1.1“‘Samaṇā’ti bhoti supi,“You fell asleep saying ‘ascetics’;1.2‘samaṇā’ti pabujjhasi;you woke up saying ‘ascetics’;1.3Samaṇāneva kittesi,you only praise ascetics, madam—1.4samaṇī nūna bhavissasi.surely you’ll become an ascetic.

2.1Vipulaṁ annañca pānañca,You provide ascetics2.2samaṇānaṁ paveccasi;with abundant food and drink.2.3Rohinī dāni pucchāmi,I ask you now, Rohiṇī:2.4kena te samaṇā piyā.why do you like ascetics?

3.1Akammakāmā alasā,They don’t like to work, they’re lazy,3.2paradattūpajīvino;they live on charity;3.3Āsaṁsukā sādukāmā,always on the lookout, greedy for sweets—3.4kena te samaṇā piyā”.so why do you like ascetics?”

4.1“Cirassaṁ vata maṁ tāta,“Dad, for a long time now4.2samaṇānaṁ paripucchasi;you’ve questioned me about ascetics.4.3Tesaṁ te kittayissāmi,I shall extol for you4.4paññāsīlaparakkamaṁ.their wisdom, ethics, and vigor.

5.1Kammakāmā analasā,They like to work, they’re not lazy;5.2kammaseṭṭhassa kārakā;by giving up greed and hate,5.3Rāgaṁ dosaṁ pajahanti,they do the best kind of work—5.4tena me samaṇā piyā.that’s why I like ascetics.

6.1Tīṇi pāpassa mūlāni,As for the three roots of evil,6.2dhunanti sucikārino;by pure deeds they shake them off.6.3Sabbaṁ pāpaṁ pahīnesaṁ,They have given up all wickedness—6.4tena me samaṇā piyā.that’s why I like ascetics.

7.1Kāyakammaṁ suci nesaṁ,Their bodily actions are pure;7.2vacīkammañca tādisaṁ;their actions of speech likewise;7.3Manokammaṁ suci nesaṁ,their actions of mind are pure—7.4tena me samaṇā piyā.that’s why I like ascetics.

8.1Vimalā saṅkhamuttāva,Immaculate as a conch-shell,8.2suddhā santarabāhirā;they’re pure inside and out,8.3Puṇṇā sukkāna dhammānaṁ,full of bright qualities—8.4tena me samaṇā piyā.that’s why I like ascetics.

9.1Bahussutā dhammadharā,They’re learned and memorize the teaching,9.2ariyā dhammajīvino;noble, living righteously,9.3Atthaṁ dhammañca desenti,teaching the text and its meaning:9.4tena me samaṇā piyā.that’s why I like ascetics.

10.1Bahussutā dhammadharā,They’re learned and memorize the teaching,10.2ariyā dhammajīvino;noble, living righteously,10.3Ekaggacittā satimanto,unified in mind, and mindful—10.4tena me samaṇā piyā.that’s why I like ascetics.

11.1Dūraṅgamā satimanto,Traveling afar, and mindful,11.2mantabhāṇī anuddhatā;thoughtful in counsel, not restless,11.3Dukkhassantaṁ pajānanti,they understand the end of suffering—11.4tena me samaṇā piyā.that’s why I like ascetics.

12.1Yasmā gāmā pakkamanti,When they leave a village,12.2na vilokenti kiñcanaṁ;they don’t look back with longing,12.3Anapekkhāva gacchanti,but proceed without concern—12.4tena me samaṇā piyā.that’s why I like ascetics.

13.1Na te saṁ koṭṭhe openti,They hoard no goods in storerooms,13.2na kumbhiṁ na khaḷopiyaṁ;nor in pots or baskets.13.3Pariniṭṭhitamesānā,They seek food prepared by others—¹13.4tena me samaṇā piyā.that’s why I like ascetics.

14.1Na te hiraññaṁ gaṇhanti,They don’t receive gold coins,14.2na suvaṇṇaṁ na rūpiyaṁ;or gold or silver;14.3Paccuppannena yāpenti,feeding on whatever comes that day,14.4tena me samaṇā piyā.that’s why I like ascetics.

15.1Nānākulā pabbajitā,They have gone forth from different families,15.2nānājanapadehi ca;even different countries,15.3Aññamaññaṁ piyāyanti,and yet they all love one another—15.4tena me samaṇā piyā”.that’s why I like ascetics.”

16.1“Atthāya vata no bhoti,“Dear Rohinī, it was truly for our benefit16.2kule jātāsi rohinī;that you were born in our family!16.3Saddhā buddhe ca dhamme ca,You have faith and such keen respect16.4saṅghe ca tibbagāravā.for the Buddha, his teaching, and the Saṅgha.

17.1Tuvaṁ hetaṁ pajānāsi,For you understand this17.2puññakkhettaṁ anuttaraṁ;supreme field of merit.17.3Amhampi ete samaṇā,These ascetics will henceforth17.4paṭigaṇhanti dakkhiṇaṁ.receive our religious donation, too.

18.1Patiṭṭhito hettha yañño,For there we will place our sacrifice,18.2vipulo no bhavissati”;and it shall be abundant.”18.3“Sace bhāyasi dukkhassa,“If you fear suffering,18.4sace te dukkhamappiyaṁ.if you don’t like suffering,

19.1Upehi saraṇaṁ buddhaṁ,go for refuge to the Buddha, the unaffected,19.2dhammaṁ saṅghañca tādinaṁ;to his teaching and to the Saṅgha.19.3Samādiyāhi sīlāni,Undertake the precepts,19.4taṁ te atthāya hehiti”.that will be good for you.”

20.1“Upemi saraṇaṁ buddhaṁ,“I go for refuge to the Buddha, the unaffected,20.2dhammaṁ saṅghañca tādinaṁ;to his teaching and to the Saṅgha.20.3Samādiyāmi sīlāni,I undertake the precepts,20.4taṁ me atthāya hehiti.that will be good for me.

21.1Brahmabandhu pure āsiṁ,I used to be brahmin only by kin,21.2so idānimhi brāhmaṇo;now I genuinely am a brahmin.21.3Tevijjo sottiyo camhi,Master of the three knowledges, I’m a scholar,21.4vedagū camhi nhātako”.a knowledge master, a bathed initiate.”

22.1… Rohinī therī ….