← Sutta collectionTHIG5.12Verses of the Senior Nuns 5.12SuttaCentral (Bhikkhu Sujato translation)Select any verse to keep it — saved passages go to your Dhamma Deck, the same one the app uses.Verses of the Senior Nuns 5.12The Book of the FivesCandāI used to be in a sorry state.As a childless widow,bereft of friends or relatives,I got neither food nor clothes.I took a bowl and a staffand went begging from family to family.For seven years I wandered,burned by heat and cold.Then I saw a nunreceiving food and drink.Approaching her, I said:“Send me forth to homelessness.”Out of sympathy for me,Paṭācārā gave me the going forth.Then, having advised me,she urged me on to the ultimate goal.After hearing her words,I did her bidding.The lady’s advice was not in vain:master of the three knowledges,I am free of defilements.