A Theri's Voice Across Time

Reflections on Theragatha and Rilke https://thegentlelaw.wordpress.com

Theragatha Poem in Focus: Kisagotami's Voice

In Theragatha, each poem carries the unique imprint of a life transformed by wisdom. Today, I invite you to sit with a lesser-known but deeply moving verse attributed to Kisagotami, a woman whose journey from grief to liberation resonates profoundly even in our modern lives.

The Pali Verse

Kisagotami Theri Gatha (Therigatha 213–214)

“Parinibbuto thitimatī,
svāgataṃ yuttamāyati,
yassāyaṃ dhammapariyāyo,
mayhaṃ pāvacano ahu.”

"Truly at peace, steadfast,
well-gone and wisely arrived—
This teaching has become mine,
a truth I now proclaim."

This brief poem encapsulates the transformation of Kisagotami, famously known for her poignant encounter with the Buddha after losing her child. While her earlier story emphasizes her desperation and eventual understanding of impermanence, this verse reveals a quiet triumph. She has embraced peace and is now a vessel of truth.

The verse reflects the quintessential Buddhist journey: the transcendence of personal suffering …