Translated by Bhihkkhu Bodhi
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Thus have I heard. On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Savatthi in Jeta’s Grove, Anathapiṇḍika’s Park.
Then, in the morning, the bhikkhuni Aḷavika dressed and, taking bowl and robe, entered Savatthi for alms. [331] When she had walked for alms in Savatthi and had returned from her alms round, after her meal she went to the Blind Men’s Grove seeking seclusion. [332]
Then Mara the Evil One, desiring to arouse fear, trepidation, and terror in the bhikkhuni Aḷavika, desiring to make her fall away from seclusion, approached her and addressed her in verse:
- “There is no escape in the world,
So what will you do with seclusion?
Enjoy the delights of sensual pleasure:
Don’t be remorseful later!”
Then the bhikkhuni Aḷavika, having understood, “This is Mara the Evil One,” replied to him in verses:
- “There is an escape in the world
Which I have closely touched with wisdom.
O Evil One, kinsman of the negligent,
You do not know that state. [333]
“Sensual pleasures are like swords and stakes;
The aggregates like their chopping block.
What you call sensual delight
Has become for me nondelight.”
Notes
[331] Thi does not ascribe any verses to a bhikkhuni named
Alavika, but two of the verses in this sutta are to be found
among SeIa's verses: v. 519 = Thi 57 and v. 521 = Thi 58.
Thi-a 60 confirms the identity of the two bhikkhunis,
explaining that Sela was called A!avika because she was
the daughter of the king of A!avaka . She heard the
Buddha preach and became a lay follower. Later she took
ordination as a nun and attained arahantship. See Pruitt,
Commentary on the Verses of the Theris, pp. 83-87.
[332] pk explains the origin of the name: After the parinibbana
of the Buddha Kassapa a lay disciple named Yasodhara,
while bringing money to build the cetiya for the relics,
was ambushed there and blinded by five hundred thieves.
Because Yasodhara was a noble disciple, the thieves
straightaway lost their own vision as an immediate kammic
result. They continued to dwell there and thus it became
known as the Blind Men's Grove. Bhikkhus and bhikkhunis
went there for seclusion. It was about three kilometres
south of Savatthi and was protected by royal guards.
[333] Strangely, this verse, the appropriate response to Mara's
taunt, is not found in Thi. Spk: The escape (nissarana) is
Nibbana. With wisdom (pannaa): with reviewing knowledge.
Spk-pt: The intention is: "How much more, then, with the
knowledge of the path and fruit?"
