Thig 13.1 PTS: Thig 252-270- Ambapali

Tipitaka >> Sutta Pitaka >> Khuddaka Nikaya >> Therigatha >> Ambapali

Thig 13.1 PTS: Thig 252-270- Ambapali
Black was my hair — the color of bees — & curled at the tips; with age, it looked like coarse hemp. The truth of the Truth-speaker's words doesn't change.

Fragrant, like a perfumed basket filled with flowers: With age it smelled musty, like animal fur. The truth of the Truth-speaker's words doesn't change.

Thick & lush, like a well-tended grove, made splendid, the tips elaborate with comb & pin. With age, it grew thin <p style="text-align:center;">& bare here & there. <p style="text-align:center;">The truth of the Truth-speaker's words <p style="text-align:center;">doesn't change.

<p style="text-align:center;">Adorned with gold & delicate pins, <p style="text-align:center;">it was splendid, ornamented with braids. <p style="text-align:center;">Now, with age, <p style="text-align:center;">that head has gone bald. <p style="text-align:center;">The truth of the Truth-speaker's words <p style="text-align:center;">doesn't change.

<p style="text-align:center;">Curved, as if well-drawn by an artist, <p style="text-align:center;">my brows were once splendid. <p style="text-align:center;">With age, they droop down in folds. <p style="text-align:center;">The truth of the Truth-speaker's words <p style="text-align:center;">doesn't change.

<p style="text-align:center;">Radiant, brilliant like jewels, <p style="text-align:center;">my eyes: <p style="text-align:center;">With age, they're no longer splendid. <p style="text-align:center;">The truth of the Truth-speaker's words <p style="text-align:center;">doesn't change.

<p style="text-align:center;">Like a delicate peak, my nose <p style="text-align:center;">was splendid in the prime of my youth. <p style="text-align:center;">With age, it's like a long pepper. <p style="text-align:center;">The truth of the Truth-speaker's words <p style="text-align:center;">doesn't change.

<p style="text-align:center;">Like bracelets — well-fashioned, well-finished — <p style="text-align:center;">my ears were once splendid. <p style="text-align:center;">With age, they droop down in folds. <p style="text-align:center;">The truth of the Truth-speaker's words <p style="text-align:center;">doesn't change.

<p style="text-align:center;">Like plaintain buds in their color, <p style="text-align:center;">my teeth were once splendid. <p style="text-align:center;">With age, they're broken & yellowed. <p style="text-align:center;">The truth of the Truth-speaker's words <p style="text-align:center;">doesn't change.

<p style="text-align:center;">Like that of a cuckoo in the dense jungle, <p style="text-align:center;">flitting through deep forest thickets: <p style="text-align:center;">sweet was the tone of my voice. <p style="text-align:center;">With age, it cracks here & there. <p style="text-align:center;">The truth of the Truth-speaker's words <p style="text-align:center;">doesn't change.

<p style="text-align:center;">Smooth — like a conch shell well-polished — <p style="text-align:center;">my neck was once splendid. <p style="text-align:center;">With age, it's broken down, bent. <p style="text-align:center;">The truth of the Truth-speaker's words <p style="text-align:center;">doesn't change.

<p style="text-align:center;">Like rounded door-bars — both of them — <p style="text-align:center;">my arms were once splendid. <p style="text-align:center;">With age, they're like dried up patali trees. <p style="text-align:center;">The truth of the Truth-speaker's words <p style="text-align:center;">doesn't change.

<p style="text-align:center;">Adorned with gold & delicate rings, <p style="text-align:center;">my hands were once splendid. <p style="text-align:center;">With age, they're like onions & tubers. <p style="text-align:center;">The truth of the Truth-speaker's words <p style="text-align:center;">doesn't change.

<p style="text-align:center;">Swelling, round, firm, & high, <p style="text-align:center;">both my breasts were once splendid. <p style="text-align:center;">In the drought of old age, they dangle <p style="text-align:center;">like empty old water bags. <p style="text-align:center;">The truth of the Truth-speaker's words <p style="text-align:center;">doesn't change.

<p style="text-align:center;">Like a sheet of gold, well-burnished, <p style="text-align:center;">my body was splendid. <p style="text-align:center;">Now it's covered with very fine wrinkles. <p style="text-align:center;">The truth of the Truth-speaker's words <p style="text-align:center;">doesn't change.

<p style="text-align:center;">Smooth in their lines, like an elephant's trunk, <p style="text-align:center;">both my thighs were once splendid. <p style="text-align:center;">With age, they're like knotted bamboo. <p style="text-align:center;">The truth of the Truth-speaker's words <p style="text-align:center;">doesn't change.

<p style="text-align:center;">Adorned with gold & delicate anklets, <p style="text-align:center;">my calves were once splendid. <p style="text-align:center;">With age, they're like sesame sticks. <p style="text-align:center;">The truth of the Truth-speaker's words <p style="text-align:center;">doesn't change.

<p style="text-align:center;">As if they were stuffed with soft cotton, <p style="text-align:center;">both my feet were once splendid. <p style="text-align:center;">With age, they're shriveled & cracked. <p style="text-align:center;">The truth of the Truth-speaker's words <p style="text-align:center;">doesn't change.

<p style="text-align:center;">Such was this physical heap, <p style="text-align:center;">now: <p style="text-align:center;">A house with its plaster all fallen off. <p style="text-align:center;">The truth of the Truth-speaker's words <p style="text-align:center;">doesn't change.