Therigatha3.8

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Adapted from Archaic Translation By Mrs. Rhys Davids 1909

Compared with the Pali Tipitaka at www.tipitaka.org

3.8 Soma, Daughter of a Brahmin, Priest to the King of Magadha(Bimbisara)

She, too, having lived in the past as the previous Theris, was, in the time of Sikhi Buddha, [1] reborn in the family of an eminent noble, and, when grown up, was made the chief wife of the King Arunava. The story of her past is similar to that of Theri Abhaya. The story of her present is that, in this Buddha-era, she was reborn as the daughter of the priest of King Bimbisara at Rajagaha, and named Soma. Come to years of discretion, she came to believe in the Master(Buddha) in her own home, and became a lay-disciple. And later on, self compelled, she entered the Order of Bhikkhunis, and, working her way in insight meditation (Vipassana[2]), she not long after won Arahantship(enlightenment equal to Buddha), with thorough grasp of the Dhamma(path of eternal truth) in letter and in spirit.

Then, dwelling at Savatthi in the bliss of enlightenment(vimutti, vimukti), she went forth one day meditate in the Dark Grove(Andha-vanam), and sat down beneath a tree. And Mara(devil), alone, and wishing to interrupt her with lust, approached her, invisible and in the air, saying:

That vantage-ground the sages may attain is hard To reach. With her two-finger consciousness That is no woman competent to gain! (60) For women, from the age of seven or eight, boiling rice at all times, know not the moment when the rice is cooked, but must take some grains in a spoon and press it with two fingers; hence the expression 'two-finger' sense. Then the Elder rebuked Mara(devil): How should the woman's nature hinder us? Whose minds are firmly set, who ever move With growing knowledge onward in the Path? What can that signify to one in whom Insight does truly comprehend the Dhamma(path of eternal truth)? (61) In every way the love of pleasure is removed, And the part of ignorance within is removed Know this, O Evil One, hence! Here, O Destroyer, you shall not prevail. (62)

[1] Second of the Seven Buddhas.

[2] 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.