The Book of the Forties

Isidāsī

thig15.1:1 In Pāṭaliputta, the cream of the world, the city named for a flower, there were two nuns from the Sakyan clan, both of them ladies of quality.

thig15.1:2 One was named Isidāsī, the second Bodhī. They both were accomplished in ethics, lovers of meditation and chanting, learned, crushing corruptions.

thig15.1:3 They wandered for alms and had their meal. When they had washed their bowls, they sat happily in a private place and started a conversation.

thig15.1:4 “You’re so lovely, Mistress Isidāsī, your youth has not yet faded. What problem did you see that made you dedicate your life to renunciation?”

thig15.1:5 Being pressed like this in private, Isidāsī, skilled in teaching Dhamma, voiced the following words. “Bodhī, hear how I went forth.

thig15.1:6 In the fine town of Ujjenī, my father was a financier, a good and moral man. I was his only daughter, dear, beloved, and cherished.

thig15.1:7 Then some suitors came for me from the top family of Sāketa. They were sent by a financier abounding in wealth, to whom my father then gave me as daughter-in-law.

thig15.1:8 Come morning and come evening, I bowed with my head to the feet of my father and mother-in-law, just as I had been told.

thig15.1:9 Whenever I saw my husband’s sisters, his brothers, his servants, or even he, my one and only, I nervously gave them a seat.

thig15.1:10 Whatever they wanted—food and drink, treats, or whatever was in the cupboard— I brought out and offered to them, ensuring each got what was fitting.

thig15.1:11 Having risen bright and early, I approached the main house, washed my hands and feet, and went to my husband with cupped palms.

thig15.1:12 Taking a comb, adornments, eyeshadow, and a mirror, I myself did the makeup for my husband, as if I were his beautician.

thig15.1:13 I myself cooked the rice; I myself washed the pots. I looked after my husband like a mother her only child.

thig15.1:14 Thus I showed my devotion to him, a loyal, virtuous, and humble servant, getting up early, and working tirelessly: yet still my husband did me wrong.

thig15.1:15 He said to his mother and father: ‘I’ll take my leave and go, I can’t stand to live together with Isidāsī staying in the same house.’

thig15.1:16 ‘Son, don’t speak like this! Isidāsī is astute and competent, she gets up early and works tirelessly, son, why doesn’t she please you?’

thig15.1:17 ‘She hasn’t done anything to hurt me, but I just can’t stand to live with her. As far as I’m concerned, she’s just detestable. I’ve had enough, I’ll take my leave and go.’

thig15.1:18 When they heard his words, my father-in-law and mother-in-law asked me: ‘What did you do wrong? Boldly tell how it occurred.’

thig15.1:19 ‘I’ve done nothing wrong, I haven’t hurt him, or said anything bad. What can I possibly do, when my husband finds me so hateful?’

thig15.1:20 They led me back to my father’s home, distraught, overcome with suffering, and said: ‘By caring for our son, we’ve lost her, so lovely and lucky!’

thig15.1:21 Next my dad gave me to the household of a second wealthy family-man. For this he got half the bride-price of that which the financier paid.

thig15.1:22 In his house I also lived a month, before he too wanted me gone; though I served him like a slave, virtuous and doing no wrong.

thig15.1:23 My father then spoke to a beggar for alms, a tamer of others and of himself: ‘Be my son-in-law; set aside your tonsure-cloth and pot.’

thig15.1:24 He stayed a fortnight before he said to my dad: ‘Give me back my tonsure-cloth, my pot and my mug— I’ll wander begging again.’

thig15.1:25 So then my mum and my dad and my whole group of relatives said: ‘What has not been done for you here? Quickly, tell us what we can do for you!’

thig15.1:26 When they spoke to him like this he said, ‘If I can make do for myself, that is enough. I can’t stand to live together with Isidāsī staying in the same house.’

thig15.1:27 Released, he left. But I sat all alone contemplating: ‘Having taken my leave, I’ll go, either to die or to go forth.’

thig15.1:28 But then Mistress Jinadattā, learned and virtuous, who had memorized the monastic law, came resorting to my dad’s house for alms.

thig15.1:29 When I saw her, I rose from my seat and prepared it for her. When she had taken her seat, I honored her feet and offered her a meal,

thig15.1:30 satiating her with food and drink, treats, or whatever was in the cupboard. Then I said: ‘Ma’am, I wish to go forth!’

thig15.1:31 But my dad said to me: ‘Child, practice Dhamma right here then! With food and drink satisfy ascetics and the twice-born.’

thig15.1:32 Then I said to my dad, crying, my cupped palms raised to him: ‘I’ve done bad things in the past; I shall wear that bad deed away.’

thig15.1:33 And my dad said to me: ‘May you attain awakening, the highest state, and may you find the extinguishment that was realized by the best of men!’

thig15.1:34 I bowed down to my mother and father, and my whole group of relatives; and then, seven days after going forth, I realized the three knowledges.

thig15.1:35 I know my last seven lives; I shall relate to you the deeds of which this life is the fruit and result: focus your whole mind on that.

thig15.1:36 In the city of Erakacca I was a goldsmith with lots of money. Drunk on the pride of youth, I had sex with someone else’s wife.

thig15.1:37 After those days had passed, I burned in hell for a long time. Rising up from there I was conceived in a monkey’s womb.

thig15.1:38 When I was only seven days old, I was castrated by the monkey chief. This was the fruit of that deed, because of adultery with another’s wife.

thig15.1:39 Having passed away from there, passing away in Sindhava grove, I was conceived in the womb of a lame, one-eyed she-goat.

thig15.1:40 I carried children on my back for twelve years, and all the while I was castrated, worm-eaten, and tail-less, because of adultery with another’s wife.

thig15.1:41 After those days had passed, my lot was that of a cow owned by a cattle merchant. A red calf, castrated, for twelve months

thig15.1:42 I drew a big plow. I shouldered a cart, blind, tail-less, feeble, because of adultery with another’s wife.

thig15.1:43 Having passed away from there, I was born of a slave in the street, with neither male nor female parts, because of adultery with another’s wife.

thig15.1:44 At thirty years of age I was brought low, my lot that of a girl in a carter’s family. We were poor, of little wealth, greatly oppressed by creditors.

thig15.1:45 Because of the massive interest we owed, I was dragged away screaming, taken by force from the family home by a caravan leader.

thig15.1:46 When I was sixteen years old, seeing I was a girl of marriageable age, his son confined me as his wife— Giridāsa was his name.

thig15.1:47 He also had another wife, a virtuous and well-known lady of quality, loyal to her husband; yet I stirred up resentment in her.

thig15.1:48 As the fruit of that deed, they abandoned me and left, though I served them like a slave. Now I’ve made an end to this as well.”