Thag 6:10 Sumana the Novice
When I was seven
& newly gone forth,
having conquered with my power
the great powerful serpent,
I was fetching water for my preceptor
from the great lake, Anotatta,1
when the Teacher saw me & said:
“Look, Sāriputta, at that one,
the young boy coming there,
carrying a pot of water,
well-centered within,
his practices—inspiring;
his bearing—admirable.
He’s Anuruddha’s novice,
mature in his powers,
made thoroughbred by a thoroughbred,
good by one who is good,
tamed by Anuruddha,
trained by one whose task
is done.
He, having reached the highest peace
& realized the unshakable,
Sumana the novice
wants this:
‘Don’t let anyone know me.’”
Note
1. Anotatta: A fabulous lake located in the Himalayas, famed for the purity of its cool waters. Sumana would have had to use his psychic powers to fetch water from there.
