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### Sutta Nipata I.1

# Uraga Sutta

# The Serpent

Translated from the Pali by Nyanaponika Thera.
For free distribution only.

Read an alternate translation by Thanissaro Bhikkhu

From The Worn-out Skin: Reflections on the Uraga Sutta (WH 241), translated by Nyanaponika Thera (Kandy: Buddhist Publication Society, 1989). Copyright ©1989 Buddhist Publication Society. Used with permission.

> He who can curb his wrath
> as soon as it arises,
> as a timely antidote will check
> snake's venom that so quickly spreads,
> -- such a monk gives up the here and the beyond,
> just as a serpent sheds its worn-out skin.

> He who entirely cuts off his lust
> as entering a pond one uproots lotus plants,
> -- such a monk gives up the here and the beyond,
> just as a serpent sheds its worn-out skin.

> He who entirely cuts off his craving
> by drying up its fierce and rapid flow,
> -- such a monk gives up the here and the beyond,
> just as a serpent sheds its worn-out skin.

> He who entirely blots out conceit
> as the wind demolishes a fragile bamboo bridge,
> -- such a monk gives up the here and the beyond,
> just as a serpent sheds its worn-out skin.

> He who does not find core or substance
> in any of the realms of being,
> like flowers which are vainly sought
> in fig trees that bear none,
> -- such a monk gives up the here and the beyond,
> just as a serpent sheds its worn-out skin.

> He who bears no grudges in his heart,
> transcending all this "thus" and "otherwise,"
> -- such a monk gives up the here and the beyond,
> just as a serpent sheds its worn-out skin.

> He who has burned out his evil thoughts,
> entirely cut them off within his heart,
> -- such a monk gives up the here and the beyond, just as the
> serpent sheds its worn-out skin.

> He who neither goes too far nor lags behind,
> entirely transcending the diffuseness of the world,
> -- such a monk gives up the here and the beyond,
> just as a serpent sheds its worn-out skin.

> He who neither goes too far nor lags behind
> and knows about the world: "This is all unreal,"
> -- such a monk gives up the here and the beyond,
> just as a serpent sheds its worn-out skin.

> He who neither goes too far nor lags behind,
> greedless he knows: "This is all unreal,"
> -- such a monk gives up the here and the beyond,
> just as a serpent sheds its worn-out skin.

> He who neither goes too far nor lags behind,
> lust-free he knows: "This is all unreal,"
> -- such a monk gives up the here and the beyond,
> just as a serpent sheds its worn-out skin.

> He who neither goes too far nor lags behind,
> hate-free he knows: "This is all unreal,"
> -- such a monk gives up the here and the beyond,
> just as a serpent sheds its worn-out skin.

> He who neither goes too far nor lags behind,
> delusion-free he knows: "This is all unreal,"
> -- such a monk gives up the here and the beyond,
> just as a serpent sheds its worn-out skin.

> He who has no dormant tendencies whatever,
> whose unwholesome roots have been expunged,
> -- such a monk gives up the here and the beyond,
> just as a serpent sheds its worn-out skin.

> States born of anxiety he harbors none
> which may condition his return to earth,
> -- such a monk gives up the here and the beyond,
> just as a serpent sheds its worn-out skin.

> States born of attachment he harbors none
> which cause his bondage to existence,
> -- such a monk gives up the here and the beyond,
> just as a serpent sheds its worn-out skin.

> He who has the five hindrances discarded,
> doubt-free and serene, and free of inner barbs,
> -- such a monk gives up the here and the beyond,
> just as a serpent sheds its worn-out skin.

Revised: Mon 10 September 2001