passing away <j>with respect to the cause of suffering,⁶52.4Dāyādako hehisi aggavādino.you’ll be an heir to the greatest teacher.

53.1Catubbipallāsavasaṁ adhiṭṭhitaṁ,Under the sway of the four distortions, mind,53.2Gāmaṇḍalaṁva parinesi citta maṁ;you dragged me around like a bull in a pit;53.3Nanu saṁyojanabandhanacchidaṁ,but now you won’t associate <j>with the great sage of compassion,53.4Saṁsevase kāruṇikaṁ mahāmuniṁ.the cutter of fetters and bonds?

54.1Migo yathā seri sucittakānane,Like a deer roaming free in the colorful forest,54.2Rammaṁ giriṁ pāvusaabbhamāliniṁ;I’ll ascend the lovely mountain <j>wreathed in monsoon clouds,54.3Anākule tattha nage ramissaṁ,and rejoice to be on that hill, free of folk—54.4Asaṁsayaṁ citta parā bhavissasi.there is no doubt you’ll perish, mind.

55.1Ye tuyha chandena vasena vattino,The men and women who live <j>under your will and command,55.2Narā ca nārī ca anubhonti yaṁ sukhaṁ;whatever pleasure they experience,55.3Aviddasū māravasānuvattino,they are ignorant and fall under Māra’s control;55.4Bhavābhinandī tava citta sāvakā”ti.loving life, they’re your disciples, mind.

55.5… Tālapuṭo thero …

55.6Paññāsanipāto niṭṭhito.

56.0Tatruddānaṁ

56.1Paññāsamhi nipātamhi,56.2eko tālapuṭo suci;56.3Gāthāyo tattha paññāsa,56.4puna pañca ca uttarīti.