Nāgasamāla Thera's Verse

Letting Go of Comfort

TheGentleLaw Community

The Theragāthā offers a unique insight into the struggles and triumphs of early Buddhist monks on their journey to enlightenment. Nāgasamāla Thera is remembered for his verses about renouncing comfort and embracing the challenges of monastic life. His poem teaches the importance of perseverance and detachment from worldly ease.

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The Poem

Pāli:
Ahaṁ bhogehi saṁsatto, kāmarāgena aṭṭito;
Tadāhaṁ pabbajiṁ bhikkhu, upajjhāyassa santike.

Sohaṁ padhānapahitatto, nisīdiṁ pabbatantare;
Mā me bhogehi saṁsaggaṁ, puna bhikkhu samācare.

Bhikkhu nānādumaggesu, gacchamāno anāvilo;
Yo saccaṁ addasa dhīro, so bhikkhu parinibbuto.

English Translation:
I was attached to wealth, tormented by desire;
Then I renounced and became a monk, under my teacher’s guidance.

With strong determination, I sat in the mountains;
May I never again be entangled in wealth and desires.

A monk who walks untroubled on different paths,
Sees the truth and attains final peace.

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Background and Context