Speak not harshly to other folk,
speaking so, they may retort.
Dukkha indeed is quarrelsome speech
and force for force may hurt you.
Explanation: Never speak harsh words. If you do, you will also be replied to in the same vein. This kind of cross-talk is painful. It may lead to an exchange of blows. Continue reading “Verse 133. Retaliation Brings Unhappiness”
Whoever doesn’t harms with force
those desiring happiness,
as seeker after happiness
one gains future joy.
Explanation: If people who are in search of pleasure and happiness for themselves, do not hurt or torture others or give pain to others, then they achieve happiness in the next life too.
Whoever harms with force
those desiring happiness,
as seeker after happiness
one gains no future joy.
Explanation: People who like to be happy and are in search of pleasure hurt others through various acts of violence for their own happiness. These victims too want to be happy as much as those who inflict pain on them. Those who inflict pain do not achieve happiness even in their next birth. Continue reading “Verse 131. Those Who Do Not Receive Happiness”
All tremble at force,
dear is life to all.
Likening others to oneself
kill not nor cause to kill.
Explanation: All are frightened of being hurt or any threat to one’s life. To all life is dear. Seeing that others feel the same way as oneself, equating others to oneself, refrain from harming or killing. Continue reading “Verse 130. To All Life Is Dear”
All tremble at force,
of death are all afraid.
Likening others to oneself
kill not nor cause to kill.
Explanation: All tremble at violence, all fear death. Comparing oneself with others do not harm, do not kill. Continue reading “Verse 129. Of Others Think Of As Your Own Self”
Neither in sky nor surrounding by sea,
nor by dwelling in a mountain cave,
nowhere is found that place in earth
where one’s by death not overcome.
Explanation: Not in the sky, nor in the ocean midst, not even in a cave of a mountain rock, is there a hiding place where one could escape death. Continue reading “Verse 128. No Escape From Death”
Neither in sky nor surrounding by sea,
nor by dwelling in a mountain cave,
nowhere is found that place in earth
where one’s from evil kamma free.
Explanation: There is not a single spot on Earth an evil-doer can take shelter in to escape the results of evil actions. No such place is seen out there in space, or in the middle of the ocean. Neither in an opening, a cleft or a crevice in a rocky mountain can he shelter to escape the results of his evil action. Continue reading “Verse 127. Shelter Against Death”
Some find birth within a womb,
evil-doer quicken in hell,
good-farers to the heavens go,
the Unpolluted wholly cool.
Explanation: Some, after death, receive conception in wombs, Those who have committed sins in their lifetime are reborn in hell. Those whose ways have been virtuous when they were alive go to heaven when they die. These blemishless ones who are totally free of taints and corruptions, achieve total Nibbana, on giving up their mortal lives. Continue reading “Verse 126. Those Who Pass Away”
Who offends the inoffensive,
the innocent and blameless one,
upon that fool does evil fall
as fine dust flung against the wind.
Explanation: If an ignorant person were to become harsh and crude towards a person who is without blemishes, pure, and is untouched by corruption, that sinful act will return to the evil-doer. It is very much like the fine dust thrown against the wind. The dust will return to the thrower. Continue reading “Verse 125. Wrong Done To Others Returns To Doer”
If in the hand’s no wound
poison one may bear.
A woundless one is poisoned not,
non-doers have no evil.
Explanation: If a person has no wound in his palm, that person can carry poison in his hand. In the same way, to a person who has not committed an evil action, there is no fear of evil consequences. Continue reading “Verse 124. Evil Results From Bad Intentions”
