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The Book of the Sixes

6.8 Vijayā Therī

After gaining a comprehensive Dhamma teaching from a wise bhikkhuni (elsewhere identified as her close friend in lay-life, Arahant Khemā), Vijayā gained victory over her disturbed mind, to attain the highest goal.

Catukkhattuṁ pañcakkhattuṁ,
vihārā upanikkhamiṁ;
Aladdhā cetaso santiṁ,
citte avasavattinī.

Four times, maybe five
I quit the monastery
Never gaining peace of heart
My mind out of control.

Bhikkhuniṁ upasaṅkamma,
sakkaccaṁ paripucchahaṁ;
Sā me dhammamadesesi,
dhātuāyatanāni ca.

Having approached a bhikkhuni
I respectfully interrogated her.
She pointed out to me the Dhamma –
(Four) elements, (six) sense bases

Cattāri ariyasaccāni,
indriyāni balāni ca;
Bojjhaṅgaṭṭhaṅgikaṁ maggaṁ,
uttamatthassa pattiyā.

Four noble truths
(Five) faculties & powers
(Seven) enlightenment factors and eightfold path –
To attain the highest goal.

Tassāhaṁ vacanaṁ sutvā,
karontī anusāsaniṁ;
Rattiyā purime yāme,
pubbajātimanussariṁ.

Having listened to her words
Doing her instruction…
In the first of the night:
Past-life recollection.

Rattiyā majjhime yāme,
dibbacakkhuṁ visodhayiṁ;
Rattiyā pacchime yāme,
tamokhandhaṁ padālayiṁ.

In the middle of the night:
Divine eye purified.
In the last of the night:
The mass of darkness destroyed.

Pītisukhena ca kāyaṁ,
Pharitvā vihariṁ tadā;
Sattamiyā pāde pasāresiṁ,
Tamokhandhaṁ padāliyā”ti.

Having pervaded this body with bliss and happiness
I then remained there;
On the seventh day I stretched my legs
Having destroyed the mass of darkness.

Chakkanipāto niṭṭhito.

The Book of the Sixes is finished.

Suttas

In the Vijayā Sutta, SN 5.4, this therī defeats Māra in debate.