PSALMS OF THE BRETHREN

Canto I.
Psalms of Single Verses

LXXXVIII
Ajjuna

Translated from the Pali by Mrs. C.A.F. Rhys Davids.

[idx][pali]

Public Domain

 

He was reborn in this Buddha-age at Sāvatthī, in the family of a councillor, and named Ajjuna. When grown up he came into contact with the Jains, and entered their Order very young, thinking among them to win salvation.^[1] But finding there nothing to satisfy him,^[2] he met the Master, believed, entered his Order, and anon won arahant-ship. Then in rapture at his attainment, he burst forth in this verse:

[88] 0 wonder that I found the power to draw
Myself forth from the waters on dry land.
Borne drifting on the awful flood I learnt
To know the Truths, their truth to understand.

 

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^[1] Lit., Ambrosia, Amata, or Nibbāna.

^[2] Lit., no pith or kernel, the usual metaphor for no truth or genuineness.