Theragāthā

Verses of the Senior Monks

Chapter of the Threes

3.9. Yaso­ja

“With knobbly knees,
Thin, with veins matted on his skin,
Eating and drinking in moderation—
This person’s spirit is undaunted.”

“Pestered by gadflies and mosquitoes
In the awesome wilderness;
One should mindfully endure,
Like an elephant at the head of the battle.

A monk alone is like Brahmā;
A pair of monks are like devas;
Three are like a village;
And more than that is a rabble.”