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Thig 6:3 Khemā
In SN 5:4, a variation of the verse attributed to Māra, and the first verse attributed here to Sister Khemā, are included in a poem attributed to Sister Vijayā (see Thig 6:8). Sister Khema’s second verse is attributed to Sister Aḷavikā in SN 5:1. Her third verse also appears in Thig 7:2; its first half, in SN 5:3.
Māra:
“You, a beautiful young woman;
I, a young man, full of youth.
Come, Khemā,
let’s enjoy ourselves
to the music of a five-piece band.”
Khemā:
“I’m disgusted, ashamed
of this putrid body—
disintegrating, dissolving.
Sensual craving
is rooted out.
Sensual pleasures
are like swords & spears;
the aggregates,
their executioner’s block.
What you call sensual delight
is no delight for me.
Everywhere enjoyment
is defeated;
the mass of darkness,
burst.
So know, Evil One,
that you have been,
End-maker,
struck down.”
* * *
Paying homage to the zodiac stars,
tending the fire in the forest,
not knowing it as it actually was,
fools, you conceived it
as purity.
Whereas I
am one who pays homage
to the One Self-awakened,
the utmost man.
I’m one who has done the Teacher’s bidding,
entirely released
from sufferings & stress.