Theragāthā — Versos dos Monges Anciãos — 16.7 — Kāḷigodhāputtabhaddiya

1I rode on an elephant’s neck,
wearing luxurious clothes.
I ate boiled fine rice
with pure meat sauce.

2Today I am fortunate, persistent,
happy with the scraps in my bowl:
Bhaddiya son of Godhā
practices absorption without grasping.

3Wearing rags, persistent,
happy with the scraps in my bowl:
Bhaddiya son of Godhā
practices absorption without grasping.

4Living on almsfood, persistent,
happy with the scraps in my bowl:
Bhaddiya son of Godhā
practices absorption without grasping.

5Possessing only three robes, persistent,
happy with the scraps in my bowl:
Bhaddiya son of Godhā
practices absorption without grasping.

6Wandering for alms indiscriminately, persistent,
happy with the scraps in my bowl:
Bhaddiya son of Godhā
practices absorption without grasping.

7Sitting alone, persistent,
happy with the scraps in my bowl:
Bhaddiya son of Godhā
practices absorption without grasping.

8Eating only what’s put in the alms-bowl, persistent,
happy with the scraps in my bowl:
Bhaddiya son of Godhā
practices absorption without grasping.

9Never eating too late, persistent,
happy with the scraps in my bowl:
Bhaddiya son of Godhā
practices absorption without grasping.

10Living in the wilderness, persistent,
happy with the scraps in my bowl:
Bhaddiya son of Godhā
practices absorption without grasping.

11Living at the foot of a tree, persistent,
happy with the scraps in my bowl:
Bhaddiya son of Godhā
practices absorption without grasping.

12Living in the open, persistent,
happy with the scraps in my bowl:
Bhaddiya son of Godhā
practices absorption without grasping.

13Living in a charnel ground, persistent,
happy with the scraps in my bowl:
Bhaddiya son of Godhā
practices absorption without grasping.

14Accepting whatever seat is offered, persistent,
happy with the scraps in my bowl:
Bhaddiya son of Godhā
practices absorption without grasping.

15Not lying down to sleep, persistent,
happy with the scraps in my bowl:
Bhaddiya son of Godhā
practices absorption without grasping.

16Few in wishes, persistent,
happy with the scraps in my bowl:
Bhaddiya son of Godhā
practices absorption without grasping.

17Content, persistent,
happy with the scraps in my bowl:
Bhaddiya son of Godhā
practices absorption without grasping.

18Secluded, persistent,
happy with the scraps in my bowl:
Bhaddiya son of Godhā
practices absorption without grasping.

19Aloof, persistent,
happy with the scraps in my bowl:
Bhaddiya son of Godhā
practices absorption without grasping.

20Energetic, persistent,
happy with the scraps in my bowl:
Bhaddiya son of Godhā
practices absorption without grasping.

21Giving up a hundred ounces of bronze,
and a hundred grains of gold,
I took a bowl made of clay:
this is my second initiation.

22I used to live in a citadel with walls so high,
with battlements strong and gates,
all guarded by swordsmen—
and yet I was afraid.

23Today I am fortunate, free of cowardice,
with fear and dread given up.
Bhaddiya son of Godhā
has plunged into the forest and practices absorption.

24Established in the entire spectrum of ethics,
developing mindfulness and wisdom,
gradually I attained
the ending of all fetters.