Muni's Play(१२) चतस्त्रः समाधिभावनाः — The Four Developments of Concentration
Sanskrit
तत्र कतमाश्चतस्त्रः समाधिभावनाः?
Translation
In that regard, what are the four developments of concentration?
Sanskrit
अस्ति भिक्षवः समाधिभावना आसेविता भाविता बहुलीकृता ज्ञानदर्शनप्रतिलाभाय संवर्तते।
Translation
Monks, there is a development of concentration which, when practiced and cultivated, leads to the attainment of knowledge and vision.
Sanskrit
अस्ति समाधिभावना आसेविता भाविता बहुलीकृता प्रज्ञाप्रतिलम्भाय संवर्तते।
Translation
There is a development of concentration which, when practiced and cultivated, leads to the attainment of wisdom.
Sanskrit
तत्र कतमा समाधिभावना आसेविता भाविता बहुलीकृता कामरागप्रहाणाय संवर्तते ?
Translation
Which development of concentration, when practiced and cultivated, leads to the abandoning of sensual desire?
The Meditation on the Body’s Nature
Sanskrit
इह भिक्षवो भिक्षु रिममेव कायमूर्ध्वं पादतलादधः केशमस्तकादिपर्यन्तं यथास्थितं तथाप्रणिहितं पूर्णं नानाप्रकारस्याशुचेर्यथाभूतं सम्यक् प्रज्ञया प्रत्यवेक्षते-
Translation
Here, a monk reflects with right wisdom upon this very body, from the soles of the feet upward to the top of the head, just as it is situated and composed, filled with various kinds of impurities:
Sanskrit
यदुत अयं कायः अनुपूर्वेण समुदागतोऽपूर्वविनाशी परमाणुसंचयः सुषिर उन्नामोन्नामनान्मानवव्रणसुमुखरोमकूपस्रावी वल्मीकवदाशीविषनिवासः।
Translation
Namely, that this body is a collection of atoms, gradually accumulated and destined for destruction; it is porous, rising and falling, a human wound with open orifices and seeping pores, a nest of venomous serpents like an anthill.
The Analogies of the Body
Sanskrit
आशीविषतत्कृतजः। अज्ञानशत्रुमकृतविन्मित्रद्रोही।
Translation
Born of the venom of ignorance; a treacherous friend and a senseless enemy.
Sanskrit
कुमित्रवद्विसंवादकः। फेनपिण्डवत्प्रकृतिदुर्बलः।
Translation
Deceptive like a bad friend; naturally fragile like a ball of foam.
Sanskrit
उदकबुद्बुदवदुत्पन्नभग्नविलीनः। मरीचिवद्विप्रलम्भकः।
Translation
Arising and dissolving like a water bubble; misleading like a mirage.
Sanskrit
कदलीवद्विनिभूज्यमानासारकः। मायेव वञ्चनात्मकः।
Translation
Coreless like a banana tree trunk; deceptive like an illusion (maya).
Sanskrit
राजवदाज्ञावङ्गलः(?)। शत्रुवदवतारप्रेक्षी।
Translation
Fickle as a king’s command; watchful for an opening like an enemy.
Sanskrit
चौरवदविश्वसनीयः। अमित्रवदहितैषी।
Translation
Untrustworthy as a thief; wishing one ill like a foe.
Sanskrit
वधकवत्प्रज्ञाजीवितान्तरायकृत्। शून्यग्रामवन्मारविरहितः?।
Translation
Like an executioner, it cuts off wisdom and life; like an empty village, it is a playground for Mara.
Sanskrit
कुलालभाण्डवदनपर्यन्तः। नानाशुचिपरिपूर्णः।
Translation
Finite like a potter’s vessel; filled with various impurities.
Sanskrit
मेदस्थालीवदशुचिस्रावी। अहिवन्निष्पन्दक्रूरः।
Translation
Leaking filth like a pot of fat; motionless yet cruel like a snake.
Sanskrit
कुणपबत्तीक्ष्णगन्धी। वर्चःकुटीवदमेध्याकरः।
Translation
Foul-smelling like a corpse; a source of filth like a latrine.
Sanskrit
व्रवत्यदुनासहिष्णुः(?)। शल्यवत्तुदनार्थः।
Translation
Unable to endure; as painful as a thorn or arrow.
Sanskrit
दुष्टस्वामिवद्दुरुपचारः। जीर्णगृहवत्प्रतिसंस्कारधार्यः।
Translation
Hard to please like a wicked master; needing constant repair like an old house.
Sanskrit
जीर्णयानपात्रवत्प्रतिसंस्कारमलवाह्यः। आमकुम्भवदम्ब्वनुपाल्यः।
Translation
Carrying filth like an old vehicle; to be guarded from water like an unbaked clay pot.
Sanskrit
दुष्टमित्रवन्नित्यान्वरक्षः। नदीतटवृक्षवच्चलाचलः।
Translation
Requiring constant guarding like a bad friend; unstable as a tree on a riverbank.
Sanskrit
महानदीस्रोतवन्मरणसमुद्रपर्यवसानः। आगन्तुकासारवत्सर्वदुःखनिकेतः।
Translation
Ending in the ocean of death like a great river’s current; a home for all suffering like a temporary shelter.
Sanskrit
अनाथशालावदपरिगृहीतः। चोरकपाटवदुत्कोटिसाध्यः।
Translation
Unprotected like an orphanage; difficult to secure like a thief’s trapdoor.
Sanskrit
प्रत्यन्तनगरवन्नित्योपसृष्टः। वालुकानगरवत्सीदनात्मकः।
Translation
Constantly besieged like a border town; prone to sinking like a city of sand.
Sanskrit
अग्निवदतृप्तः। समुद्रवद्दुष्पूरः।
Translation
Insatiable as fire; impossible to fill as the ocean.
Sanskrit
सविषभाजनमिव परिवर्जनीयः। याचितकभाण्डमिव क्षणप्रयोजनार्थः।
Translation
To be avoided like a poisoned vessel; used for a moment’s purpose like borrowed goods.
Sanskrit
शकटमिव भारोद्वहतीर्थः। केवलं धर्मबुद्धिना बोद्धव्यम्॥
Translation
Like a cart meant for carrying a burden; it should be used only with a mind set on Dharma.
The Biological Process of Impurity
Sanskrit
पुनरपरं भिक्षवो भिक्षुणा इदं शरीरमाद्युत्तरकारणतः परीक्षितव्यम्।
Translation
Furthermore, monks, a monk should examine this body in terms of its primary and subsequent causes.
Sanskrit
मातापिताशुक्ररुधिरसमुत्थानमिह शरीरस्य आद्यकारणम्। उत्तरमाहारपरिमाणादिकम्।
Translation
The primary cause of this body is its origin from the semen and blood of the mother and father. The subsequent causes are the consumption of food, etc.
Sanskrit
कवलिकाहारो ग्रस्तमात्रः श्लेष्माशयं गच्छति। श्लेष्माशयं प्राप्य श्लेष्मणा द्रवीकृतोऽत्यन्ताशुचिर्भवति।
Translation
Physical food (kavali-āhāra), as soon as it is swallowed, goes to the stomach (receptacle of phlegm). Reaching the stomach, it is liquefied by phlegm and becomes utterly impure.
Sanskrit
श्लेष्मतः पित्ताशयं गच्छति। पित्ताशयं प्राप्य पच्यमान उष्णीभूत्वा वाय्वाशयं गच्छति।
Translation
From the phlegm-receptacle, it goes to the bile-receptacle. Reaching the bile-receptacle, it is cooked, becomes hot, and goes to the air-receptacle.
Sanskrit
पक्त्वा वाय्वाशयं प्राप्तो वायुना विभज्यते पृथक् मलः, पृथक् सारः।
Translation
Having been cooked and reaching the air-receptacle, it is divided by the wind (air) into waste (mala) and essence (sāra).
Sanskrit
खलान्मूत्रपुरीषादयो मलाः। साराच्छोणितं परिणमति, शोणितान्मांसम्, मांसान्मेदः, मेदसोऽस्थीनि, अस्थिभ्यो मज्जा, मज्जातः शुक्रम्।
Translation
From the waste come urine, feces, etc. From the essence, blood is produced; from blood, flesh; from flesh, fat; from fat, bones; from bones, marrow; from marrow, semen.
The Anatomy of the “Borrowed Vessel”
Sanskrit
तदेवमाद्युत्तरकारणादशुचि शरीरमिति पश्यता भिक्षुणा…
Translation
Seeing thus that the body is impure due to its causes, the monk sees it as:
Sanskrit
इदं शरीरं नवभिरस्थिशतैः सषष्ठैः समुच्छ्रितं…
Translation
This body built of 960 bones (or 360 in other traditions)…
Sanskrit
त्रिभिः शत्विसशतैः संघातितम्, चतुर्भिः शिराजालशतैः संनतम्, पञ्चभिर्मांसपेशीशतैः प्रलिप्तम्…
Translation
Joined by 300 joints, bound by 400 networks of veins, smeared with 500 muscle bundles…
Sanskrit
सप्तभिः शिराशतैर्विनतम्, नवभिः स्नायुशतैर्निबद्धम्, धमन्या गवाक्षीकृतम्…
Translation
Bent by 700 veins, tied by 900 ligaments, made porous by arteries like a latticed window…
Sanskrit
सप्तोत्तरेण मर्मशतेन भिन्नभाजनमिव जर्जरेण कोटीशतसहस्रैरशीतिभिश्च तृणवच्छन्नम्…
Translation
(Fragile) with 107 vital points (marmas), like a broken pot, covered by 80,000,000 hairs like grass…
Sanskrit
पञ्चेन्द्रियच्छिद्रम्, सप्त आशयमशुचिपूर्णम्।
Translation
With the five sense-openings and seven receptacles filled with impurity.
Sanskrit
मस्तिष्कस्याञ्जलिना, मेदसोऽञ्जलिना, त्रिभिर्वसाञ्जलिभिः, षड्भिरञ्जलिभिः श्लेष्मणः, षड्भिरञ्जलिभिः पित्तस्य…
Translation
(Filled with) a handful of brain, a handful of fat, three handfuls of lymph, six handfuls of phlegm, six handfuls of bile…
Sanskrit
शोणितस्याढकेन, पुरीषप्रस्थैः षड्भिः…
Translation
An āḍhaka (measure) of blood and six prasthas (measures) of feces…
Sanskrit
सप्तभिस्त्वग्भिः परिवृतम्… शरीरावयवैः सर्वैरेव दुर्दर्शनम्, दुर्गन्धि प्रतिस्वभावम्।
Translation
Enclosed by seven layers of skin… all bodily parts are ugly to look at and naturally foul-smelling.
Sanskrit
कोऽत्राभिमानो बहुमानभावः? केवलं याचितकभाण्डमिव क्षणप्रयोजनार्थं शकटमिव भारोद्वहनाय धर्मबुद्धिना बोद्धव्यम्॥
Translation
What pride or great esteem can there be for this? It should be carried with a mind for Dharma, only for a moment’s purpose like a borrowed vessel or a cart for carrying a burden.
These concluding verses summarize the psychological shift intended by the meditation on impurity. They challenge the “childish” intellect that clings to physical beauty despite the anatomical reality.
Reflective Verses on the Impurity of Form
Sanskrit
एवंविधकायमवेक्ष्य राशिमशुचेः, रूपाभिमानी वसत्यत्तेयः (अत्यन्तः?)।
Translation
Having observed such a body—this heap of impurity—how can one dwell excessively in pride over physical beauty?
Sanskrit
प्रज्ञायमानं स हि बालबुद्धि विष्टपठं (विष्ठापूर्णं?) याति वहं न चेता॥
Translation
Indeed, the one with an ignorant (childish) intellect carries this (body) filled with filth, without a mindful heart understanding its true nature.
Sanskrit
प्रियप्रकारं वहतेनायत् द्रक्षन्विवक्तुं वहते सदा च।
Translation
One carries it always, viewing it as something pleasant and distinct (from filth), though it is merely a burden borne in ignorance.
Sanskrit
कायः सुचोक्षः कृमिवच्च जन्तोः कुतोऽत्र रागो बहुमानता वा॥
Translation
Is this body truly “clean”? Like a worm within a creature, it is foul. How can there be passion or high esteem for such a thing?
(१२.१) Conclusion of the First Development: Abandoning Sensual Desire
Sanskrit
इत्येवमादि प्रत्यवेक्षन्निति।
Translation
Thus one should reflect (on the body).
Sanskrit
तद्यथा भिक्षव उभयतो द्वारविनिर्मुक्तः कोष्ठागारः पूर्णो नानाप्रकारजातस्य…
Translation
Just as, O monks, there might be a granary with doors at both ends, full of various types of grain:
Sanskrit
धान्यतिलसर्षपमुद्गयवमाषाणाम्।
Translation
…rice, sesame, mustard, mung beans, barley, and lentils.
Sanskrit
तच्चक्षुष्मान् पुरुषो व्यवलोकयन् जानीयात्-इमानि शूकधान्यानि, इमानि फलधान्यानि।
Translation
A man with good eyesight, looking into it, would know: “These are awned grains, these are pulse grains.”
Sanskrit
एवमेव भिक्षवो भिक्षुरिममेव कायं यथास्थितं यथाप्रणिहितं यावत् प्रत्यवेक्षते।
Translation
In the same way, a monk reflects on this very body, just as it is situated and composed.
Sanskrit
इयं समाधिभावना आसेविता बहुलीकृता कामरागप्रहाणाय संवर्तते।
Translation
This development of concentration, when cultivated, leads to the abandoning of sensual desire.
(१२.२) Second Development: Happiness in the Present Life
Sanskrit
तत्र भिक्षवः कतमा समाधिभावना… दृष्टधर्मसुखविहाराय संवर्तते?
Translation
Monks, what is the development of concentration that leads to dwelling in happiness in the present life?
Sanskrit
इह भिक्षवो भिक्षुररण्यगतो वा वृक्षमूलगतो वा शून्यागारगतो वा…
Translation
Here, a monk in the forest, at the root of a tree, or in an empty house…
Sanskrit
इममेव कायमध्यात्मं प्रत्यात्मं विवेकात् न प्रीतिसुखेनाभिष्यन्दयति, परिपूरयति…
Translation
…permeates, fills, and saturates this very body with the joy and pleasure born of seclusion (vivekaja-prītisukha).
Sanskrit
तस्य नास्ति सर्वतः कायादस्फुटं भवत्यस्फरणीयं यदुत अध्यात्मजं विवेकजेन प्रीतिसुखेन।
Translation
No part of his entire body remains untouched by this internal joy and pleasure born of seclusion.
The Lotus Analogy
Sanskrit
तद्यथापि नाम भिक्षवः उत्पलानि वा पद्मानि वा कुमुदानि वा पुण्डरीकानि वा…
Translation
Just as, O monks, blue, red, or white lotuses…
Sanskrit
उदके जातानि उदके मग्नानि, सर्वाणि तानि शीतलेन वारिणाभिष्यन्दितानि…
Translation
…born in the water and submerged in the water, are entirely drenched, permeated, and saturated by the cool water from their roots to their tips.
Sanskrit
एवमेव भिक्षुः… इममेव कायमध्यात्मं… प्रीतिसुखेनाभिष्यन्दयति…
Translation
In the same way, the monk permeates his whole body with joy and pleasure.
Sanskrit
इयं समाधिभावना… दृष्टधर्मसुखविहाराय संवर्तते॥
Translation
This development of concentration leads to dwelling in happiness in the present life.
(१२.३) Third Development: Attainment of Knowledge and Vision
Sanskrit
तत्र भिक्षवः कतमा समाधिभावना… ज्ञानदर्शनप्रतिलाभाय संवर्तते?
Translation
What is the development of concentration that leads to the attainment of knowledge and vision?
Sanskrit
इह भिक्षवो भिक्षुणा आलोकसंज्ञा साधु च सुष्ठु च परिगृहीता भवति…
Translation
Here, a monk has properly and thoroughly grasped the perception of light (āloka-saṃjñā).
Sanskrit
दिवससंज्ञाधिष्ठितं समप्रभासं चित्तं भावयति…
Translation
He develops a mind of even radiance, fixed on the perception of daylight.
Sanskrit
यथा दिवा तथा रात्रौ, यथा रात्रौ तथा दिवा… यथैवाधस्तथैवोर्ध्वम्…
Translation
As by day, so by night; as by night, so by day; as before, so after; as below, so above.
Sanskrit
इति विवृतेन चेतसा अपर्यवनद्धेन दिवससंज्ञाधिष्ठितं समप्रभासं चित्तं भावयति।
Translation
Thus, with an open and unhindered mind, he develops a mind of even radiance fixed on the perception of day.
The Midday Sky Analogy
Sanskrit
तद्यथापि नाम भिक्षवो ग्रीष्माणां पश्चिमे मासे व्यभ्रे दिने विगतबलाहके नभसि मध्याह्नकालसमये…
Translation
Just as in the last month of summer, on a cloudless day at noon, the sky is free of mist and the light is pure, bright, and radiant.
Sanskrit
एवमेव भिक्षवो भिक्षुणा आलोकसंज्ञा… समप्रभासं चित्तं भावयति…
Translation
In the same way, the monk develops the mind of even radiance.
Sanskrit
इयं समाधिभावना… ज्ञानदर्शनप्रतिभानलाभाय संवर्तते॥
Translation
This development of concentration leads to the attainment of knowledge and vision.
(१२.४) Fourth Development: Attainment of Wisdom
Sanskrit
तत्र कतमा(समा)धिभावना… प्रज्ञाप्रतिलम्भाय संवर्तते?
Translation
What is the development of concentration that leads to the attainment of wisdom?
Sanskrit
इह भिक्षुररण्यगतो वा… सुखस्य च प्रहाणाद्दुःखस्य च प्रहाणात्…
Translation
Here, a monk in the forest… through the abandoning of pleasure and pain…
Sanskrit
अदुःखासुखमुपेक्षास्मृतिपरिशुद्धं चतुर्थं ध्यानमुपसंपद्य विहरति।
Translation
…attains and dwells in the fourth dhyāna, which is neither-pain-nor-pleasure and has purity of mindfulness due to equanimity.
Sanskrit
इयं समाधिभावना आसेविता भाविता बहुलीकृता प्रज्ञाप्रतिलम्भाय संवर्तते॥
Translation
This development of concentration leads to the attainment of wisdom.
Sanskrit
इमाश्चतस्रः समाधिभावनाः॥
Translation
These are the four developments of concentration.