Thig 5.6
Mittakali
translated from the Pali by
Thanissaro Bhikkhu
Going forth through conviction from home into homelessness, I wandered this place & that, greedy for gain & offerings. Missing out on the foremost goal, I pursued a lowly one. Under the sway of defilements I surrendered the goal of the contemplative life. Then, sitting in my dwelling, I suddenly came to my senses: I'm following a miserable path. I'm under the sway of craving. Next to nothing, my life — crushed by aging & illness. Before the body breaks apart, I have no time for heedlessness. After watching, as it actually was, the rising & falling of aggregates, I stood up with mind released, the Awakened One's bidding done.