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Verse 395: The Story of Kisagotami

While residing at the Gijjhakuta hill, the Buddha uttered Verse (395) of this book, with
reference to Kisagotami.

On one occasion, Sakka, king of the devas, came with his followers to pay homage to the
Buddha. At the same lime, Theri Kisagotami, by her supernormal power came through the
sky to pay homage to the Buddha. But when she saw Sakka and his entourage paying
homage to the Buddha, she retreated. Sakka seeing her, asked the Buddha, who the lady
was, and the Buddha replied, "O Sakka! She is my daughter Kisagotami. Once, she came to
me in sorrow and distress through the loss of her son and I made her see the impermanent,
the unsatisfactory and the non-self nature of all conditioned things. As a consequence of
that, she attained Sotapatti Fruition, joined the Order, and became an Arahat. She is one
of my eminent female disciples and is matchless in the ascetic practice of wearing robes
made from rags collected from a dust heap." Then the Buddha spoke in verse as follows:

Verse 395: Him I call a brahmana, who wears robes made from rags (picked up from a dust
heap), who is lean with veins standing out, who meditates alone in the forest.

Translated by Daw Mya Tin, M.A.,
Burma Pitaka Association, Rangoon, Burma 1986.