But for who always practice well
bodily mindfulness,
do never what should not be done,
for mindful ones, the full-aware,
pollutions fade away.
Explanation: If one were to practice constantly on the mindfulness of physical reality, maintaining steady attention on what has to be done, they will shun what should not be done. The blemishes of those mindful, alert will get eroded. Continue reading “Verse 293. Mindfulness Of Physical Reality”
What should be done is left undone
and done is what should not be done,
ever the pollutions grow
of those ones proud and heedless.
Explanation: If people do what should not be done, and neglect what should be done, the blemishes of those proud, slothful ones begin to increase. Continue reading “Verse 292. How Blemishes Increase”
Who so for self wants happiness
by causing others pain,
entangled in anger’s tangles
one’s from anger never free.
Explanation: The individual who achieves happiness by inflicting pain on others is not freed from anger because he is entangled in the web of anger due to the contact of the anger of other people. Continue reading “Verse 291. When Anger Does Not Abate”
If one should see great happiness
in giving up small happiness
one wise the lesser would renounce
the greater full-discerning.
Explanation: By giving up a modicum of pleasure, which the worldly pursuits bring, if one can be assured of tremendous pleasure – which is Nibbana – the wise person should give up the little pleasure. Continue reading “Verse 290. Give Up A Little, Achieve Much”
Having understood this fact
the wise by virtue well-restrained
swiftly then should clear the path
leading to Nibbana.
Explanation: Being aware that no one can rescue you from death, the wise person, who is restrained and disciplined, should clear the path to Nibbana, without any loss of time. Continue reading “Verse 289. The Path To The Deathless”
No sons are there for shelter
nor father nor related folk,
one by the Death-king seized upon
in kin no shelter finds.
Explanation: When and individual is gripped by death, sons cannot protect one. Not even one’s father can shield a person from the grip of death. Nor can one’s relations come to the rescue. Continue reading “Verse 288. No Protection When Needed”
For one who has a clinging mind
and finds delight in babes and herds
Death does seize and carry away
as great flood a sleeping village.
Explanation: Men are proud that they process children, cattle and other forms of wealth. They tend to be proud that way because their minds are overcome with blemishes. Floods sweep away a sleeping village, taking along all its people and their possessions. In the same way, death comes unaware and sweeps along the people however proud they are of their possessions. Continue reading “Verse 287. Death Takes Away The Attached”
Here shall I spend the Rains,
here the Winter, here the Summer.
Thus speculates the fool,
the danger he knows not.
Explanation: In the four months during retreat, winter or summer in a chosen place, the ignorant plans unaware of the threat of death. Continue reading “Verse 286. The Fear Of Death”
Cut off affection for oneself
as a hand a lily in the Fall.
Cultivate this peaceful path,
Nibbana by the Buddha taught.
Explanation: Just like a person plucking out a lily with one’s own hand, pluck out your self-attachment. Cultivate the path to Nibbana, as advocated by the Buddha. Continue reading “Verse 285. Path To Peace”
As long indeed as woodedness
of man to women is not cut
so long in bondage is one’s mind
as milch-calf to the mother cow.
Explanation: As long as a man’s mind is attached to women, even minutely, like a little undergrowth that has not been cut down, so long will his mind be attached like a suckling calf to its mother cow. Continue reading “Verse 284. Attachment To Women”
