PSALMS OF THE BRETHREN
Canto II.
Psalms of Two Verses
CXXVIII.
Surādha
Translated from the Pali by Mrs. C.A.F. Rhys Davids.
Public Domain
[Pali]
Reborn in this Buddha-age as the younger brother of the aforesaid Rādha, he followed his elder brother's example, and became an arahant also. To show the saving guidance of the Rule, he declared aññā thus:
[135] All coming back to birth is now destroyed.
The Conqueror's Rule hath guided all my ways.[1]
That which we call the Net have I put off;[2]
The lust that leads to life is rooted out.
[136] And the great quest, for which I left the world,
Forsaking home a homeless life to lead,
Even that quest and high reward I've won,
For I am he whose bonds are riven in twain.[3]
[1] 'The holy life of the Path has been lived by me' (Commentary).
[2] Cf. Dhammapada, verse 251; Saṇy., iii. 83. Commentary, 'net = error, ignorance.' More usually it = craving, or sense. Surādha is possibly the listener in one discourse of the Saṃyutta (iii. 79)
[3] CCX., 380.
