Theragāthā

Verses of the Senior Monks

Chapter of the Fours

4.9. Canda­na

Covered with gold,
Surrounded by all her maids,
With my son upon her hip,
My wife came up to me.

I saw her coming,
The mother of my son,
Adorned with jewellery and all dressed up,
Like a snare of death laid down.

Then the realization
Came upon me—
The danger became clear,
And I was firmly repulsed.

Then my mind was liberated—
See the excellence of the Dhamma!
I’ve attained the three knowledges,
And fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions.