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Dhammapada

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Dhammapada

The Dhammapada is a collection of sayings of the Buddha in verse form and one of the most widely read and best known Buddhist scriptures.

Verse 1.1-2.

Sanskrit Verses

मनःपूर्वङ्गमा धर्मा मनःश्रेष्ठा मनोमयाः । मनसा चेत्प्रदुष्टेन भाषते वा करोति वा । ततो एनं दुःखमन्वेति चक्रमिव वहतः पदम् ॥ १॥

मनःपूर्वङ्गमा धर्मा मनःश्रेष्ठा मनोमयाः । मनसा चेत्प्रसन्नेन भाषते वा करोति वा । तत एनं सुखमन्वेति छायेवानपायिनी ॥ २॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

Mind precedes thoughts, mind is their chief, (they are) impelled by mind. If with a base mind one speaks or acts, through that, suffering follows him like a wheel (follows) the ox’s foot.

Mind precedes thoughts, mind is their chief, (their quality is) made by mind. If with a base mind one speaks or acts, through that suffering follows him like a wheel (follows) the ox’s foot.

Verse 1.5.

Sanskrit Verse

नहि वैरेण वैराणी शाम्यन्तीह कदाचन । अवैरेण च शाम्यन्ति एष धर्मः सनातनः ॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

For not by hatred do hatreds cease at any time in this place, they only cease with non-hatred, this truth is (surely) eternal.

Verse 1.7-8.

Sanskrit Verse

शुभमनुपश्यन्तं विहरन्तमिन्द्रियेषु असंवृतम् । भोजनेऽमात्राज्ञं कुसीदं हीनवीर्यम् । तं वै प्रसहति मारो वातो वृक्षमिव दुर्बलम् ॥ ७॥

अशुभमनुपश्यन्तं विहरन्तं इन्द्रियेषु सुसंवृतम् । भोजने च मात्राज्ञं श्रद्धमाराब्धवीर्यम् । तं वै न प्रसहते मारो वातः शैलमिव पर्वतम् ॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

Living contemplating what is pleasant, uncontrolled in sense faculties, not knowing the limit in food, indolent, low in energy – Māra surely overthrows that one, like wind (overthrows) a weak tree.

Living contemplating the unpleasant, well-controlled in sense faculties, and knowing the limit in food, faithful, with energy aroused – Māra does not overthrow that one, just as wind does not (overthrow) a mountain made of rock.

Verse 1.9.

Sanskrit Verse

यश्च वान्तकषायः स्यात् शीलेषु सुसमाहितः । उपेतो दम-सत्याभ्यां स वै काषायमर्हति ॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

The one who, while still impure, would wear the renunciant’s robe, unendowed with restraint and truth, is not worthy of the renunciant’s robe.

Verse 1.11-12.

Sanskrit Verse

असारे सारमतयः सारे चासारदर्शिनः । ते सारं नाधिगच्छन्ति मिथ्यासङ्कल्पगोचराः ॥

सारं च सारतो ज्ञात्वा असारं च असारतः । ते सारं अधिगच्छन्ति सम्यक्-सङ्कल्प-गोचराः ॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

Finding the essential in the unessential, and perceiving the unessential in the essential, they do not understand what is the essential, and resort to wrong intention.

Knowing the essential in what is essential, and the unessential in what is unessential, they understand what is essential, and resort to right intention.

Verse 1.13-14.

Sanskrit Verse

यथागारं दुश्छन्नं वृष्टिः समतिविध्यति । एवं अभावितं चित्तं रागः समतिविध्यति ॥

यथागारं सुच्छन्नं वृष्टिर्न समति विध्यति । एवं सुभावितं चित्तं रागो न समति विध्यति ॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

Just as the rain penetrates a house with thatching that is poor, so passion penetrates a mind that is undeveloped.

Just as rain does not penetrate a house with thatching that is good, so passion cannot penetrate a mind that is well-developed.

Verse 2.1.

Sanskrit Verse

अप्रमादोऽमृतपदं प्रमादो मृत्योः पदम् । अप्रमत्ता न म्रियन्ते ये प्रमत्ता यथा मृताः॥ १॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

Heedfulness is the deathless state, heedlessness the state of the dead, the heedful do not die, (but) those who are heedless are as if dead.

Verse 2.5.

Sanskrit Verse

उत्थानेनाऽप्रमादेन संयमेन दमेन च । द्वीपं कुर्वन्ति मेधावी यं ओघो नाभिकिरति ॥ ५॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

By effort and heedfulness, discipline and self-mastery, let the wise one make for himself an island which no flood can overwhelm.

Verse 3.1.

Sanskrit Verse

स्पन्दनं चपलं चित्तं दुरक्ष्यं दुर्निवार्यम् । ऋजुं करोति मेधावी इषुकार इव तेजनम् ॥ १॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

Just as an arrow-maker straightens an arrow shaft, even so the discerning person straightens his mind—so fickle and unsteady, so difficult to guard and control.

Verse 3.5.

Sanskrit Verse

दूरङ्गमं एकचरं अशरीरं गुहाशयम् । ये चित्तं संयंस्यन्ति मोक्ष्यन्ते मारबन्धनात् ॥ ५॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

Dwelling in the cave (of the heart), without form, the mind wanders far and moves alone. Those who subdue this mind are liberated from the bonds of Mára.

Cross-references (Katha Upanishad Heart-Cave):

Verse 4.8.

Sanskrit Verse

यथापि रुचिरं पुष्पं वर्णवदगन्धकम् । एवं सुभाषिता वाक् अफला भवति कुर्वतः ॥ ८॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

Like a beautiful flower full of colour but without fragrance, even so, fruitless are the fair words of one who does not practise them.

Verse 5.2.

Sanskrit Verse

चरन् चेत् नाधिगच्छेत् श्रेयांसं सदृशं आत्मनः । एकचर्यां दृढं कुर्यात् नाऽस्ति बाले सहायता ॥ २॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

Should a seeker not find a companion who is his better or equal, let him resolutely pursue a solitary course; there is no fellowship with a fool.

Verse 6.3.

Sanskrit Verse

न भजेत् पापकानि मित्राणि न भजेत् पुरुषाधमान् । भजेत् मित्राणि कल्याणानि भजेत पुरुषनुत्तमान् ॥ ३॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

Do not associate with evil companions; do not seek the fellowship of the vile. Associate with good friends; seek the fellowship of noble persons.

Verse 7.2.

Sanskrit Verse

उद्युञ्जते स्मृतिमन्तो न निकेते रमन्ते ते । हंसा इव पल्वलं हित्त्वा ओकमोकं जहति ते ॥ २॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

The mindful ones exert themselves. They are not attached to any home; like swans that abandon the lake, they leave home after home behind.

Verse 8.2.

Sanskrit Verse

सहस्रमपि चेद्गाथा अनर्त्थपदसंहिता । एकं गाथापदं श्रेयो यत् श्रुत्त्वोपशाम्यति ॥ २॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

Better than a thousand meaningless verses is one meaningful verse, hearing which one attains peace.

Verse 8.4.

Sanskrit Verse

यः सहस्रं सहस्रेण संग्रामे मानुषान् जयेत् । एकं च जयेद् आत्मानं स वै संग्रामजिदुत्तमः ४

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

Though one may conquer a thousand times a thousand men in battle, yet he indeed is the noblest victor who conquers himself.

Cross-references:

Verse 8.13.

Sanskrit Verse

यञ्च वर्षशतं जीवेत् कुसीदो हीनवीर्यः । एकाहं जीवितं श्रेयः वीर्यमारभतो दृढम् ॥ १३॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

Better it is to live one day strenuous and resolute than to live a hundred years sluggish and dissipated.

Cross-references:

Verse 8.14.

Sanskrit Verse

यश्च वर्षशतं जीवेत् अपश्यन् उदयव्ययं एकाहं जीवितं श्रेयः पश्यतः उदयव्ययम् ॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

Better it is to live one day seeing the rise and fall of things than to live a hundred years without ever seeing the rise and fall of things.

Verse 9.1.

Sanskrit Verse

अभित्वरेत कल्याणे पापात् चित्तं निवारयेत् । तन्द्रितं हि कुर्वतः पुण्यं पापे रमते मनः ॥ १॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

Hasten to do good and restrain your mind from evil. When one is slow in doing good, one’s mind delights in evil.

Verse 9.2.

Sanskrit Verse

पापं चेत् पुरुषः कुर्यात् न तत् कुर्यात् पुनः पुनः । न तस्मिन् छन्दं कुर्यात् दुःखः पापस्य उच्चयः ॥ २॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

Should a person commit evil, let him not do it again and again. Let him not form a desire for it, for painful is the accumulation of evil.

Verse 9.3.

Sanskrit Verse

पुण्यं चेत् पुरुषः कुर्यात् कुर्यादेतत् पुनः पुनः । तस्मिन् छन्दं कुर्यात् सुखः पुण्यस्य उच्चयः ॥ ३॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

Should a person do good, let him do it again and again. Let him form a desire for it, for blissful is the accumulation of good.

Verse 9.6.

Sanskrit Verse

माऽवमन्येत पापस्य न मां तद् आगमिष्यति । उदबिन्दुनिपातेन उदकुंभोऽपि पूर्यते । बालः पूरयति पापं स्तोकं स्तोकमप्याचिन्वन् ॥ ६॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

One should not despise a little wickedness (thinking): it will not come to me, through the falling of water drops the water-pot is (quickly) filled, the fool, gathering bit by bit, becomes full of wickedness.

Verse 9.7.

Sanskrit Verse

माऽवमन्येत पुण्यस्य न मां तद् आगमिष्यति । उदबिन्दुनिपातेन उदकुंभोऽपि पूर्यते । धीरः पूरयति पुण्यस्य स्तोकं स्तोकमप्याचिन्वन् ॥ ७॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

One should not despise little merit (thinking): it will not come to me, through the falling of water drops the water-pot is (quickly) filled, the wise one, gathering bit by bit, becomes full of merit. One should not despise a little merit (thinking): it will not come to me,

Verse 11.3.

Sanskrit Verse

परिजीर्णमिदं रूपं रोगनीडं प्रभंगुरम् । भिद्यते पूतिसन्देहो मरणान्तं हि जिवितम् ॥ ३॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

Fully worn out is this body, a nest of disease, and fragile. This foul mass breaks up, for life ends in death.

Verse 11.10.

Sanskrit Verse

अचरित्त्वा ब्रह्मचर्यं अलब्ध्वा यौवने धनम् । जीर्णक्रौञ्च इव क्षीयन्ते क्षीणमत्स्य इव पल्वले ॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

Those who in youth have not led the holy life, who have failed to acquire wealth, languish like old cranes in a pond without fish.

Verse 12.4.

Sanskrit Verse

आत्मा हि आत्मनो नाथः कोहि नाथः परः स्यात् । आत्मना हि सुदान्तेन नाथं लभते दुर्लभम् ॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

One is truly one’s protector. Who else could the protector be? With oneself fully controlled one gains a protector which is hard to gain.

Verse 12.5.

Sanskrit Verse

सुकराणि असाधूनि आत्मनोऽहितानि च । यद्वै हितं च साधु च तद्वै परमदुष्करम् ॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

Easy to do are things that are bad and harmful to oneself, but exceedingly difficult to do are things that are good and beneficial.

Verse 12.9.

Sanskrit Verse

आत्मनैव कृतं पापं आत्मना संक्लिश्यति । आत्मनाऽकृतं पापं आत्मनैव विशुध्यति । शुद्धयशुद्धी प्रत्त्यात्मं नाऽन्योऽन्यं विशोधयेत् ॥ ९॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

By oneself is evil done, by oneself is one defiled. By oneself is evil left undone, by oneself is one purified. Purity and impurity depend on oneself—no one can purify another. 9

Verse 13.4.

Sanskrit Verse

यथा बुद्बुदकं पश्येत् यथा पश्येत् मरीचिकाम् । एवं लोकमवेक्षमाणं मृत्युराजो न पश्यति ॥ ४॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

When one looks upon the world as a bubble and a mirage, the King of Death does not see one.

Cross-references:

Verse 13.6.

Sanskrit Verse

यश्च पूर्वं प्रमाद्य पश्चात् स न प्रमाद्यति । स इमं लोकं प्रभासयति अभ्रान्मुक्त इव चन्द्रमा ॥ ६॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

Whoever before was heedless, but later is not heedless, that one shines brightly in this world like the moon released from a cloud. Whoever was heedless before, but later is not heedless, that one shines brightly on this world like the moon released from a cloud.

Verse 13.7.

Sanskrit Verse

यस्य पापं कृतं कर्म कुशलेन पिधीयते । स इमं लोकं प्रभासयति अभ्रान्मुक्त इव चन्द्रमा ॥ ७॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

Whose evil deed is covered by a wholesome deed, he illuminates this world like the moon freed from clouds.

Verse 13.12.

Sanskrit Verse

पृथिव्या एकराज्यात् स्वर्गस्य गमनाद् वा । सर्वलोकाऽऽधिपत्त्याद् स्रोत आपत्तिफलं वरम् ॥ १२॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

Better than sole sovereignty over the earth, better than going to heaven, better even than lordship over all the worlds is the fruition of stream-entry.

Verse 14.4.

Sanskrit Verse

कृच्छ्रो मनुष्यप्रतिलाभः कृच्छ्रं मर्त्त्यानां जीवितम् । कृच्छ्रं सद्धर्मश्रवणं कृच्छ्रो बुद्धानाम् उत्पादः ॥ ४॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

Hard is it to be born a human being, hard is the life of mortals. Hard is it to gain the opportunity to hear the Good Dhamma, and hard, indeed, to encounter the arising of the Buddhas.

Verse 14.5.

Sanskrit Verse

सर्वपापस्याकरणं कुशलस्योपसम्पदा । स्वचित्तपर्यवदापनं एतद् बुद्धानां शासनम् ॥ ५॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

To avoid all evil, to cultivate good, and to cleanse one’s own mind—this is the teaching of the Buddhas.

Verse 14.12.

Sanskrit Verse

यश्च बुद्धं च धर्मं च संघं न्च शरणं गतः । चत्वारि आर्यसत्यानि सम्यक् प्रज्ञया पश्यति ॥ १२॥

English translation

Whoever has gone for refuge to the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha, perceives the Four Noble Truths with perfect wisdom.

Verse 14.13.

Sanskrit Verse

दुःखं दुःखसमुत्पादं दुःखस्य चातिक्रमम् । आर्याष्टाङ्गिकं मार्गं दुःखोपशमगामिनम् ॥

English translation

Suffering, the origin of suffering, and the transcending of suffering; The Noble Eightfold Path, leading to the cessation of suffering.

Verse 14.14.

Sanskrit Verse

एतत् खलु शरणं क्षेमं एतत् शरणमुत्तमम् । एतत् शरणमागम्य सर्वदुःखात् प्रमुच्यते ॥ १४॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

(One who has gone for refuge to the Buddha, the Dhamma, and the Sangha, penetrates with wisdom the Four Noble Truths—suffering, the cause of suffering, the cessation of suffering, and the Noble Eightfold Path leading to the cessation of suffering.) This, indeed, is the safe refuge, this is the refuge supreme. Having gone to such a refuge, one is released from all suffering.

Verse 15.8.

Sanskrit Verse

आरोग्यं परमो लाभः सन्तुष्टिः परमं धनम् । विश्वासः परमा ज्ञातिः निर्वाणं परमं सुखम् ॥ ८॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

Health is the highest gain, contentment the greatest wealth. A trustworthy person is the best kinsman, Nibbána the highest bliss.

Verse 16.4.

Sanskrit Verse

प्रियतो जायते शोकः प्रियतो जायते भयम् । प्रियतो विप्रमुक्तस्य नाऽस्ति शोकः कुतो भयम् ॥ ४॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

From endearment springs grief, from endearment springs fear. For one who is wholly free from endearment there is no grief, whence then fear?

Cross-references:

Verse 16.9.

Sanskrit Verse

शीलदर्शनसम्पन्नं धर्मिष्ठं सत्यवादिनम् । आत्मनः कर्म कुर्वाणं तं जनः कुरुते प्रियम् ॥ ९॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

People hold dear one who embodies virtue and insight, who is principled, has realized the truth, and who himself does what he ought to be doing.

Verse 17.2.

Sanskrit Verse

यो वै उत्पतितं क्रोधं रथं भ्रान्तमिव धारयेत् । तमहं सारथिं ब्रवीमि रश्मिग्राह इतरो जनः ॥ २॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

One who checks rising anger as a charioteer checks a rolling chariot, him I call a true charioteer; others only hold the reins.

Cross-references:

Verse 17.14.

Sanskrit Verse

कायेन संवृता धीरा अथ वाचा संवृताः । मनसा संवृता धीरा ते वै सुपरिसंवृताः ॥ १४॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

The wise are controlled in bodily deeds, controlled in speech, and controlled in thought. They are truly well controlled.

Verse 18.5.

Sanskrit Verse

अनुपूर्वेण मेधावी स्तोकं स्तोकं क्षणे क्षणे । कर्मारो रजतस्येव निर्धमेत् मलमात्मनः ॥ ५॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

One by one, little by little, moment by moment, a wise man should remove his own impurities, as a smith removes the dross of silver.

Verse 18.17.

Sanskrit Verse

नाऽस्ति रागसमोऽग्निः नाऽस्ति द्वेषसमो ग्राहः । नाऽस्ति मोहसमं जालं नाऽस्ति तृष्णा समा नदी ॥ १७॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

There is no fire like lust; there is no grip like hatred; there is no net like delusion; there is no river like craving.

Verse 19.13-14.

Sanskrit Verse

न मौनेन मुनिर्भवति मूढरूपोऽविद्वान् । यश्च तुलामिव प्रगृह्य वरमादाय पण्डितः ॥ १३॥

पापानि परिवर्जयति स मुनिस्तेन स मुनिः । यो मनुत उभौ लोकौ मुनिस्तेन प्रोच्यते ॥ १४॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

Not by observing silence does one become a sage, if one is foolish and ignorant. But that wise person who, as if holding a balance-scale, accepts only the good and rejects the evil—he is truly a sage. Since he comprehends both (the present and future) worlds, he is called a sage.

Cross-references:

Verse 20.1.

Sanskrit Verse

मार्गाणामष्टाङ्गिकः श्रेष्ठः सत्यानां चत्वारि पदानि । विरागः श्रेष्ठो धर्माणां द्विपदानां च चक्षुष्मान् ॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

The eightfold is the best of paths, four principles (the best) of truths, dispassion the best of states, the Visionary (the best) of men.

Verse 20.5.

Sanskrit Verse

सर्वे संस्कारा अनित्या इति यदा प्रज्ञया पश्यति । अथ निर्विन्दति दुःखानि एष मार्गो विशुद्धये ॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

All conditions are impermanent, when one sees this with wisdom, then one grows tired of suffering – this is the path to purity.

Verse 20.6.

Sanskrit Verse

सर्वे संस्कारा दुःखा इति यदा प्रज्ञया पश्यति । अथ निर्विन्दति दुःखानि एष मार्गो विशुद्धये ॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

All conditions are suffering, when one sees this with wisdom, then one grows tired of suffering – this is the path to purity.

Verse 20.7.

Sanskrit Verse

सर्वे धर्मा अनात्मान इति यदा प्रज्ञया पश्यति । अथ निर्विन्दति दुःखानि एष मार्गो विशुद्धये ॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

All components of mind and body are without self, when one sees this with wisdom, then one grows tired of suffering – this is the path to purity.

Verse 21.1.

Sanskrit Verse

मात्रासुखपरित्यागात् पश्येच्चेत् विपुलं सुखम् । त्यजेन्मात्रासुखं धीरः सम्पश्यन् विपुलं सुखम् ॥ १॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

If by renouncing a lesser happiness one may realize a greater happiness, let the wise man renounce the lesser, having regard for the greater happiness.

Verse 21.4.

Sanskrit Verse

येषांञ्च सुसमारब्धा नित्यं कायगता स्मृतिः । अकृत्यं ते न सेवन्ते कृत्ये सातत्यकारिणः । सतां सम्प्रजानानां अस्तं गच्छन्त्यास्रवाः ॥ ४॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

Those who always earnestly practise mindfulness of the body, who do not resort to what should not be done, and steadfastly pursue what should be done, mindful and clearly comprehending—their cankers come to an end.

Verse 21.5.

Sanskrit Verse

सुप्रबुद्धं प्रबुध्यन्ते सदा गौतमश्रावकाः । येषां दिवा च रात्रौ च नित्यं बुद्धगता स्मृतिः ॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

Gotama’s disciples always awake to a good wakening, those who day and night constantly have mindfulness of the Buddha.

Verse 21.6.

Sanskrit Verse

सुप्रबुद्धं प्रबुध्यन्ते सदा गौतमश्रावकाः । येषां दिवा च रात्रौ च नित्यं धर्मगता स्मृतिः ॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

Gotama’s disciples always awake to a good wakening, those who day and night constantly have mindfulness of the Dharma.

Verse 21.7.

Sanskrit Verse

सुप्रबुद्धं प्रबुध्यन्ते सदा गौतमश्रावकाः । येषां दिवा च रात्रौ च नित्यं संघगता स्मृतिः ॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

Gotama’s disciples always awake to a good wakening, those who day and night constantly have mindfulness of the Sangha.

Verse 21.8.

Sanskrit Verse

सुप्रबुद्धं प्रबुध्यन्ते सदा गौतमश्रावकाः । येषां दिवा च रात्रौ च नित्यं कायगता स्मृतिः ॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

Gotama’s disciples always awake to a good wakening, those who day and night constantly have mindfulness of the body.

Verse 21.9.

Sanskrit Verse

सुप्रबुद्धं प्रबुध्यन्ते सदा गौतमश्रावकाः । येषां दिवा च रात्रौ च अहिंसायां रतं मनः॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

Gotama’s disciples always awake to a good wakening, those who day and night have a mind that delights in non-violence.

Verse 21.15.

Sanskrit Verse

दूरे सन्तः प्रकाशन्ते हिमवन्त इव पर्वताः । असन्तोऽत्र न दृश्यन्ते रात्रिक्षिप्ता यथा शराः ॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

The good shine even from afar, like the Himalaya mountains. But the wicked are unseen, like arrows shot in the night.

Verse 22.9.

Sanskrit Verse

अकृतं दुष्कृतं श्रेयः पश्चात् तपति दुष्कृतम् । कृतं च सुकृतं श्रेयो यत् कृत्वा नाऽनुतप्यते ॥ ९॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

An evil deed is better left undone, for such a deed torments one afterwards. But a good deed is better done, doing which one does not repent.

Verse 22.11.

Sanskrit Verse

अलज्जिता ये लज्जन्ते लज्जित ये न लज्जन्ते । मिथ्यादृष्टि समादाना सत्त्वा गच्छन्ति दुर्गतिम् ॥ ११॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

Those who are ashamed of what they should not be ashamed of, and who are not ashamed of what they should be ashamed of—upholding false views, these people go to a state of woe.

Verse 22.12.

Sanskrit Verse

अभये च भयदर्शिनो भये चाऽभयदर्शिनः । मिथ्यादृष्टिसमादानाः सत्त्वा गच्छन्ति दुर्गतिम् ॥ १२॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

Those who see something to fear where there is nothing to fear, and who see nothing to fear where there is something to fear—upholding false views, these people go to a state of

Verse 23.2.

Sanskrit Verse

दान्तं नयन्ति समितिं दान्तं राजाऽभिरोहति । दान्तः श्रेष्ठा मनुष्येषु योतिवाक्यं तितिक्षसे ॥ २॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

A tamed elephant can be led into a crowd, and the king mounts a tamed elephant. So too, best among humans is the subdued one who endures abuse.

Verse 23.4.

Sanskrit Verse

न हि एतैर्यानैः गच्छेदगतां दिशम् । यथाऽऽत्मना सुदान्तेन दान्तो दान्तेन गच्छति ॥ ४॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

Not by these mounts, however, can one go to the untrodden land (Nibbána), as one who is self-tamed goes by his own tamed and well-controlled mind.

Verse 23.8.

Sanskrit Verse

अप्रमादरता भवत स्वचित्तमनुरक्षत । दुर्गादुद्धरताऽऽत्मानं पङ्के सक्त इव कुञ्जरः ॥ ८॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

Delight in heedfulness! Guard well your own mind! Draw yourself out of this bog of evil, even as an elephant draws himself out of the mud.

Verse 23.14.

Sanskrit Verse

सुखं यावद् जरां शीलं सुखा श्रद्धा प्रतिष्ठिता । सुखः प्रज्ञायाः प्रतिलाभः पापानां अकरणं सुखम् ॥ १४॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

Blessed is virtue until life’s end; blessed is faith that is steadfast; blessed is the acquisition of wisdom; and blessed is the avoidance of evil.

Verse 24.5.

Sanskrit Verse

यथाऽपि मूलेऽनुपद्रवे दृढे छिन्नोऽपि वृक्षः पुनरेव रोहति । एवमपि तृष्णाऽनुशयेऽनिहते निर्वर्त्तते दुःखमिदं पुनः पुनः ॥ ५॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

Just as a tree, though cut down, sprouts up again if its roots remain uncut and firm, even so, until the craving that lies dormant is rooted out, this suffering springs up again and again.

Verse 25.1.

Sanskrit Verse

चक्षुषा संवरः साधुः साधुः श्रेत्रेण संवरः । घ्राणेन संवरः साधुः साधुः जिह्वया संवरः ॥ १॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

Good is restraint over the eye; good is restraint over the ear; good is restraint over the nose; good is restraint over the tongue.

Verse 25.2.

Sanskrit Verse

कायेन संवरः साधुः साधुः वाचा संवरः । मनसा संवरः साधुः साधुः सर्वत्र संवरः । सर्वत्र संवृतो भिक्षुः सर्वदुःखात् प्रमुच्यते ॥ २॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

Good is restraint in the body; good is restraint in speech; good is restraint in thought. Restraint everywhere is good. The monk restrained in every way is freed from all suffering.

Verse 25.4.

Sanskrit Verse

यो मुखसंयतो भिक्षुः मन्त्रभाणी अनुद्धतः । अर्थं धर्मं च दीपयति मधुरं तस्य भाषितम् ॥ ४॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

That monk who has control over his tongue, is moderate in speech, unassuming and who explains the Teaching in both letter and spirit—whatever he says is pleasing.

Verse 25.5.

Sanskrit Verse

धर्मारामो धर्मरतो धर्मं अनुविचिन्तयन् । धर्ममनुस्मरन् भिक्षुः सद्धर्मान्न परिहीयते ॥ ५॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

The monk who abides in the Dhamma, delights in the Dhamma, meditates on the Dhamma, and bears the Dhamma well in mind—he does not fall away from the sublime Dhamma.

Verse 25.8.

Sanskrit Verse

सर्वशो नामरूपे यस्य नाऽस्ति ममायितम् । असति च न शोचति स वै भिक्षुरित्युच्यते ॥८ ॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

He who has no attachment whatsoever for the mind and Body [name and form], who does not grieve for what he has not—he is truly called a monk.

Verse 25.9.

Sanskrit Verse

मैत्रीविहारी यो भिक्षूः प्रसन्नो बुद्धशासने । अधिगच्छेत् पदं शान्तं संस्कारोपशमं सुखम् ॥ ९॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

The monk who abides in universal love and is deeply devoted to the Teaching of the Buddhas attains the peace of Nibbána, the bliss of the cessation of conditioned things.

Cross-references:

Verse 25.13.

Sanskrit Verse

नाऽस्ति ध्यानमप्रज्ञस्य प्रज्ञा नाऽस्त्यध्यायतः । यस्मिन् ध्यानं च प्रज्ञा च स वै निर्वाणाऽन्तिके ॥ १३॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

There is no meditative concentration for one who lacks wisdom, and no wisdom for one who lacks meditative concentration. One in whom are found both meditative concentration and wisdom is indeed close to Nibbána.

Cross-references:

Verse 25.14.

Sanskrit Verse

शून्यागारं प्रविष्टस्य शान्तचित्तस्य भिक्षोः । अमानुषी रतिर्भवति सम्यग् धर्मं विपश्यतः ॥ १४॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

When a monk who has retired to a solitary abode and calmed his mind comprehends the Dhamma with insight, there arises in him a delight that transcends all human delights.

Verse 25.15.

Sanskrit Verse

यतो यतः संमृशति स्कन्धानां उदयव्ययम् । लभते प्रीतिप्रामोद्यं अमृतं तद्विजानताम् ॥ १५॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

Whenever he sees with insight the rise and fall of the aggregates, he is full of joy and happiness. To the discerning, this reflects the Deathless.

Verse 25.20.

Sanskrit Verse

आत्मना चोदयेदात्मानं प्रतिवसेदात्मनां आत्मना । स आत्मगुप्तः स्मृतिमान् सुखं भिक्षो विहरिष्यसि ॥ २०॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

By oneself one must censure oneself and scrutinize oneself. The self-guarded and mindful monk will always live in happiness.

Verse 25.21.

Sanskrit Verse

आत्मा ह्यात्मनो नाथः आत्मा ह्यात्मनो गतिः । तस्मात् संयमयात्मानं अश्वं भद्रमिव वाणिजः ॥ २१॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

One is truly one’s own protector; one is truly one’s own refuge. Therefore one should control oneself even as the trader controls a noble steed.

Verse 25.22.

Sanskrit Verse

प्रामोद्यबहुलो भिक्षुः प्रसन्नो बुद्धशासने । अधिगच्छेत् पदं शान्तं संस्कारोपशमं सुखम् ॥ २२॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

Full of joy, full of faith in the Teaching of the Buddha, the monk attains the peaceful state, the bliss of cessation of conditioned things.

Verse 26.4.

Sanskrit Verse

ध्यायिनं विरजमासीनं कृतकृत्यं अनास्रवम् । उत्तमार्थमनुप्राप्तं तमहं ब्रवीमि ब्राह्मणम् ॥ ४॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

He who is meditative and stainless, settled and whose work is done, free from cankers, having reached the highest goal—him do I call a holy man.

Verse 26.9.

Sanskrit Verse

यस्य कायेन वाचा मनसा नाऽस्ति दुष्कृतम् । संवृतं त्रिभिः स्थानैः तमहं ब्रवीमि ब्राह्मणम् ॥ ९॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

He who does no evil in deed, word, and thought, who is restrained in these three ways—him do I call a holy man.

Verse 26.17.

Sanskrit Verse

आक्रोशन् वधबन्धं चादुष्टो यस्तितिक्षति । क्षान्तिबलं बलानीकं तमहं ब्रवीमि ब्राह्मणम् ॥ १७॥

Bhikkhu Ānandajoti's translation

He who without resentment endures abuse, beating, and punishment, whose power, real might, is patience—him do I call a holy man.

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