Where in the world is found
one restrained by shame,
awakened out of sleep
as splendid horse with whip?
Explanation: Rarely in the world is that person who is restrained by shame. Like a well-breed horse who avoids the whip, he avoids disgrace. Continue reading “Verse 143. Avoid Evil Through Shame”
Even though adorned, if living in peace
calm, tamed, established in the holy life,
for beings all laying force aside:
one pure, one peaceful, a bhikkhu is he.
Explanation: Although a person may be attractively dressed, he behave in a harmonious manner. He is tranquil, restrained: assured of liberation. He leads the religious life. He is not violent towards beings. Such a person is truly a priest (brahmana) and a mendicant monk (bhikkhu). Continue reading “Verse 142. Costumes Do Not Mar Virtue”
Not going naked, nor matted hair, nor filth,
nor fasting, not sleeping on bare earth,
no penance on heels, nor sweat nor grime
can purify a mortal still overcome by doubt.
Explanation: A person seeking the purification of his soul may practice the ritual of wandering about naked; or else he may wear turbans; he may even smear his body with mud; he may even refrain from partaking of food as an austerity to obtain purity; he may lie on bare earth; or else he may throw dust all over his body. And again, some may practice a squatting posture. All of these will not wash a person into spiritual purity if his wavering of mind is not overcome. Continue reading “Verse 141. Practices That Will Not Lead To Purity”
Or one’s houses burn
on raging conflagration,
at the body’s end, in hell
arises that unwise one.
Explanation: Or else, his houses will be burnt by fire and, upon death, that person will be reborn in hell.
Troubled by the government,
or else false accusation,
or by loss of relatives,
destruction of one’s wealth;
Explanation: Trouble from rulers; grave charges; loss of relatives; property loss.
Sharp pain or deprivation,
or injury to body,
or to a serious disease,
derangement of the mind;
Explanation: The following ten forms of suffering will come to those who hurt the harmless, inoffensive saints: severe pain; disaster; physical injury; serious illness, mental disorder.
Whoever forces the forceless
or offends the inoffensive,
speedily comes indeed
to one of these ten states:
Explanation: If one attacks one who is harmless, or ill-treat innocent beings, ten woeful states lie here and now to one of which he shall befall. Continue reading “Verse 137. The Evil Results of Hurting The Pious”
When the fool does evil deeds
their end he does not know,
such kamma burns the one unwise
as one who’s scorched by fire.
Explanation: Fools, unaware that evil rebounds, through evil acts they hurt themselves. As flies leap into fire and burn, their own executioners they become. Continue reading “Verse 136. Results Of Evil Torment The Ignorant”
As with force the cowherds drive
their cattle out to graze,
like this decay and death drive out
the life from all beings.
Explanation: The cowherd drive the cattle along to the pasture with the goad. In the same way, decay and death drive the life span of beings. Continue reading “Verse 135. Decay And Death Terminate Life”
If like a broken gong
never you reverberate,
quarrelling’s not part of you,
that Nibbana’s reached.
Explanation: When an individual is tranquil and silent like a flattened out metal pot, it is as if he has already attained Nibbana. Such a person does not engage in vain talk. Even when it is struck, the flattened out metal pot cannot make a sound in return.
