PSALMS OF THE BRETHREN
Canto I.
Psalms of Single Verses
LXXXIV
Nīta
Translated from the Pali by Mrs. C.A.F. Rhys Davids.
Public Domain
Reborn in this Buddha-age at Sāvatthī as the son of a brahmin, he was called Nīta. When grown up he thought: 'These Sākiyan recluses are very lucky in that they are well provided with all necessaries. It is a happy life, that of a member of the Order.' So he entered it to get pleasure from it, paid scant attention to his exercise, ate his fill, spent the day in idle talk, and slept all night long. But the Master discerned the ripeness of his antecedents, and gave him this verse in admonition:
[84] Thou all the night to slumber given o'er,
Who lov'st the day 'mid chattering crowds to spend: -
Dost deem that thou this way at any time,
Poor silly fool, of Ill shalt make an end?[1]
Agitated by the Master's words, he settled to develop insight, and not long after attained arahantship. He then confessed aññā in repeating this verse.
[1] Dummedha dukkhass'antaɱ karisassīti pi Pāli. Cy.
