thig.5.12 Therigatha

Before, I had fallen on evil times:
no husband, no children,
no relatives, friends,
no way to obtain clothing & food.

So, taking a staff & bowl in hand,
begging for alms from house to house,
feverish from the cold & heat,
I wandered for seven full years.

Then seeing a nun
obtaining food & drink,
I approached her & said:
"Let me go forth into homelessness."

She, Patacara, from sympathy,
let me go forth;
then, exhorting me,
urged me on to the highest goal.

Hearing her words,
I did her bidding.
Her exhortation was not in vain.
I'm a three-knowledge woman,
fermentation-free.