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# Therigatha

## Chapter XII -- The Sixteens

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XII -- Punnika and the Brahman {vv. 236-251}
[Thanissaro Bhikkhu, trans.]

[Punnika:]

> I'm a water-carrier, cold,
> always going down to the water
> from fear of my mistresses' beatings,
> harrassed by their anger & words.
> But you, Brahman,
> what do you fear
> that you're always going down to the water
> with shivering limbs, feeling great cold?

[The Brahman:]

> Punnika, surely you know.
> You're asking one doing skillful kamma
> & warding off evil.
> Whoever, young or old, does evil kamma
> is, through water ablution,
> from evil kamma set free.

[Punnika:]

> Who taught you this
> -- the ignorant to the ignorant --
> 'One, through water ablution,
> is from evil kamma set free?'
> In that case, they'd all go to heaven:
> all the frogs, turtles,
> serpents, crocodiles,
> & anything else that lives in the water.
> Sheep-butchers, pork-butchers,
> fishermen, trappers,
> thieves, executioners,
> & any other evil doers,
> would, through water ablution,
> be from evil kamma set free.

> If these rivers could carry off
> the evil kamma you've done in the past,
> they'd carry off your merit as well,
> and then you'd be
> completely left out.
> Whatever it is that you fear,
> that you're always going down to the water,
> don't do it.
> Don't let the cold hurt your skin."

[The Brahman:]

> I've been following the miserable path, good lady,
> and now you've brought me
> back to the noble.
> I give you this robe for water-ablution.

[Punnika:]

> Let the robe be yours. I don't need it.
> If you're afraid of pain,
> if you dislike pain,
> then don't do any evil kamma,
> in open, in secret.
> But if you do or will do
> any evil kamma,
> you'll gain no freedom from pain,
> even if you fly up & hurry away.
> If you're afraid of pain,
> if you dislike pain,
> go to the Awakened One for refuge,
> go to the Dhamma & Sangha.
> Take on the precepts:
> That will lead to your liberation.

[The Brahman:]

> I go to the Awakened One for refuge;
> I go to the Dhamma & Sangha.
> I take on the precepts:
> That will lead to my liberation.

> Before, I was a kinsman to Brahma;
> now, truly a brahman.
> I'm a three-knowledge man.
> consummate in knowledge,
> safe & washed clean.

Revised: Fri 12 April 2002