Thig 5.3

Sīhātherīgāthā

“Ayoniso manasikārā, kāmarāgena aṭṭitā; Ahosiṁ uddhatā pubbe, citte avasavattinī.

Sīhā

Due to irrational application of mind, I was racked by desire for pleasures of the senses. I was restless in the past, lacking control over my mind.

Pariyuṭṭhitā klesehi, subhasaññānuvattinī; Samaṁ cittassa na labhiṁ, rāgacittavasānugā.

Overcome by corruptions, pursuing perceptions of the beautiful, I gained no peace of mind. Under the sway of lustful thoughts,

Kisā paṇḍu vivaṇṇā ca, satta vassāni cārihaṁ; Nāhaṁ divā vā rattiṁ vā, sukhaṁ vindiṁ sudukkhitā.

thin, pale, and wan, for seven years I wandered, full of pain, finding no happiness by day or night.

Tato rajjuṁ gahetvāna, pāvisiṁ vanamantaraṁ; Varaṁ me idha ubbandhaṁ, yañca hīnaṁ punācare.

Taking a rope I entered deep into the forest, thinking: “It’s better that I hang myself than I return to a lesser life.”

Daḷhapāsaṁ karitvāna, rukkhasākhāya bandhiya; Pakkhipiṁ pāsaṁ gīvāyaṁ, atha cittaṁ vimucci me”ti.

I made a strong noose and tied it to the branch of a tree. Casting it round my neck, my mind was freed.