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Vimalā, the Former Courtesan

Vimalātherīgāthā

Translated by Bhikkhu Sujato · Pāli: Mahāsaṅgīti Tipiṭaka · Public domain (CC0) via SuttaCentral

  • 0.1Therīgāthā 5.2Verses of the Senior Nuns 5.2
  • 0.2PañcakanipātaThe Book of the Fives

0.3VimalātherīgāthāVimalā, the Former Courtesan

1.1“Mattā vaṇṇena rūpena,Intoxicated by my appearance,1.2sobhaggena yasena ca;my figure, my beauty, my fame,1.3Yobbanena cupatthaddhā,and owing to my youth,1.4aññāsamatimaññihaṁ.I looked down on others.

2.1Vibhūsetvā imaṁ kāyaṁ,I adorned this body2.2sucittaṁ bālalāpanaṁ;all pretty, lamented by fools,2.3Aṭṭhāsiṁ vesidvāramhi,and stood at the brothel door,2.4luddo pāsamivoḍḍiya.like a hunter setting a snare.

3.1Piḷandhanaṁ vidaṁsentī,I stripped for them,3.2guyhaṁ pakāsikaṁ bahuṁ;revealing my many hidden treasures.3.3Akāsiṁ vividhaṁ māyaṁ,Creating an intricate illusion,3.4ujjagghantī bahuṁ janaṁ.I laughed, teasing those men.

4.1Sājja piṇḍaṁ caritvāna,Today, having wandered for alms,4.2muṇḍā saṅghāṭipārutā;my head shaven, wearing the outer robe,4.3Nisinnā rukkhamūlamhi,I sat at the root of a tree to meditate;4.4avitakkassa lābhinī.I’ve gained freedom from thought.

5.1Sabbe yogā samucchinnā,All yokes are severed,5.2ye dibbā ye ca mānusā;both human and heavenly.5.3Khepetvā āsave sabbe,Having wiped out all defilements,5.4sītibhūtāmhi nibbutā”ti.I have become cooled and quenched.

6.1… Vimalā purāṇagaṇikā therī ….