thag.10.2 Theragatha

Ekavihāriya

If no-one else is found
in front or behind,
it’s extremely pleasant
to be dwelling alone in a forest grove.
Come now, I’ll go alone
to the wilderness praised by the Buddha.
It’s pleasant for a mendicant
to be dwelling alone and resolute.
Alone and self-disciplined,
I’ll quickly enter the delightful forest,
which gives joy to meditators,
and is frequented by rutting elephants.
In Sītavana, so full of flowers,
in a cool mountain cave,
I’ll bathe my limbs
and walk mindfully alone.
When will I dwell alone,
without a companion,
in the great wood, so delightful,
my task complete, free of defilements?
This is what I want to do:
may my wish succeed!
I’ll make it happen myself,
for no-one can do another’s duty.
Fastening my armor,
I’ll enter the forest.
I won’t leave
without attaining the end of defilements.
As the cool breeze blows
with fragrant scent,
I’ll split ignorance apart,
sitting on the mountain-peak.
In a forest grove covered with blossoms,
in a cave so very cool,
I take pleasure in the Mountainfold,
happy with the happiness of freedom.
I’ve got all I wished for
like the moon on the fifteenth day.
With the utter ending of all defilements,
now there’ll be no more future lives.