Who by wholesome kamma
covers up the evil done
illumines the world
as moon when free from clouds.
Explanation: If the evil habits of behaviour of an individual get replaced by his good behaviour, he will illuminate the world. Continue reading “Verse 173. Evil Is Overcome By Good”
Whoso was heedless formerly
but later lives with heedfulness
illuminates the world
as moon when free of clouds.
Explanation: An individual may have been deluded in the past. But later corrects his thinking and becomes a disillusioned person. He, therefor, is like the moon that has come out from behind a dark cloud; thus, he illuminates the world. Continue reading “Verse 172. The Diligent Illumine The World”
Come, look upon this world
like to a rich , royal chariot
wherein fools lounge at ease
but alert ones linger not.
Explanation: The spiritually immature ones are fully engrossed in this world the glamour of which is deceptively like a decorated royal carriage. Those who are aware of reality do not cling to those worldly things. See the world as it really is. Continue reading “Verse 171. The Disciplined Are Not Attached To The Body”
Just as a bubble may be seen,
just as a faint mirage,
so should the world be viewed
that the Death-king sees one not.
Explanation: Look at a bubble. How impermanent is it? Look at a mirage. What an illusion! If you look at the world in this way, even the king of death will not see you. Continue reading “Verse 170. Observe The Impermanence Of Life”
Fare in Dhamma coursing well,
in evil courses do not fare.
Who dwells in Dhamma’s happy
in this birth and the next.
Explanation: Practice the dhamma to perfection. Do not practice it in a faulty manner. He who follows the teaching in the proper manner will live in peace and comfort both in this world and in the next.
Rouse yourself, be diligent,
in Dhamma faring well.
Who dwells in Dhamma’s happy
in this birth and the next.
Explanation: Wake up to reality; do not be delude. Live in accordance with reality. The realistic person lives happily in this world and in the next. Continue reading “Verse 168. The Righteous Are Happy – Here And Hereafter”
Do not follow base desires,
nor live with heedlessness,
do not follow wrong beliefs
to grow in worldly ways.
Explanation: Stoop not to depraved ways, to practices that promote lower urges. Do not live slothfully. Do not associate yourself with those who hold false views. Continue reading “Verse 167. Do Not Cultivate The Worldly”
Let none neglect their good
for others’ good however great.
Know well oneself’s own good
and to that good attend.
Explanation: One should not neglect one’s own spiritual progress in the course of many acts of service to others. Be fully aware of one’s own spiritual interest, and promote one’s own higher goals Continue reading “Verse 166. Help Others – But Promote One’s Own Good”
By oneself is evil done,
by oneself defiled,
by oneself it’s left undone,
by self alone one purified.
Purity, impurity on oneself depend,
no one can purify another.
Explanation: It is by one’s own self that evil is done. It is one’s own actions that defiles a person. If a person does not commit evil action, one is purified. A person is cleansed entirely by one’s own self. One cannot purify another. Purity and impurity both depend on one’s own self. Continue reading “Verse 165. Purity, Impurity Self-Created”
Whatever man unwise relies
on evil views and so condemns
the Teaching of the Arahats,
or Noble Ones who Dhamma live,
he, as a bamboo fruiting,
fruits to self-destruction.
Explanation: There are some ignorant ones who, due to some harmful views, obstruct the teachings of noble saints, who conduct their lives righteously. They, like the bamboo plant that are destroyed when they bear fruit, are self-destructing. Continue reading “Verse 164. The Wicked Are Self-Destructive”
