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Thag 4.1

Nāgasamāla

Nāgasamālattheragāthā

from: The Book of the Fours

Chapter One

Nāgasamāla

Adorned with jewelry and all dressed up,
with garlands, and sandalwood makeup piled on,
along the main street is a lady—
a dancer dancing as the music plays.

I entered for alms,
and while walking along I glanced at her,
adorned with jewelry and all dressed up,
set up like a snare of death.

Then the realization
came upon me—
the danger became clear,
and I grew firmly disillusioned.

Then my mind was freed—
behold the clear rightness of the teaching!
I’ve attained the three knowledges
and fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions.

Translation: German (Ayyā Sabbamittā), English (Bhikkhu Sujato). Source: SuttaCentral / Bilara (public domain, CC0).

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