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!

Setting aside 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.