Thag 8.3

Mahāpanthakattheragāthā

“Yadā paṭhamamaddakkhiṁ, satthāramakutobhayaṁ; Tato me ahu saṁvego, passitvā purisuttamaṁ.

Mahāpanthaka

When I first saw the Teacher who fears nothing from any quarter, I was struck with a sense of urgency, seeing the supreme among men.

Siriṁ hatthehi pādehi, yo paṇāmeyya āgataṁ; Etādisaṁ so satthāraṁ, ārādhetvā virādhaye.

Anyone who, having found such a Teacher, would lose them again, is like one who, when approached by Lady Luck, would ward her off with their hands and feet.

Tadāhaṁ puttadārañca, dhanadhaññañca chaḍḍayiṁ; Kesamassūni chedetvā, pabbajiṁ anagāriyaṁ.

Then I left behind my children and wives, my riches and my grain; I had my hair and beard cut off, and went forth to homelessness.

Sikkhāsājīvasampanno, indriyesu susaṁvuto; Namassamāno sambuddhaṁ, vihāsiṁ aparājito.

Endowed with the monastic training and livelihood, my sense faculties well-restrained, paying homage to the Buddha, I meditated undefeated.

Tato me paṇidhī āsi, cetaso abhipatthito; Na nisīde muhuttampi, taṇhāsalle anūhate.

Then a wish occurred to me, my heart’s truest wish: I wouldn’t sit down, not even for a short while, until the dart of craving was plucked.

Tassa mevaṁ viharato, passa vīriyaparakkamaṁ; Tisso vijjā anuppattā, kataṁ buddhassa sāsanaṁ.

As I meditate like this, see my energy and vigor! I’ve attained the three knowledges, and fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions.

Pubbenivāsaṁ jānāmi, dibbacakkhu visodhitaṁ; Arahā dakkhiṇeyyomhi, vippamutto nirūpadhi.

I know my past lives, my clairvoyance is clarified; I’m perfected, worthy of offerings, liberated, free of attachments.

Tato ratyā vivasāne, sūriyuggamanaṁ pati; Sabbaṁ taṇhaṁ visosetvā, pallaṅkena upāvisin”ti.

Then, at the end of the night, as the rising of the sun drew near, all craving was dried up, so I sat down cross-legged.