Verse 295. The ‘Killer’ Who Goes Free

One’s mother and father having slain
and then two learned kings,
as well the fifth, a tiger fierce,
one goes immune, a Brahmin True.

Explanation: The brahmin (arahat) kills the mother – craving; kills the father – egotism; kills the two learned kings. They represent the two false views eternalism and nihilism. He kills the five tigers (sensuality, hate, mental inertia, worry and skeptical doubt) that obstruct the path. And, having done all these killings, the arahat goes about unaffected.

 

Treasury of Truth: Illustrated Dhammapada – 423 Verses

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