Therigatha1.17

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Adapted from Archaic Translation By Mrs. Rhys Davids 1909

Compared with the Pali Tipitaka at www.tipitaka.org

1.17 Dhamma, Daughter of a Clansman of Savatthi

She, too, having made her resolve under former Buddhas, and accumulating merit in this and that state of becoming, was, in this Buddha-period, born in a respectable family at Savatthi. She was given in marriage to a suitable husband,but she developed faith in the path of Buddha, and desired to leave the world(to become nun), but her husband would not consent. So she waited till after his death, and then entered the Order and practiced Vipassana[1] (meditation). One day, returning to the Vihara(monastery) from seeking alms, she lost her balance and fell. Making just that her theme of meditation her Vipassana[1] grew, she won Arahantship (enlightenment equal to Buddha). And then she uttered this verse:

Far had I wandered for my daily food; Weary with shaking limbs I reached my rest, Leaning upon my staff, when even there I fell to earth.–Lo! all the misery Besetting this poor mortal frame lay bare To inward vision. Prone the body lay; The mind of me rose up in liberty(vimucchi/vimukti). (17)

[1] Vipassana : This refers to the foremost insight meditation called 'Vipassana'  taught by Buddha in which attention is focussed on inner phenomenon (breath,body,emotions, sensations & mind) with detachment (samata/equanimity) leading to self-awakening & enlightenment.