“Intoxicated with this beautiful body,
as well as glory and success,
relying on my youth,
I despised anyone who was not my equal.
Dressed up in flashy outfits,
prattling on,
I stood at the entrance of the pleasure house,
like a hunter setting traps.
I showed off my assets,
I often exposed my private parts,
I deceived people in many ways,
and I made fun of many a person.
Today I walk for alms,
with a shaven-head, wrapped in the outer robe.
Seated at the root of a tree,
I attain the absence of thought.
All attachments have been cut off,
both divine and human.
Having cast away all influences,
I have become cool and quenched.”
Read this translation of Therīgāthā 5.2 Vimalātherīgāthā: Verses of the Elder Vimalā by Ayya Soma on SuttaCentral.net. Or read a different translation on SuttaCentral.net, SuttaFriends.org or DhammaTalks.org. Or listen on SC-Voice.net.