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Verses of the Elder Bhikkhunīs Chapter of the Fives Verses of the Elder Sīhā “Not applying the mind to see the origin of things, I was afflicted with longing to gratify the senses. I was restless, and I had no power over the mind. Overwhelmed by defilements, I chased anything attractive. Controlled by craving, I could not attain tranquility of mind. Emaciated, ugly, feeble, I wandered for seven years, never finding happiness by day or by night, full of suffering. Then I took a rope and entered into the forest. Better for me to be strangled here than to go back to the inferior life. I made a strong noose, and hung it from the branch of a tree. As soon as I placed the noose around my neck my mind was liberated.” The Elder Sīhā