1.1“Āraññikā piṇḍapātikā,“Living in the wilderness, eating only almsfood,1.2uñchāpattāgate ratā;happy with the scraps in our bowls,1.3Dālemu maccuno senaṁ,let us tear apart the army of death,1.4ajjhattaṁ susamāhitā.while remaining serene within.

2.1Āraññikā piṇḍapātikā,Living in the wilderness, eating only almsfood,2.2uñchāpattāgate ratā;happy with the scraps in our bowls,2.3Dhunāma maccuno senaṁ,let us crush the army of death,2.4naḷāgāraṁva kuñjaro.as an elephant a hut of reeds.

3.1Rukkhamūlikā sātatikā,Living at the foot of a tree, persistent,3.2uñchāpattāgate ratā;happy with the scraps in our bowls,3.3Dālemu maccuno senaṁ,let us tear apart the army of death,3.4ajjhattaṁ susamāhitā.while remaining serene within.

4.1Rukkhamūlikā sātatikā,Living at the foot of a tree, persistent,4.2uñchāpattāgate ratā;happy with the scraps in our bowls,4.3Dhunāma maccuno senaṁ,let us crush the army of death,4.4naḷāgāraṁva kuñjaro”.as an elephant a hut of reeds.”

5.1“Aṭṭhikaṅkalakuṭike,“You hut, made of a chain of bones,5.2maṁsanhārupasibbite;sewn together with flesh and sinew;5.3Dhiratthu pure duggandhe,curse you mortal frame, you stink,5.4paragatte mamāyase.you cherish the parts of others!

6.1Gūthabhaste taconaddhe,You sack of dung swathed in skin!6.2uragaṇḍipisācini;You demoness with horns on your chest!6.3Nava sotāni te kāye,O body, you have nine streams6.4yāni sandanti sabbadā.that are flowing all the time.

7.1Tava sarīraṁ navasotaṁ,With its nine streams,7.2Duggandhakaraṁ paribandhaṁ;your body stinks, full of dung.7.3Bhikkhu parivajjayate taṁ,A monk seeking purity7.4Mīḷhaṁ ca yathā sucikāmo.would avoid it like excrement.

8.1Evañce taṁ jano jaññā,If they knew you8.2yathā jānāmi taṁ ahaṁ;like I do,8.3Ārakā parivajjeyya,they’d keep far away,8.4gūthaṭṭhānaṁva pāvuse”.like a cesspit in the monsoon.”

9.1“Evametaṁ mahāvīra,“So it is, great hero!9.2yathā samaṇa bhāsasi;As you say, ascetic!9.3Ettha ceke visīdanti,But some founder here9.4paṅkamhiva jaraggavo”.like an old bull stuck in a bog.”

10.1“Ākāsamhi haliddiyā,“Whoever might think10.2yo maññetha rajetave;of making the sky yellow,10.3Aññena vāpi raṅgena,or some other color,10.4vighātudayameva taṁ.would only trouble themselves.

11.1Tadākāsasamaṁ cittaṁ,This mind is like the sky:11.2ajjhattaṁ susamāhitaṁ;serene inside itself.11.3Mā pāpacitte āsādi,Evil-minded one, don’t attack me,11.4aggikhandhaṁva pakkhimā”.you’ll end up like a moth in a mass of fire.”

12.1“Passa cittakataṁ bimbaṁ,“See this fancy puppet,12.2arukāyaṁ samussitaṁ;a body built of sores,12.3Āturaṁ bahusaṅkappaṁ,diseased, obsessed over,12.4yassa natthi dhuvaṁ ṭhiti.in which nothing lasts at all.

13.1Passa cittakataṁ rūpaṁ,See this fancy figure,13.2maṇinā kuṇḍalena ca;with its gems and earrings;13.3Aṭṭhiṁ tacena onaddhaṁ,it is bones swathed in skin,13.4saha vatthehi sobhati.made pretty by its clothes.

14.1Alattakakatā pādā,Rouged feet14.2mukhaṁ cuṇṇakamakkhitaṁ;and powdered face14.3Alaṁ bālassa mohāya,may be enough to beguile a fool,14.4no ca pāragavesino.but not a seeker of the far shore.

15.1Aṭṭhapadakatā kesā,Hair in eight braids15.2nettā añjanamakkhitā;and eyeshadow15.3Alaṁ bālassa mohāya,may be enough to beguile a fool,15.4no ca pāragavesino.but not a seeker of the far shore.

16.1Añjanīva navā cittā,A rotting body all adorned16.2pūtikāyo alaṅkato;like a freshly painted makeup box16.3Alaṁ bālassa mohāya,may be enough to beguile a fool,16.4no ca pāragavesino.but not a seeker of the far shore.

17.1Odahi migavo pāsaṁ,The hunter laid his snare,17.2nāsadā vāguraṁ migo;but the deer didn’t spring the trap.17.3Bhutvā nivāpaṁ gacchāma,I’ve eaten the bait and now I go,17.4kaddante migabandhake.leaving the trapper to lament.

18.1Chinno pāso migavassa,The hunter’s snare is broken,18.2nāsadā vāguraṁ migo;but the deer didn’t spring the trap.18.3Bhutvā nivāpaṁ gacchāma,I’ve eaten the bait and now I go,18.4socante migaluddake”.leaving the deer-hunter to grieve.”

19.1“Tadāsi yaṁ bhiṁsanakaṁ,“Then there was terror!19.2tadāsi lomahaṁsanaṁ;Then they had goosebumps!19.3Anekākārasampanne,When Sāriputta, <j>endowed with many fine qualities,¹19.4sāriputtamhi nibbute.became quenched.

20.1Aniccā vata saṅkhārā,Oh! Conditions are impermanent,20.2uppādavayadhammino;their nature is to rise and fall;20.3Upajjitvā nirujjhanti,having arisen, they cease;20.4tesaṁ vūpasamo sukho.their settling is such bliss.”

21.1Sukhumaṁ te paṭivijjhanti,“Those who see the five aggregates21.2vālaggaṁ usunā yathā;as other, not as self,21.3Ye pañcakkhandhe passanti,penetrate a subtle thing,21.4parato no ca attato.like a hair-tip with an arrow.

22.1Ye ca passanti saṅkhāre,Those who see conditions22.2parato no ca attato;as alien, not as self,22.3Paccabyādhiṁsu nipuṇaṁ,pierce a fine thing,22.4vālaggaṁ usunā yathā.like a hair-tip with an arrow.”

23.1Sattiyā viya omaṭṭho,“Like they’re struck by a sword,23.2ḍayhamānova matthake;like their head was on fire,23.3Kāmarāgappahānāya,a mendicant should wander mindful,23.4sato bhikkhu paribbaje.to give up sensual desire.

24.1Sattiyā viya omaṭṭho,Like they’re struck by a sword,24.2ḍayhamānova matthake;like their head was on fire,24.3Bhavarāgappahānāya,a mendicant should wander mindful,24.4sato bhikkhu paribbaje.to give up desire for rebirth.”

25.1Codito bhāvitattena,“Urged by the developed one,25.2sarīrantimadhārinā;who bore his final body,25.3Migāramātupāsādaṁ,I shook the stilt longhouse of Migāra’s mother25.4pādaṅguṭṭhena kampayiṁ.with my big toe.”

26.1Nayidaṁ sithilamārabbha,“Not by being slack,26.2nayidaṁ appena thāmasā;or with little strength26.3Nibbānamadhigantabbaṁ,may this be realized—extinguishment,26.4sabbaganthapamocanaṁ.the release from all ties.”

27.1Ayañca daharo bhikkhu,“This young monk,27.2ayamuttamaporiso;this best of men,27.3Dhāreti antimaṁ dehaṁ,bears his final body,27.4jetvā māraṁ savāhiniṁ.having vanquished Māra and his legions.”

28.1Vivaramanupabhanti vijjutā,“Lightning flashes down28.2Vebhārassa ca paṇḍavassa ca;on the cleft of Vebhāra and Paṇḍava.28.3Nagavivaragato jhāyati,But in the mountain cleft he is absorbed in jhāna—28.4Putto appaṭimassa tādino.the son of the Buddha, inimitable and unaffected.”

29.1Upasanto uparato,“Calm and still,29.2pantasenāsano muni;the sage in his remote lodging,29.3Dāyādo buddhaseṭṭhassa,the heir to the best of Buddhas,29.4brahmunā abhivandito”.is honored even by the Divinity.

30.1“Upasantaṁ uparataṁ,Calm and still,30.2pantasenāsanaṁ muniṁ;the sage in his remote lodging,30.3Dāyādaṁ buddhaseṭṭhassa,is heir to the best of Buddhas:30.4vanda brāhmaṇa kassapaṁ.Brahmin, you should honor Kassapa!

31.1Yo ca jātisataṁ gacche,Even if someone were to be born again and again31.2sabbā brāhmaṇajātiyo;a hundred times in the human realm,31.3Sottiyo vedasampanno,and always as a brahmin,31.4manussesu punappunaṁ.a student accomplished in the Vedas;

32.1Ajjhāyakopi ce assa,and if he were to become a reciter,32.2tiṇṇaṁ vedāna pāragū;a master of the three Vedas:32.3Etassa vandanāyetaṁ,honoring such a person32.4kalaṁ nāgghati soḷasiṁ.isn’t worth a sixteenth of that.

33.1Yo so aṭṭha vimokkhāni,One who attains the eight liberations33.2purebhattaṁ aphassayi;forwards and backwards33.3Anulomaṁ paṭilomaṁ,before breakfast,33.4tato piṇḍāya gacchati.and then goes on almsround—

34.1Tādisaṁ bhikkhuṁ māsādi,don’t attack such a mendicant!34.2māttānaṁ khaṇi brāhmaṇa;Don’t ruin yourself, brahmin!34.3Abhippasādehi manaṁ,Let your heart have trust34.4arahantamhi tādine;in the perfected one, the unaffected;34.5Khippaṁ pañjaliko vanda,quickly venerate him with cupped palms:34.6mā te vijaṭi matthakaṁ”.don’t let your head explode!”

35.1“Neso passati saddhammaṁ,“If you prioritize transmigration,35.2saṁsārena purakkhato;you don’t see the true teaching.35.3Adhogamaṁ jimhapathaṁ,You’re following a twisted path,35.4kummaggamanudhāvati.a bad path that will lead you down.

36.1Kimīva mīḷhasallitto,Like a worm smeared with dung,36.2saṅkhāre adhimucchito;he is besotted with conditions.36.3Pagāḷho lābhasakkāre,Consumed by gain and honor,36.4tuccho gacchati poṭṭhilo”.Poṭṭhila goes on, hollow.”

37.1“Imañca passa āyantaṁ,“See Sāriputta coming!37.2sāriputtaṁ sudassanaṁ;It is good to see him;37.3Vimuttaṁ ubhatobhāge,he is freed in both ways,37.4ajjhattaṁ susamāhitaṁ.serene inside himself;

38.1Visallaṁ khīṇasaṁyogaṁ,free of thorns, with yoking ended,38.2tevijjaṁ maccuhāyinaṁ;master of the three knowledges, <j>conqueror of death;38.3Dakkhiṇeyyaṁ manussānaṁ,worthy of offerings,38.4puññakkhettaṁ anuttaraṁ”.a supreme field of merit for the people.”

39.1“Ete sambahulā devā,“These many gods,39.2iddhimanto yasassino;powerful and glorious,39.3Dasa devasahassāni,all 10,000 of them,39.4sabbe brahmapurohitā;are priests of Divinity.39.5Moggallānaṁ namassantā,They stand with cupped palms39.6tiṭṭhanti pañjalīkatā.honoring Moggallāna:

40.1‘Namo te purisājañña,‘Homage to you, O thoroughbred!40.2namo te purisuttama;Homage to you, supreme among men!40.3Yassa te āsavā khīṇā,Since your defilements are ended,40.4dakkhiṇeyyosi mārisa’.you, good fellow, are worthy of teacher’s offerings.’

41.1Pūjito naradevena,Venerated by the lordly god,41.2uppanno maraṇābhibhū;he has arisen, the master of death.41.3Puṇḍarīkaṁva toyena,He is unsmeared by conditions,41.4saṅkhārenupalippati.as a lotus-flower by water.”

42.1Yassa muhuttena sahassadhā loko,“The mendicant by whom the galaxy42.2Saṁvidito sabrahmakappo vasi;with the age of the Divinity are known in an hour—42.3Iddhiguṇe cutupapāte kāle,that master of psychic ability sees the gods42.4Passati devatā sa bhikkhu”.at the time they pass away and are reborn.”

43.1“Sāriputtova paññāya,“Sāriputta is full of wisdom,43.2sīlena upasamena ca;ethics, and peace.43.3Yopi pāraṅgato bhikkhu,Even a mendicant who has crossed over43.4etāvaparamo siyā.might at best equal him.

44.1Koṭisatasahassassa,But in a moment I can create the likenesses44.2Attabhāvaṁ khaṇena nimmine;of ten million times 100,000 people!44.3Ahaṁ vikubbanāsu kusalo,I’m skilled in transformations;44.4Vasībhūtomhi iddhiyā.I’m a master of psychic powers.

45.1Samādhivijjāvasipāramīgato,A member of the Moggallāna clan, <j>attained to perfection and mastery45.2Moggallānagotto asitassa sāsane;in immersion and knowledge, <j>wise in the teachings of the unattached,45.3Dhīro samucchindi samāhitindriyo,with serene faculties, has burst his bonds45.4Nāgo yathā pūtilataṁva bandhanaṁ.like an elephant bursts a vine.

46.1Pariciṇṇo mayā satthā,I’ve served the Teacher46.2kataṁ buddhassa sāsanaṁ;and fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions.46.3Ohito garuko bhāro,The heavy burden is laid down,46.4bhavanetti samūhatā.the leash to existence is eradicated.

47.1Yassa catthāya pabbajito,I’ve attained the goal47.2agārasmānagāriyaṁ;for the sake of which I went forth47.3So me attho anuppatto,from the lay life to homelessness—47.4sabbasaṁyojanakkhayo.the ending of all fetters.”

48.1Kīdiso nirayo āsi,“What kind of hell was that,48.2yattha dussī apaccatha;where Dūsī was roasted48.3Vidhuraṁ sāvakamāsajja,after attacking the disciple Vidhura48.4kakusandhañca brāhmaṇaṁ.along with the brahmin Kakusandha?

49.1Sataṁ āsi ayosaṅkū,There were 100 iron spikes,49.2sabbe paccattavedanā;each one uniquely painful.49.3Īdiso nirayo āsi,That’s the kind of hell49.4yattha dussī apaccatha;where Dūsī was roasted49.5Vidhuraṁ sāvakamāsajja,after attacking the disciple Vidhura49.6kakusandhañca brāhmaṇaṁ.along with the brahmin Kakusandha.

50.1Yo etamabhijānāti,Dark One, if you attack50.2bhikkhu buddhassa sāvako;a mendicant who directly knows this,50.3Tādisaṁ bhikkhumāsajja,a disciple of the Buddha,50.4kaṇha dukkhaṁ nigacchasi.you’ll fall into suffering.

51.1Majjhesarasmiṁ tiṭṭhanti,There are mansions that last an eon51.2vimānā kappaṭhāyino;standing in the middle of a lake.51.3Veḷuriyavaṇṇā rucirā,Sapphire-colored, brilliant,51.4accimanto pabhassarā;they sparkle and shine.51.5Accharā tattha naccanti,Dancing there are nymphs51.6puthu nānattavaṇṇiyo.shining in all different colors.

52.1Yo etamabhijānāti,Dark One, if you attack52.2… pea mendicant who directly knows this,52.3…a disciple of the Buddha,52.4kaṇha dukkhaṁ nigacchasi.you’ll fall into suffering.

53.1Yo ve buddhena codito,I’m the one who, urged by the Buddha,53.2bhikkhusaṅghassa pekkhato;shook the stilt longhouse of Migāra’s mother53.3Migāramātupāsādaṁ,with his big toe53.4pādaṅguṭṭhena kampayi.as the Saṅgha of mendicants watched.

54.1Yo etamabhijānāti,Dark One, if you attack54.2… pea mendicant who directly knows this,54.3…a disciple of the Buddha,54.4kaṇha dukkhaṁ nigacchasi.you’ll fall into suffering.

55.1Yo vejayantapāsādaṁ,I’m the one who shook the Palace of Victory55.2pādaṅguṭṭhena kampayi;with his big toe55.3Iddhibalenupatthaddho,owing to psychic power,55.4saṁvejesi ca devatā.inspiring deities to awe.

56.1Yo etamabhijānāti,Dark One, if you attack56.2… pea mendicant who directly knows this,56.3…a disciple of the Buddha,56.4kaṇha dukkhaṁ nigacchasi.you’ll fall into suffering.

57.1Yo vejayantapāsāde,I’m the one who asked Sakka57.2sakkaṁ so paripucchati;in the Palace of Victory:57.3Api āvuso jānāsi,‘Respectable sir, I hope you recall57.4taṇhakkhayavimuttiyo;the one who is freed through the ending of craving?’²57.5Tassa sakko viyākāsi,And I’m the one to whom Sakka57.6pañhaṁ puṭṭho yathātathaṁ”.admitted the truth when asked.

58.1“Yo etamabhijānāti,Dark One, if you attack58.2… pea mendicant who directly knows this,58.3…a disciple of the Buddha,58.4kaṇha dukkhaṁ nigacchasi.you’ll fall into suffering.

59.1Yo brahmānaṁ paripucchati,I’m the one who asked the Divinity59.2Sudhammāyaṁ ṭhito sabhaṁ;in the Hall of Clear Right before the assembly:³59.3Ajjāpi tyāvuso sā diṭṭhi,‘Respectable sir, do you still have the same view59.4Yā te diṭṭhi pure ahu;that you had in the past?59.5Passasi vītivattantaṁ,Or do you see the radiance59.6Brahmaloke pabhassaraṁ.surpassing the realm of divinity?’

60.1Tassa brahmā viyākāsi,And I’m the one to whom the Divinity60.2pañhaṁ puṭṭho yathātathaṁ;admitted the truth when asked.60.3Na me mārisa sā diṭṭhi,‘Good fellow, I don’t have that view60.4yā me diṭṭhi pure ahu.that I had in the past.

61.1Passāmi vītivattantaṁ,I see the radiance61.2brahmaloke pabhassaraṁ;surpassing the realm of divinity.61.3Sohaṁ ajja kathaṁ vajjaṁ,So how could I say today61.4ahaṁ niccomhi sassato”.that I am permanent and eternal?’

62.1“Yo etamabhijānāti,Dark One, if you attack62.2… pea mendicant who directly knows this,62.3…a disciple of the Buddha,62.4kaṇha dukkhaṁ nigacchasi.you’ll fall into suffering.

63.1Yo mahāneruno kūṭaṁ,I’m the one who touched the peak of Mount Neru63.2vimokkhena aphassayi;using the power of meditative liberation.63.3Vanaṁ pubbavidehānaṁ,I’ve visited the forests of the people63.4ye ca bhūmisayā narā.who dwell in the land east of Videha.

64.1Yo etamabhijānāti,Dark One, if you attack64.2bhikkhu buddhassa sāvako;a mendicant who directly knows this,64.3Tādisaṁ bhikkhumāsajja,a disciple of the Buddha,64.4kaṇha dukkhaṁ nigacchasi.you’ll fall into suffering.

65.1Na ve aggi cetayati,Though a fire doesn’t think,65.2ahaṁ bālaṁ ḍahāmīti;‘I’ll burn the fool!’65.3Bālova jalitaṁ aggiṁ,Still the fool who attacks65.4āsajja naṁ paḍayhati.the fire gets burnt.

66.1Evamevaṁ tuvaṁ māra,In the same way, Māra,66.2āsajja naṁ tathāgataṁ;in attacking the Realized One,66.3Sayaṁ ḍahissasi attānaṁ,you’ll only burn yourself,66.4bālo aggiṁva samphusaṁ.like a fool touching the flames.

67.1Apuññaṁ pasavī māro,Māra’s done a bad thing67.2āsajja naṁ tathāgataṁ;in attacking the Realized One.67.3Kiṁ nu maññasi pāpima,Wicked One, do you imagine that67.4na me pāpaṁ vipaccati.your wickedness won’t bear fruit?

68.1Karato te cīyate pāpaṁ,Your deeds heap up wickedness68.2cirarattāya antaka;that will last a long time, terminator!68.3Māra nibbinda buddhamhā,Give up on the Buddha, Māra!68.4āsaṁ mākāsi bhikkhusu”.And hold no hope for the mendicants!”

69.1“Iti māraṁ atajjesi,That is how, in the Bhesekaḷā grove,⁴69.2bhikkhu bhesakaḷāvane;the mendicant warned Māra.69.3Tato so dummano yakkho,That spirit, downcast,69.4tatthevantaradhāyathā”ti.disappeared right there.

69.5Itthaṁ sudaṁ āyasmā mahāmoggallāno thero gāthāyo abhāsitthāti.That is how these verses were recited by the senior venerable Mahāmoggallāna.

69.6Saṭṭhinipāto niṭṭhito.The Book of the Sixties is finished.

70.0Tatruddānaṁ

70.1Saṭṭhikamhi nipātamhi,70.2moggallāno mahiddhiko;70.3Ekova theragāthāyo,70.4aṭṭhasaṭṭhi bhavanti tāti.