The Snake (SNP1.1)

Sutta Nipāta

The Snake

A monk who removes anger when it appears,

as one removes a serpent’s venom using medicines,

relinquishes both the here and the beyond

like a snake shedding its decayed skin.

A monk who completely cuts off passion,

like a lotus plant dropping its flowers,

relinquishes both the here and the beyond

like a snake shedding its decayed skin.

A monk who has completely severed craving,

who has dried up the swiftly flowing river,

relinquishes both the here and the beyond

like a snake shedding its decayed skin.

A monk who completely destroys conceit,

like a flood destroys a fragile bamboo bridge,

relinquishes both the here and the beyond

like a snake shedding its decayed skin.

A monk who sees no value in states of being,

as one does not find flowers on fig trees,

relinquishes both the here and the beyond

like a snake shedding its decayed skin.

A monk in whom there is no anger,

who has completely gone beyond both being and non-being,

relinquishes both the here and the beyond

like a snake shedding its decayed skin.

A monk who has completely blown away their thoughts,

whose mind is internally well-ordered,

relinquishes both the here and the beyond

like a snake shedding its decayed skin.

A monk who neither goes too far nor goes back,

who transcends all this complication,

relinquishes both the here and the beyond

like a snake shedding its decayed skin.

A monk who neither goes too far nor goes back,

who knows that the world is completely false,

relinquishes both the here and the beyond

like a snake shedding its decayed skin.

A monk who neither goes too far nor goes back,

who is free of greed, knowing it to be completely false,

relinquishes both the here and the beyond

like a snake shedding its decayed skin.

A monk who neither goes too far nor goes back,

who is free of passion, knowing it to be completely false,

relinquishes both the here and the beyond

like a snake shedding its decayed skin.

A monk who neither goes too far nor goes back,

who is free of hatred, knowing it to be completely false,

relinquishes both the here and the beyond

like a snake shedding its decayed skin.

A monk who neither goes too far nor goes back,

who is free of delusion, knowing it to be completely false,

relinquishes both the here and the beyond

like a snake shedding its decayed skin.

A monk who has no subconscious tendencies,

who has eliminated the unwholesome roots,

relinquishes both the here and the beyond

like a snake shedding its decayed skin.

A monk who has no anxiety whatsoever

about this life or the next,

relinquishes both the here and the beyond

like a snake shedding its decayed skin.

A monk who has no desire whatsoever

based on which one might be bound to existence,

relinquishes both the here and the beyond

like a snake shedding its decayed skin.

A monk who has discarded the five hindrances,

who is untroubled, free of doubt, unafflicted,

relinquishes both the here and the beyond

like a snake shedding its decayed skin.