Verses of the Senior Monks 6.1

The Book of the Sixes

Chapter One

Uruveḷakassapa

Seeing the demonstrations
of the renowned Gotama
was not enough for me to bow to him—
I was blinded by jealousy and conceit.

Knowing my thoughts,
the trainer of men scolded me.
I was struck with a sense of urgency,
so astonishing and hair-raising!

Rejecting the petty powers
I had before as a matted-hair ascetic,
I then went forth
in the victor’s instruction.

I used to be content with sacrifice,
the realm of sensual pleasures was my priority.
But later I eradicated desire,
and hatred and also delusion.

I know my past lives;
my clairvoyance is clarified;
I have psychic powers, and know the minds of others;
I have attained clairaudience.

I’ve attained the goal
for the sake of which I went forth
from the lay life to homelessness—
the ending of all fetters.