Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24
Translations Included on this Webpage
Dharmapada Sutra
Chapter XXI
Disciples of the Buddha, Contemplation, Forest Solitude,
Miscellaneous, Pakinnakavagga
Dhammapada Sutta, Chapter 21, Verses 290-305
Verse 290 (21:290)
290. If by giving up a lesser happiness, one may behold a greater one, let the wise man give up the lesser happiness in consideration of the greater happiness. Narada 1959
290. If by leaving a small pleasure one sees a great pleasure, let a wise man leave the small pleasure, and look to the great. Muller 1881
290. If at the cost of a little joy one sees great joy, he who is wise will look to the greater and leave the less. Wagiswara 1912
Verse 291 (21:291)
291. He who seeks happiness for himself by causing unhappiness to others is not released in the chains of hatred. He is entangled himself in the tangles of hatred. Narada 1959
291. Whoso seeks his own pleasure by another's pain, is entangled in hate and cannot get free. Wagiswara 1912
291. He who, by causing pain to others, wishes to obtain pleasure for himself, he, entangled in the bonds of hatred, will never be free from hatred. Muller 1881
Verse 292 (21:292)
292. What should have been done is left undone, what should not have been done is done. Of those who are arrogant and thoughtless, their corruption increases. Narada 1959
292. By not doing what should be done, and by doing what should not be done, the sinful desires of proud and thoughtless men increase. Mascaro 1973
292. The indolent and negligent
Accrue unwholesome mind states
By doing what should not be done,
And failing to do what should be done. Maitreya 1995
292. What ought to be done is neglected, what ought not to be done is done; the desires of unruly, thoughtless people are always increasing. Muller 1881
292. Duty neglected and evil done: the taints of the proud and slothful wax ever more and more. Wagiswara 1912
Verse 293 (21:293)
293. But they whose whole watchfulness is always directed to their body, who do not follow what ought not to be done, and who steadfastly do what ought to be done, the desires of such watchful and wise people will come to an end. Muller 1881
293. Those who always earnestly practice "mindfulness of the body", who follow not what should not be done, and constantly do what should be done, of those mindful and refection ones, the corruption comes to an end. Narada 1959
293. But those who are ever
pondering the nature of the body, who run not after evil, who are constant in
duty in these, the vigilant and wise, taints come
utterly to an end. Wagiswara 1912
Verse 294 (21:294)
294. Having slain mother (craving) and father (conceit) and two warrior kings (views based on eternalism and nihilism) and having destroyed a country (sense-avenues and sense-objects), together with its revenue officer (attachment), a Brahma (Arhat) goes without grievance. Narada 1959
294. A true Brahmana goes scatheless, though he have killed father and mother, and two valiant kings, though he has destroyed a kingdom with all its subjects. Muller 1881
294. Having destroyed Mother and Father and two noble Kings, with the whole Kingdom and its Vizier, innocent goes the Brahmin! Wagiswara 1912
Verse 295 (21:295)
295. Having slain mother (craving) and father (conceit) and two Brahma kinds (views based on eternalism and nihilism), and having destroyed the perilous path (hindrances), a Braham (Arhat) goes without grievance. Narada 1959
295. Innocent goes the Brahmin having destroyed Mother and Father and two Brahmin Kings, and the five Roads and their fierce guardians. Wagiswara 1912
295. A true Brahmana goes scatheless, though he have killed father and mother, and two holy kings, and an eminent man besides. Muller 1881
Verse 296 (21:296)
296. Well awakened the disciples of Buddha Gotama ever arise -- those who always contemplate the Buddha by day and night. Narada 1959
296. The disciples of Gotama (Buddha) are always well awake, and their thoughts day and night are always set on Buddha. Muller 1881
296. The followers of Gautama are ever vigilant; their thought day and night is set upon Buddha. Wagiswara 1912
Verse 297 (21:297)
297. The disciples of Gotama are always well awake, and their thoughts day and night are always set on the law. Muller 1881
297. Well awakened the disciples of Buddha Gotama ever arise -- those who always contemplate the Sangha by day and night. Narada 1959
297. The followers of Gautama
are ever vigilant. Day and night is their thought set upon the Dhamma, the
Sangha, the body, compassion,
and mind-culture. Wagiswara 1912
Verse 298 (21:298)
298. Well awakened the disciples of Buddha Gotama ever arise -- those who always contemplate the body by day and night. Narada 1959
298. The disciples of Gotama are always well awake, and their thoughts day and night are always set on the church. Muller 1881
298. The followers of Gautama
are ever vigilant. Day and night is their thought set upon the Dhamma, the
Sangha, the body, compassion,
and mind-culture. Wagiswara 1912
Verse 299 (21:299)
299. The followers of Gautama
are ever vigilant. Day and night is their thought set upon the Dhamma, the
Sangha, the body, compassion,
and mind-culture. Wagiswara 1912
299. Well awakened the disciples of Buddha Gotama ever arise -- those who always contemplate the Dharma by day and night. Narada 1959
299. The disciples of Gotama are always well awake, and their thoughts day and night are always set on their body. Muller 1881
Verse 300 (21:300)
300. Well awakened the disciples of Buddha Gotama ever arise -- those are delighted in harmlessness by day and night. Narada 1959
300. The disciples of Gotama are always well awake, and their mind day and night always delights in compassion. Muller 1881
300. The followers of Gautama
are ever vigilant. Day and night is their thought set upon the Dhamma, the
Sangha, the body, compassion,
and mind-culture. Wagiswara 1912
Verse 301 (21:301)
301. The disciples of Gotama are always well awake, and their mind day and night always delights in meditation. Muller 1881
301. Well awakened the disciples of Buddha Gotama ever arise -- those are delighted in meditation by day and night. Narada 1959
301. The followers of Gautama
are ever vigilant. Day and night is their thought set upon the Dhamma, the
Sangha, the body, compassion,
and mind-culture. Wagiswara 1912
Verse 302 (21:302)
302. It is difficult to renounce therein it is difficult to delight. It is
difficult and painful to be in household life. It is painful to associate with
those who are incompatible.
The long road of Samsara (transmigration) is a road
of pain for travelers. Therefore, do not be a traveler or a pursuer of
pain. Narada 1959
302. It is hard to leave the world (to become a
friar), it is hard to enjoy the world; hard is the monastery, painful are the
houses; painful it is to dwell with equals
(to share everything in common) and
the itinerant mendicant is beset with pain. Therefore let no man be an itinerant
mendicant and he will not be
beset with pain. Muller 1881
302. Hard it is to leave home as
a recluse! Hard also to live at home as a householder. Hard is the
community life. The lot of the wanderer
in the world is also hard. Wagiswara 1912
Verse 303 (21:303)
303. He who is full of confidence and virtue, and possessed of fame and wealth, is honored everywhere, in whatever place he goes. Narada 1959
303. Whatever place a faithful, virtuous, celebrated, and wealthy man chooses, there he is respected. Muller 1881
303. The faithful, upright man is endowed with the true fame and wealth, and is honored wherever he goes. Wagiswara 1912
Verse 304 (21:304)
304. Good people shine from afar, like the snowy mountains; bad people are not seen, like arrows shot by night. Muller 1881
304. The good reveal themselves from afar, like the Himalaya Mountains, but the wicked are invisible though near, like arrows shot at night. Narada 1959
304. Far off are seen the Holy Ones, like the Himalayas. The unholy pass unseen as arrows shot in the darkness. Wagiswara 1912
Verse 305 (21:305)
305. He who sits alone, rests alone, walks alone, works hard, who controls himself in solitude, will find delight in the forest. Narada 1959
305. He alone who, without ceasing, practices
the duty of sitting alone and sleeping alone, he, subduing himself, will rejoice
in the destruction of all
desires alone, as if living in a forest.
Muller 1881
305. Alone when eating, alone when sleeping, alone when walking, let a man strongly control himself and take his pleasure in the forest glade. Wagiswara 1912
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Dhammapada Sutta
Chapter XXII
Woeful State, Sinfulness, The Results of Evil, Hell,
Nirayavagga
Dharmapada Sutra, Chapter 22, Verses 306-319
Verse 306 (22:306)
306. One who does not speak the truth goes to a woeful state, and so is one
who says he has not done what he knows well he has done. Both become equal after
death,
people of base action in the other world. Narada 1959
306. He who says what is not, goes to hell; he
also who, having done a thing, says I have not done it. After death both are
equal, they are men with evil deeds
in the next world. Muller 1881
306. The liar goes to hell, and the villain who denies his crime. These mean ones are alike in the world beyond. Wagiswara 1912
Verse 307 (22:307)
307. Though clad in yellow robe, the man of many sins who is uncontrolled is born in hell. The the sinner is punished by his sin. Wagiswara 1912
307. Many wear the yellow robe on their necks, whose life is not pure and who
have no self-control. Those evil men through their evil deeds are
reborn
in a woeful state. Narada 1959
307. Many men whose shoulders are covered with the yellow gown are ill-conditioned and unrestrained; such evil-doers by their evil deeds go to hell. Muller 1881
Verse 308 (22:308)
308. It is better to swallow a red-hot iron ball like a flame of fire, than to be an immoral and uncontrolled person feeding on the alms offered by people. Narada 1959
308. Better it would be to swallow a heated iron ball, like flaring fire, than that a bad unrestrained fellow should live on the charity of the land. Muller 1881
308. Better to swallow a ball of red-hot iron than to live uncontrolled upon the bounty of the faithful. Wagiswara 1912
Verse 309 (22:309)
309. Four evil consequences follow the sluggard and the adulterer: retribution, broken slumber, an evil name, and in the end, hell. Wagiswara 1912
309. Four misfortunes happen to the reckless man who commits adultery, degradation of merit, disturbed sleep, blame and going to a woeful state. Narada 1959
309. Four things does a wreckless man gain who covets his neighbor's wife,—a bad reputation, an uncomfortable bed, thirdly, punishment, and lastly, hell. Muller 1881
Verse 310 (22:310)
310. There is degradation of merit, as well as evil destiny. Brief is the joy
of the frightened man and woman. The king imposes a heavy punishment. Hence no
man should
go after another man’s wife. Narada 1959
310. There is bad reputation, and the evil way
(to hell), there is the short pleasure of the frightened in the arms of the
frightened, and the king imposes heavy punishment;
therefore let no man think of
his neighbor's wife. Muller 1881
310. That way lie retribution and an evil character, the short-lived joy of trembling sinners, and a heavy penalty from the ruler. Therefore run not
after thy neighbor's wife. Wagiswara 1912
Verse 311 (22:311)
311. As a grass-blade, if badly grasped, cuts the arm, badly-practiced asceticism leads to hell. Muller 1881
311. Just as a hand of Kusa grass if badly grasped will cut one’s hand, the life of a monk, if wrongly handled, drags him to a woeful state. Narada 1959
311. As pampas-grass clumsily handled cuts the hand, so is the community life. Abused, it brings a man to hell. Wagiswara 1912
Verse 312 (22:312)
312. All duties carelessly performed, all vows slightingly observed; the recluse life that is open to suspicion these bear no great fruit. Wagiswara 1912
312. An act carelessly performed, a broken vow, and hesitating obedience to discipline, all this brings no great reward. Muller 1881
312. For when acts of devotion are loosely performed, when sacred vows are broken, and when holy life is not pure, no great fruits can come from such a life. Narada 1959
Verse 313 (22:313)
313. If a duty is to be done, do it with thy might. A careless recluse scatters contagion broadcast. Wagiswara 1912
313. When one has something to do, let one do it. Let one promote it steadily. A slack asceticism only scatters dust all the more. Narada 1959
313. If anything is to be done, let a man do it, let him attack it vigorously! A careless pilgrim only scatters the dust of his passions more widely. Muller 1881
Verse 314 (22:314)
314. It is better not to do an evil deed. A misdeed torments one hereafter. It is better to do a good deed. One does not grieve after doing it. Narada 1959
314. An evil deed is better left undone, for a man repents of it afterwards; a good deed is better done, for having done it, one does not repent. Muller 1881
314. Better leave undone a bad deed; one day the doer will lament. Good it is to do the good deed which brings no remorse. Wagiswara 1912
Verse 315 (22:315)
315. Like a well-guarded frontier fort, with
defenses within and without, so let a man guard himself. Not a moment should
escape, for they who allow the right
moment to pass, suffer pain when they are
in hell. Muller 1881
315. As a fortress guarded within and without, so guard thyself. Leave no loophole for attack! They who fail at their post mourn here, and
hereafter go to hell. Wagiswara 1912
315. Guard yourself, like guarding a border city within and without. Do not
let this opportunity slip. They who let the opportunity slip will grieve when
they are
born in a woeful state. Narada 1959
Verse 316 (22:316)
316. Beings who are ashamed of what is not shameful, and are not ashamed of what is shameful, embrace false views and go to a woeful state. Narada 1959
316. They who are ashamed of what they ought not
to be ashamed of, and are not ashamed of what they ought to be ashamed of, such
men, embracing false
doctrines enter the evil path. Muller 1881
316. Some are ashamed at what is not shameful, and blush not at deeds of shame; these perverse ones go to hell. Wagiswara 1912
Verse 317 (22:317)
317. They who see fear where there is no fear, and tremble not at fearful things; these perverse ones go to hell.
Wagiswara 1912
317. Beings who see fear in what is not to
be feared and see no fear in the fearsome, embrace false views and go to a
woeful state. Narada 1959
317. They who fear when they ought not to fear, and fear not when they ought to fear, such men, embracing false doctrines, enter the evil path. Muller 1881
Verse 318 (22:318)
318. Beings who imagine that wrong is right, and who perceive that right is wrong, embrace false views and go to a woeful state. Narada 1959
318. They who forbid when there is nothing to be
forbidden, and forbid not when there is something to be forbidden, such men,
embracing false doctrines,
enter the evil path. Muller 1881
318. They who think evil where there is no evil, and make light of grievous sin; these perverse ones go to hell. Wagiswara 1912
Verse 319 (22:319)
319. They who know what is forbidden as forbidden, and what is not forbidden as not forbidden, such men, embracing the true doctrine, enter the good path. Muller 1881
319. Beings who know what is wrong as wrong, and what is right as right, embrace right views and go to a blissful state. Narada 1959
319. But whoso calls sin sin, and innocence innocence; these right-minded ones go to happiness. Wagiswara 1912
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Dharmapada Sutra
Chapter XXIII
Elephant, Self-Training, Fellowship, Nagavagga
Dhammapada Sutta, Chapter 23, Verses 320-333
Verse 320 (23:320)
320. I will endure abuse as an elephant endures arrows from a bow in the battlefield. Certainly most people are not disciplined. Narada 1959
320. Silently shall I endure abuse as the elephant in battle endures the arrow sent from the bow: for the world is ill-natured. Muller 1881
320. I will endure abuse as the elephant endures the arrow in the battle. Evil is the crowd. Wagiswara 1912
Verse 321 (23:321)
321. They lead the trained horses or elephants to an assembly. The king
mounts the trained animal. The trained ones who endure abuse are the
best among men. Narada 1959
321. Men lead the tamed elephant into battle. Upon his back upon his back the king rides.
He who is tamed and endures abuse patiently is praised of
men. Wagiswara
1912
321. They lead a tamed elephant to battle, the king mounts a tamed elephant; the tamed is the best among men, he who silently endures abuse. Muller 1881
Verse 322 (23:322)
322. Trained mules are excellent, so are noble horses of Sindh, and royal tusked elephant; but far better is one who has trained oneself. Narada 1959
322. Mules are good, if tamed, and noble Sindhu horses, and elephants with large tusks; but he who tames himself is better still. Muller 1881
322. Noble are the tamed mules. Noble the blood-horses of Sindh, and the great elephants of war. Better is he who has tamed himself. Wagiswara 1912
Verse 323 (23:323)
323. For with these animals does no man reach the untrodden country (Nirvana), where a tamed man goes on a tamed animal, viz. on his own well-tamed self. Muller 1881
323. For it is surely with those vehicles that a man will reach the land
unknown. Nirvana is reached by the man who is controlled through his subdued and
well-trained by himself. Narada 1959
323. Not by bridling them will one journey to the unknown shore of Nirvana, but by bridling himself. Wagiswara 1912
Verse 324 (23:324)
324. An elephant named Dhanapalaka is hard to control with pungent juice flowing. However, it eats no food when it thinks of the elephant forest. Narada 1959
324. The elephant called Dhanapalaka, his
temples running with sap, and difficult to hold, does not eat a morsel when
bound; the elephant longs for the
elephant grove. Muller 1881
324. Dhanapalako, the great elephant, is hard to control in the time of rut. He will not taste his food in captivity, but longs after the elephant grove. Wagiswara 1912
Verse 325 (23:325)
325. The stupid one who is lazy and gluttonous, who eats large meals and
rolls in sleep, and who lies like a pig nourished on pig-wash, goes to rebirth
again
and again. Narada 1959
325. If one becomes a sluggard or a glutton, rolling over in gross sleep like a stall-fed hog, again and again does he come to the womb, the foolish one! Wagiswara 1912
325. If a man becomes fat and a great eater, if he is sleepy and rolls himself about, that fool, like a hog fed on wash, is born again and again. Muller 1881
Verse 326 (23:326)
326. In the past, this mind went wandering where it liked, as it wished and
as it listed. Today, I shall completely hold this mind in check, with attention,
as a
wild elephant controlled by the trainer. Narada 1959
326. This mind of mine went formerly wandering
about as it liked, as it listed, as it pleased; but I shall now hold it in
thoroughly, as the rider who holds the hook
holds in the furious elephant.
Muller 1881
326. This mind of mine would wander in days of old whither desire and lust and caprice led it. Now will I control it as a mahout controls the elephant in rut. Wagiswara 1912
Verse 327 (23:327)
327. Be not thoughtless, watch your thoughts! Draw yourself out of the evil way, like an elephant sunk in mud. Muller 1881
327. Take delight in heedfulness. Guard your mind well. Draw yourselves out of the evil way as the elephant draws himself out of a muddy swamp. Narada 1959
327. Be ye zealous, guard your thoughts. As an elephant sunk in the mud extricate yourselves from the clutches of evil. Wagiswara 1912
Verse 328 (23:328)
328. If you get a prudent companion who is suitable
to live with you, who behaves well and is wise, you should live with him
joyfully and mindfully, overcoming
all dangers. Narada 1959
328. If a man find a prudent companion who walks with him, is wise, and lives soberly, he may walk with him, overcoming all dangers, happy, but considerate. Muller 1881
328. If you can find a dutiful friend to go with you, a righteous and prudent man not caring for hardships, go with him deliberately. Wagiswara 1912
Verse 329 (23:329)
329. If a man find no prudent companion who
walks with him, is wise, and lives soberly, let him walk alone, like a king who
has left his conquered country
behind,—like an elephant in the forest.
Muller 1881
329. If you do not get a prudent companion who is suitable to live with
you, who behaves well and is wise, then like a king who leaves a conquered kingdom, you
should live alone as an elephant does in the elephant forest. Narada
1959
329. If you cannot find such a one, travel alone as a king leaving a conquered realm, or as the elephant in the jungle. Wagiswara 1912
Verse 330 (23:330)
330. It is better to live alone. There is no fellowship with the ignorant. Let one live alone doing no evil, care-free, like an elephant in the elephant forest. Narada 1959
330. It is better to live alone, there is no companionship with a fool; let a man walk alone, let him commit no sin, with few wishes, like an elephant in the forest. Muller 1881
330. It is better to be alone. There is no companionship with a fool. Travel alone and sin not, forgetting care as the elephant in the jungle. Wagiswara 1912
Verse 331 (23:331)
331. It is pleasant to have friends whenever needed. It is pleasant to be
content with just this and that. It is pleasant to have merit when life is at an
end.
It is pleasant to surrender all ill. Narada 1959
331. Good are companions in time of need. Contentment with thy lot is good.
At the hour of death, merit is a good friend, and good is the leaving of all
sorrow.
Wagiswara 1912
331. If an occasion arises, friends are
pleasant; enjoyment is pleasant, whatever be the cause; a good work is pleasant
in the hour of death; the giving up
of all grief is pleasant. Muller
1881
Verse 332 (23:332)
332. It is pleasant to minister to mother in this world. It is pleasant to
minister to father in this world too. It is pleasant to minister to ascetics. It
is pleasant
to minister to the Nobles ones too. Narada 1959
332. Pleasant in the world is the state of a mother, pleasant the state of a father, pleasant the state of a Samana, pleasant the state of a Brahmana. Muller 1881
332. Good is reverence for mother and father. Good, too, is reverence for recluses and sages. Wagiswara 1912
Verse 333 (23:333)
333. Pleasant is virtue lasting to old age, pleasant is a faith firmly rooted; pleasant is attainment of intelligence, pleasant is avoiding of sins. Muller 1881
333. It is pleasant to have virtue continued until old age. It is pleasant to be pure and firm in faith. It is pleasant to attain wisdom. It is pleasant to do no evil. Narada 1959
333. Good is lifelong righteousness, and rooted faith is good. Good is the getting of wisdom, and good the avoiding of sin. Wagiswara 1912
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Dhammapada Sutta
Chapter XXIV
Weeds, Cravings, Bondage, Uprooting Evil,
Tanhavagga
Dharmapada Sutra, Chapter 24, Verses 334-359
Verse 334 (24:334)
334. The craving of the person addicted to careless living grows like a
creeper. He jumps from one life to another, like a fruit-loving monkey in the
forest,
jumping from
one tree without fruit to another. Narada 1959
334. The thirst of a thoughtless man grows like a creeper; he runs from life to life, like a monkey seeking fruit in the forest. Muller 1881
334. As the "maluwa" creeper, so spreads the desire of the sluggard. From birth to birth he leaps like a monkey seeking fruit. Wagiswara 1912
Verse 335 (24:335)
335. Whoso is subdued by this sordid clinging desire, his sorrows wax more and more, like "birana" grass after rain. Wagiswara 1912
335. And when his craving overcomes him, his sorrows flourish like the entangling creeper called Birana grass. Narada 1959
335. Whomsoever this fierce thirst overcomes, full of poison, in this world, his sufferings increase like the abounding Birana grass. Muller 1881
Verse 336 (24:336)
336. And whoever overcomes his selfish craving in the world, his sorrows fall away from him, like drops of water from a lotus flower. Narada 1959
336. He who overcomes this fierce thirst, difficult to be conquered in this world, sufferings fall off from him, like water-drops from a lotus leaf. Muller 1881
336. But his sorrows drop off like water from the lotus leaf, who subdues this sordid, powerful desire. Wagiswara 1912
Verse 337 (24:337)
337. I give you this good counsel, all ye who are gathered here.
Cut out desire as one digs up the grass to find the fragrant root. Let not Mara break you
again and again as the river breaks the rushes. Wagiswara 1912
337. This I say to you, "Good luck to you all who have assembled here! Dig up
the root of craving like one in quest of sweet root of Birana grass. Let not
Mara
crush you again and again as a flood crushes a reed." Narada 1959
334-337.
The craving of one who lives heedlessly grows like a creeper.
He jumps from life to life like a monkey seeking fruits in the forest.
Whomsoever craving overcomes in this world,
his sorrows flourish like well-watered bīrana grass.
Whoever overcomes this unruly craving in this world,
his sorrows fall away like water-drops from a lotus-leaf.
I say this to you: Good luck to all who have assembled here!
Dig up the root of craving like one in quest of bīrana’s sweet root.
Do not let Māra crush you again and again as a flood (crushes) a reed.
337. This salutary word I tell you, `Do ye, as
many as are here assembled, dig up the root of thirst, as he who wants the
sweet-scented Usira root must dig up
the Birana grass, that Mara (the tempter)
may not crush you again and again, as the stream crushes the reeds.'
Muller 1881
Verse 338 (24:338)
338. Just as a tree, though cut down, can grow again if its roots are
undamaged and strong. In the same way if the latent craving are not wholly
uprooted, sorrows
will spring up again and again. Narada 1959
338. As a tree, even though it has been cut down, is firm so long as its root is safe, and grows again, thus, unless the feeders of thirst are destroyed, the pain (of life) will return again and again. Muller 1881
338. A tree, though it be cut down, yet springs up again, if its roots are safe and firm. Thus, sorrow, if it be not uprooted, springs repeatedly to birth. Wagiswara 1912
Verse 339 (24:339)
339. He whose thirst running towards pleasure is
exceeding strong in the thirty-six channels, the waves will carry away that
misguided man, viz. his desires
which are set on passion. Muller
1881
339. If man's desires flow unchecked, the waves of his lust and craving bear him off misguided one! Wagiswara 1912
339. When the thirty-six streams of craving that run towards pleasures are strong, the torrential thoughts of lust carry away that deluded person. Narada 1959
Verse 340 (24:340)
340. The streams of craving flow everywhere. The creeper of craving grows and stands everywhere. If you see the creeper grow, cut off its roots with wisdom. Narada 1959
340. The channels run everywhere, the creeper (of passion) stands sprouting; if you see the creeper springing up, cut its root by means of knowledge. Muller 1881
340. Everywhere flow the streams, everywhere the creeper sprouts and takes hold. If thou seest this creeper growing, be wise! Pluck it out by the roots. Wagiswara 1912
Verse 341 (24:341)
341. Men hug delights. They foster some pet sin, hankering after which they suffer birth and old age. Wagiswara 1912
341. Beings whose sensuous pleasures arise are steeped in craving. Bound for happiness, they seek happiness. Certainly, such men come to birth and old age. Narada 1959
341. A creature's pleasures are extravagant and luxurious; sunk in lust and looking for pleasure, men undergo (again and again) birth and decay. Muller 1881
Verse 342 (24:342)
342. People who are interested in craving are terrified like a hunted hare. Held in fetters and in bonds, they suffer again and again. Narada 1959
342. Men, driven on by thirst, run about like a snared hare; held in fetters and bonds, they undergo pain for a long time, again and again. Muller 1881
342. Dogged by lust, men double like a hunted hare. Fast bound in its fetters, they go through long ages to misery. Wagiswara 1912
Verse 343 (24:343)
343. Men, driven on by thirst, run about like a snared hare; let therefore the mendicant drive out thirst, by striving after passionlessness for himself. Muller 1881
343. Dogged by lust, they double like a hunted hare. Throw off thy lust, O Bhikkhu, if thou wouldst be free. Wagiswara 1912
343. People who are interested in craving are terrified like a hunted hare. Therefore, a Bhiksu who wishes his own passionlessness should discard carving. Narada 1959
Verse 344 (24:344)
344. Whoever with no desire for the household find pleasures in the forest
in solitude, and though freed from desire for the household, one runs back
to that very home.
Come, behold that man. He is free, but runs back into that
very bondage. Narada 1959
344. He who having got rid of the forest (of
lust) (i.e. after having reached Nirvana) gives himself over to forest-life
(i.e. to lust), and who, when removed from
the forest (i.e. from lust), runs to
the forest (i.e. to lust), look at that man! though free, he runs into bondage.
Muller 1881
344. Whoso has left the tangle of home life for the solitude of the jungle, and goes back to it, regard him thus, "Lo, one who was freed,
and ran back to his chains." Wagiswara 1912
Verse 345 (24:345)
345. The wise do not say a strong bond is made only of iron, wood or rope. Much stronger is the bond of passion for jewels, ornaments, children and wives. Narada 1959
345. Iron and wood and hemp these sages call not heavy bonds, but rather love of bejewelled women, and the care for children and wives. Wagiswara 1912
345. Wise people do not call that a strong fetter which is made of iron, wood, or hemp; far stronger is the care for precious stones and rings, for sons and a wife. Muller 1881
Verse 346 (24:346)
346. This is a heavy bond indeed. Light though it seem, it drags men down,
and is not easily cut off. Yet some there are who cut even this asunder,
and leave
behind them pleasure
and lust, with no backward glance. Wagiswara 1912
346. That fetter wise people call strong which
drags down, yields, but is difficult to undo; after having cut this at last,
people leave the world, free from cares,
and leaving desires and pleasures
behind. Muller 1881
346. The wise say this is indeed a strong bond. It seems soft to hurl down,
but it drags a man, and it is hard to loosen. The wise cut off this and leave
the world,
without craving and renounce sensual pleasures. Narada 1959
Verse 347 (24:347)
347. Those who are slaves to passions, run down
with the stream (of desires), as a spider runs down the web which he has made
himself; when they have cut this,
at last, wise people leave the world free from
cares, leaving all affection behind. Muller 1881
347. Those who are infatuated with passion fall back into the stream. Just
as a spider spuns into the web by itself. The wise cut off this too, and wander
without
craving, and are released from all sorrow. Narada 1959
347. Some again there are who
fall into the meshes of their own lust as the spider falling into her own net.
Even this the wise cut through, leaving sorrow behind,
with no backward glance. Wagiswara 1912
Verse 348 (24:348)
348. Lay aside past, future, and present, escaping the world. Wholly freed in mind, thou shall not again return to birth and old age. Wagiswara 1912
348. Give up what is before, give up what is
behind, give up what is in the middle, when thou go to the other shore of
existence; if thy mind is altogether
free, thou wilt not again enter into birth
and decay. Muller 1881
348. Let go the past. Let go the future. Let go the present.
Crossing to the
far shore of existence, you should release completely in mind and do not
undergo
birth and old age again. Narada 1959
Verse 349 (24:349)
349. The man who is disturbed by evil thoughts, who is exceedingly lustful,
and who contemplates sensual pleasures and increases his craving, certainly makes
the bond
of Mara much stronger. Narada 1959
349. Desire waxes great in him who is oppressed by wandering thoughts, fired with lust and seeking after pleasure. So doth he make his fetters strong. Wagiswara 1912
349. If a man is tossed about by doubts, full of
strong passions, and yearning only for what is delightful, his thirst will grow
more and more, and he will indeed
make his fetters strong. Muller
1881
Verse 350 (24:350)
350. Whoso delights in calming his thoughts and looks askance at the things of sense, will thus come to an end, and cut the bonds of Mara. Wagiswara 1912
350. If a man delights in quieting doubts, and,
always reflecting, dwells on what is not delightful (the impurity of the body,
&c.), he certainly will remove, nay,
he will cut the fetter of Mara.
Muller 1881
350. But he who delights in subduing evil thoughts, who meditates on "the
sorrows of pleasure", and who is mindful, makes an end of craving and
severs
Mara’s bond. Narada 1959
Verse 351 (24:351)
351. He who has reached the consummation, who
does not tremble, who is without thirst and without sin, he has broken all the
thorns of life:
this will be his last body. Muller 1881
351. Having reached the goal, a man is fearless, without craving and passionless. He has cut off the thorns of life. This is his final body. Narada 1959
351. This will be his last body, who has reached the goal, who is fearless, detached, and unblameable. Who has pulled out the rivets of existence. Wagiswara 1912
Verse 352 (24:352)
352. He who is detached and not
grasping, a clever student of the law and its meaning, knowing the words and
their order, he is called the enlightened.
This is his last birth.
Wagiswara 1912
352. He who is without thirst and without
affection, who understands the words and their interpretation, who knows the
order of letters (those which are
before and which are after), he has received
his last body, he is called the great sage, the great man. Muller
1881
352. He who is without craving and grasping, who is skilled in etymology and
terminology and who knows the grouping of letters and their sequence, is called
the bearer of the final body, a great man of profound wisdom. Narada
1959
Verse 353 (24:353)
353. "All conquering and all
knowing am I. Detached, untainted, untrammeled, wholly freed by
destruction of desire. Whom shall I call Teacher? Myself found the
way."
Wagiswara 1912
353. I have overcome everything. I know everything. I am detached from
everything. I have renounced everything. I am wholly, and absorbed in
the "destruction of craving."
Having comprehended all by myself, whom shall I call my
teacher? Narada 1959
353. `I have conquered all, I know all, in all
conditions of life I am free from taint; I have left all, and through the
destruction of thirst I am free; having learnt myself,
whom shall I teach?'
Muller 1881
Verse 354 (24:354)
354. The gift of Truth excels all other gifts. The flavor of Truth excels
all other flavors. The pleasure in Truth excels all other pleasures. Having
destroyed craving,
he overcomes all sorrow. Narada 1959
354. The gift of the law exceeds all gifts; the
sweetness of the law exceeds all sweetness; the delight in the law exceeds all
delights; the extinction of thirst
overcomes all pain. Muller 1881
354. The gift of the Law
surpasses every gift. The savior of the Law surpasses every savior.
The pleasure of the Law surpasses every pleasure. The destruction of
desire conquers all sorrow. Wagiswara 1912
Verse 355 (24:355)
355. Pleasures destroy the foolish, if they look
not for the other shore; the foolish by his thirst for pleasures destroys
himself, as if he were his
own enemy. Muller 1881
355. Wealth can ruin the fool, but not those who seek
to go to beyond, to Nirvana.
The ignorant man ruins himself through craving for wealth as if he
were
ruining others. Narada 1959
355. Wealth kills the fool if he look not to the Beyond. For greed of wealth fools kill each other. Wagiswara 1912
Verse 356 (24:356)
356. Weeds harm the fields. Lust harms mankind. Hence, what is given to those who have abandoned lust yields abundant fruit. Narada 1959
356. The fields are damaged by weeds, mankind is damaged by passion: therefore a gift bestowed on the passionless brings great reward. Muller 1881
356. Weeds are the bane of fields, and lust the bane of the crowd. Therefore a gift given where there is no lust bears much fruit. Wagiswara 1912
Verse 357 (24:357)
357. Weeds are the bane of fields. Wrath, infatuation, and avarice are the bane of the crowd. A gift given where there is neither wrath, nor infatuation, nor avarice bears much fruit. Wagiswara 1912
357. Weeds harm the fields. Hatred harms mankind. Hence, what is given to those rid of hatred yields abundant fruit. Narada 1959
357. The fields are damaged by weeds, mankind is damaged by hatred: therefore a gift bestowed on those who do not hate brings great reward. Muller 1881
Verse 358 (24:358)
358. Weeds harm the fields. Hatred harms mankind. What is given to those rid of delusion yields abundant fruit. Narada 1959
358. The fields are damaged by weeds, mankind is
damaged by vanity: therefore a gift bestowed on those who are free from vanity
brings great reward. Muller 1881
358. Weeds are the bane of fields. Wrath, infatuation, and avarice are the bane of the crowd. A gift given where there is neither wrath,
nor infatuation, nor avarice bears much fruit. Wagiswara 1912
Verse 359 (24:359)
359. The fields are damaged by weeds, mankind is damaged by lust: therefore a gift bestowed on those who are free from lust brings great reward. Muller 1881
359. Weeds harm the fields. Hatred harms mankind. What is given to those rid of craving yields abundant fruit. Narada 1959
359. Weeds are the bane of fields. Wrath, infatuation, and avarice are the bane of the crowd. A gift given where there is neither wrath, nor infatuation, nor avarice bears much fruit. Wagiswara 1912
Chapters 1-4, Verses 1-59
Chapters 5-8, Verses 60-115
Chapters 9-12, Verses 116-166
Chapters 13-16, Verses 167-220
Chapters 17-20, Verses 221-289
Chapters 21-24, Verses 290-359
Chapters 25-26, Verses 360-423
Index to Chapters 1-26
General Subject Index
Return to Main Index for this Webpage
Translations Included on this Webpage
Byrom 1976 Rendered by Thomas Byrom, 1976, 1993 0 Verses
Buddharakkhita 1985 Translated by Acharya Buddharakkhita, 1985. 0 Verses
Carter 1987 Translated by John Ross Carter and Mahinda Palihawadana, 1987 0 Verses
Cleary 1994 Translated by Thomas Cleary, 1994. 0 Verses
Edmunds 1902 Translated by Albert J. Edmunds, 1902. All Verses: 290-359
Fronsdal 2006 Translated by Gil Fronsdal, 2006. 0 Verses
Jung 2009 Translated by Chng Tiak Jung and Tan Chade Meng. 0 Verses
Kaviratna 1980 Translated by Harischandra Kaviratna, 1980. 0 Verses
Maitreya 1995 Translated by Balangoda Ananda Maitreya, 1995. 1 Verse
Mascaro 1973 Translated by Juan Mascaro, 1973. 0 Verses
Muller 1881 Translated by Friedrich Max Muller, 1881. All Verses: 290-359
Narada 1959 Translated by Narada Maya Thera, 1959. All Verses: 290-359
Richards 1993 Translated by John Richards, 1993. 0 Verses
Thanissaro 1997 Translated by Bhikku Thanissaro, 1997. 0 Verses
Wagiswara 1912 Translated by W.D.C. Wagiswara and K. L. Saunders, 1912. All Verses: 290-359
Wallis 2007 Translated by Glen Wallis, 2007. 0 Verses
Wannapok 1998 Translated by S. Wannapok, 1998. 0 Verses
Return to Main Index for this Webpage
Green Way Research, Valley Spirit Center, Red Bluff,
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Green Way Research has been online on the WWW since 1996
This webpage was first posted on the Internet on August 22, 2009.
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