[473]
In the city named after a flower, Pāṭaliputta, in the finest part of the earth, there were two bhikkhunīs endowed with good qualities, well-born daughters of the Sakyan clan.
One of them was Isidāsī; the second, named Bodhī, was likewise endowed with virtue — both delighting in the practice of meditative absorption (jhāna), deeply learned, having shaken off the defilements (kilesa).
Having walked for alms, taken their meal, and washed their bowls, seated at ease in a secluded place, they uttered these words:
"You are gracious, noble lady Isidāsī, and your youth has not yet faded. What fault did you see, that you gave yourself to renunciation (nekkhamma)?"
Thus questioned in that secluded place, Isidāsī, skilled in teaching the Dhamma, spoke this word: "Hear, Bodhī, how it was that I went forth."
From here onward is the account given in reply.
In Ujjenī, best of cities, my father was a merchant restrained by virtue; I was his only daughter — dear, charming, and beloved.
Then from Sāketa came a suitor of the highest family, a merchant of abundant treasure; to him my father gave me as daughter-in-law.
Morning and evening I drew near to my mother-in-law and father-in-law with obeisance, bowing my head at their feet, just as I had been instructed.
Whenever I caught sight — even a single time — of my husband's sisters, his brothers, or his retinue, I would tremble with deference and offer my seat.
With rice and drink and hard food, and whatever was stored in the house, I would serve them and set it before them, giving to each what was fitting.
Rising betimes, I would go to my husband's quarters; having washed my hands and feet upon the threshold, I would approach my husband with joined palms.
Taking comb and adornments, collyrium and mirror, I would deck out my husband myself, like a maid at her service.
I myself cooked the rice; I myself washed the vessels; as a mother tends her only little son, so did I wait upon my husband.
Though I showed him such devotion — a peerless server, my pride laid low, rising early and never lazy, virtuous — my husband turned against me.
He said to his mother and father: "I shall take my leave and go: I will not live together with Isidāsī, nor dwell with her in one house."
"Do not speak so, son! Isidāsī is wise and capable, rising early and never lazy. Why does she not please you, son?"
"She does me no harm at all; yet I will not live with Isidāsī. To me she is simply hateful — I have had enough. I shall take my leave and go."
Hearing his words, my mother-in-law and father-in-law asked me: "What offence have you committed? Speak freely; tell what was done, as it really was (yathābhūtaṃ)."
"I have committed no offence at all, nor done him any harm, nor taken heed of any harsh word. What can be done, when my husband detests me?"
Dejected, overcome by suffering (dukkha), they led me back to my father's house: "Guarding our son, we have lost Fortune (Lacchī) incarnate in her lovely form."
Then my father gave me into the household of a rich man of a second family — for half the bride-price by which the merchant had won me.
In his house also I dwelt a month; then he too cast me off, though I attended on him like a slave-woman, blameless and endowed with virtue.
To one wandering for alms, a tamer [of others], himself tamed, my father said: "Be my son-in-law: lay down your rag-cloth and your pot."
He too, having dwelt a fortnight, said to my father: "Give me my rag-cloth, my pot, and my beggar's dish: I will go wandering again for alms."
Then my father, my mother, and the whole circle of my kinsfolk said to him: "What has not been done for you here? Say quickly, what shall be done for you?"
Thus addressed, he said: "If only I can fend for myself, that is enough for me: I will not live together with Isidāsī, nor dwell with her in one house."
Released, he went away; and I, all alone, took thought: "Let me take leave and go — either to die, or to go forth."
Then the noble lady Jinadattā, a bearer of the Discipline (vinaya), deeply learned, endowed with virtue, came to my father's family as she walked her alms-round.
Seeing her come to us, I rose and made ready a seat for her; and when she was seated, I paid homage at her feet and gave her food.
Having satisfied her with rice and drink and hard food, and whatever was stored in the house, I said: "Noble lady, I wish to go forth."
Then my father said to me: "Practice the Dhamma right here, my child; with rice and drink satisfy the ascetics and the twice-born [brahmins]."
Then, weeping, raising my joined palms, I said to my father: "Give me leave, father: I will wear away the kamma that I have done."
Then my father said to me: "Attain awakening (bodhi) and the supreme Dhamma, and gain Nibbāna, which the Best among Two-footed Beings has realized."
Having saluted my mother and father and the whole circle of my kinsfolk, gone forth but seven days, I attained the three true knowledges (vijjā).
I know my own seven births — of that [deed] this is the fruit and result (vipāka). I shall declare it to you: listen to it with attentive mind.
In the city of Erakakaccha I was a goldsmith of abundant wealth; drunk with the intoxication of youth, I lay with another man's wife.
Passing away from there, I was cooked long in hell (niraya); and, done with that cooking, rising thence, I entered the womb of a she-monkey.
When I was but seven days born, a great ape, leader of the troop, castrated me. This was the fruit of that kamma — because I had gone to another's wife.
Passing away from there, having met my death, [I was conceived] in a forest of Sindh: I entered the womb of a one-eyed and lame she-goat.
For twelve years, castrated, I carried children about; worm-eaten and sickly — because I had gone to another's wife.
Passing away from there, I was born of a cow belonging to a cattle-dealer — a calf coppery-red like lac; at twelve months I was castrated.
Then I drew the plough and bore the cart; gone blind and sickly — because I had gone to another's wife.
Passing away from there, I was born in the street, in the house of a slave-woman — neither female nor male — because I had gone to another's wife.
In my thirtieth year I died, and was born a girl in a carter's family — poor, of scant means, much beset by the assaults of creditors.
Then, because of the vast interest that had piled up, a caravan merchant dragged me off wailing, tearing me from the family home.
Then, in my sixteenth year, seeing me a maiden come to the bloom of youth, his son, Giridāsa by name, took me [to wife].
He had another wife as well — virtuous, of good qualities, and of good repute, devoted to her husband; and against her I stirred up enmity.
This is the fruit of that kamma: that they cast me aside and go, though I wait upon them like a slave-woman. Even of that I have now made an end.
Isidāsī.
The Chapter of the Forties (Cattāḷīsanipāta) is concluded.
THE GREAT CHAPTER (MAHĀNIPĀTA) OF THE THERĪGĀTHĀ
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.