Whose knowledge is deep, who’s wise,
who’s skilled in ways right and wrong,
having attained the highest aim,
that one I call a Brahmin True.
Explanation: He possesses profound wisdom. He is full of insight. He is capable of discriminating the right path from the wrong path. He has reached the highest state. I call that person a true brahmana. Continue reading “Verse 403. A Brahmana Is He Who Has Reached His Ultimate Goal”
Whoso in this world comes to know
cessation of all sorrow,
laid down the burden, freed from bonds,
that one I call a Brahmin True.
Explanation: He has become aware, in this world itself, the end of suffering. He is unburdened: he has put down the load. He has got disengaged from the bonds that held him. I call that person a true brahmana. Continue reading “Verse 402. A Brahmana Is He Who Has Laid The Burden Aside”
Like water on a lotus leaf,
or mustard seed on needle point,
whoso clings not to sensual things,
that one I call a Brahmin True.
Explanation: The water does not get attached to the surface of the lotus leaf. The mustard seed does not get attached to the point of a needle. In the same way, the wise one’s mind does not get attached to sensual pleasure. Such a non-attached person I describe as the true brahmana . Continue reading “Verse 401. He Is A Brahmana Who Clings Not To Sensual Pleasures”
Who’s angerless and dutiful,
of virtue full and free of lust,
who’s tamed, to final body come,
that one I call a Brahmin True.
Explanation: He is free of anger. He carefully performs his religious duties and is mindful of the observances. He is disciplined in terms of virtuous behaviour. He is restrained. This is the final body he will occupy as he has ended his cycle of births. I call that person a brahmana. Continue reading “Verse 400. A Brahmana Is He Who Is Not Wrathful”
Who angerless endures abuse.
Beating and imprisonment,
with patience’s power, an armed might:
that one I call a Brahmin True.
Explanation: He is abused and insulted. He is tortured, imprisoned and bound up. But he endures all these without being provoked or without losing his temper. Such an individual who has patience as his power and his army, I describe as a true brahmano. Continue reading “Verse 399. A Brahmana Is He Who Is Patient”
When cutting strap and reins,
the rope and bridle too,
tipping the shaft, he’s Waked,
that one I call a Brahmin True.
Explanation: He has got rid of the strap of ill-will. He has freed himself from the thong of craving. He has escaped the large shackle breaking all its links. These are the false views that curb the people. He has taken off the cross-bar of ignorance. He has become aware of the four noble truths. That person, I describe as a brahmana. Continue reading “Verse 398. A Brahmana Is He Who Has No Hatred”
Who fetters all has severed
does tremble not at all,
who’s gone beyond all bond, unyoked,
that one I call a Brahmin True.
Explanation: He has got rid of all fetters; in consequence, he is free of trepidation and is fearless. He has travelled beyond all bonds. Disengaged from bonds, he is no longer tied to the world. Such a person I describe as a brahmana. Continue reading “Verse 397. A Brahmana Is He Who Has Destroyed All Fetters”
I call him a brahmin though
by womb-born mother’s lineage,
he’s just supercilious
if with sense of ownership,
owning nothing and unattached:
that one I call a Brahmin True.
Explanation: I would not call a person a brahmana merely because he was born out of a brahmana mother’s womb. Nor would I call a person a brahmin merely because he goes about addressing people as sir. These people are full of defilements. I call a person a brahmin who is free of faults and is not given to craving. Continue reading “Verse 396. Non-Possessive And The Non-Attached Person Is A Brahmana”
One enduring rag-robes, lean,
with body o’er spread by veins,
lone in the woods who meditates,
that one I call a Brahmin True.
Explanation: He wears robs made of cast off rags. He is so austere and lean that veins stand out in his body. All alone, he meditates in the forest. Such a seeker if truth, I describe as a brahmano. Continue reading “Verse 395. Who Meditates Alone in the Forest Is A Brahmana”
What’s the coiled hair for?
For what your cloak of skins?
Within you are acquisitive,
you decorate without.
Explanation: Of what use are your exterior sights of asceticism: you matted hair, your leopard skin garment? Your outside you keep clean and bright, while inside you are filled with defilements. Continue reading “Verse 394. Be Pure Within”
