Gone forth in the dispensation
of the Blessed One, Vipassi,
and of Sikhi and Vessabhu,
the Sage Kakusandha Buddha,
Konāgamana, Neutral One,
and of the Buddha Kassapa,
I’m a nun endowed with morals,
clever, with senses well-controlled.

Learned bearer of the Teaching,
asker of the Teaching’s meaning,
studier of, listener to
and worshipper of the Teaching,

amidst the people I’m preaching
in the Victor’s dispensation.
Because of my profound learning,
I despised kind associates.

And now, in my final rebirth,
I am a water-jug slave-girl,
born in Śrāvasti, best city,
in Anāthapiṇḍika’s house.

Gone bearing a load of water,
I saw an erudite brahmin,
standing in the water, chilly.
After seeing him I said this:

“Bearing water I always go
down to the water in the cold,
scared with fear of the master’s stick,
oppressed by fear of faults called out.

Of what are you afraid, brahmin?
Limbs shivering you always go
down to the water, so much cold
being experienced by you.”

“You certainly know, Puṇṇikā.
You are asking me who’s doing
wholesome karma and warding off
karma with evil consequence.

Whether he is old is young,
one who performs evil karma,
just by sprinkling himself with water,
is freed from that evil karma.”

I spoke a verse of Dhamma to
him coming out of the water.
Hearing that he was very moved;
gone forth, he was an arahant.

When I was born in the slave clan,
I completed the full hundred.
Therefore they named me “Completer,”
and freed me from my slavery.

Getting the millionaire’s consent,
I went forth into homelessness.
After not a very long time,
I attained my arahantship.

I’ve mastered the superpowers
like the “divine ear” element.
I’m also a master, Great Sage,
of the knowledge in others’ hearts.

I remember my former lives;
my “divine eye” is purified.
All the defilements are destroyed;
I will not be reborn again.

In meaning and in the Teaching,
etymology and preaching,
this knowledge of mine was produced
in your presence, O Great Hero.

Through meditation, very wise;
through what has been heard, one’s learned;
but karma will not be destroyed
through the pride of those of high birth.

My defilements are now burnt up;
all new existence is destroyed.
Like elephants with broken chains,
I am living without constraint.

Being in Best Buddha's presence
was a very good thing for me.
The three knowledges are attained;
I have done what the Buddha taught!

The four analytical modes,
and these eight deliverances,
six special knowledges mastered,
I have done what the Buddha taught!

Thus indeed the bhikkhunī Puṇṇikā spoke these verses.

The legend of Puṇṇikā Therī is finished