In the present one monk is always getting angry, even at the slightest annoyance. The Buddha tells a story from the past about how a student vowed vengeance on his teacher for reprimanding him, but when the time came, was persuaded it had been for his own good.

1. Ajjāpi me taṁ manasi, yaṁ maṁ tvaṁ tilamuṭṭhiyā,
Bāhāya maṁ gahetvāna laṭṭhiyā anutāḷayi.

Even today it’s in my mind, what you did to me for a handful of sesame, taking me by the arm you beat me with a stick.

2. Nanu jīvite na ramasi, yenāsi brāhmaṇāgato,
Yaṁ maṁ bāhā gahetvāna, tikkhattuṁ anutāḷayī ti.

Do you not take delight in life, brahmin, that you come by here, having taken ahold of my arms, three times you did batter me.

In this connection, taking me by the arm, in these two lines the accusative is expected with beating and taking. Both the absolutive gahetvāna and the aorist anutāḷayi take the accusative maṁ, as their compliments.

For a handful of sesame is the reason he did beat me, battering me and having taken me by the arm he did batter me, this battering even today is in my mind, this is the meaning here.

Do you not take delight in life, one would think you did not take delight in your life.

Brahmin, that you come by here, why, brahmin, do you come here into my presence?

Having taken ahold of my arms means having taken ahold of my arms, having taken ahold of me by the arm, this is also the meaning.

Three times you did batter me, three times you battered me with a bamboo stick, and now today you will see the fruit, he is being threatened with death, this is what is said.

3. Ariyo anariyaṁ kubbantaṁ, yo daṇḍena nisedhati,
Sāsanaṁ taṁ, na taṁ veraṁ, iti naṁ paṇḍitā vidū ti.

The noble one doing the ignoble, he who censors with a stick, this is right instruction, not hatred, so the wise do understand.

In this connection, noble one, this is term for the good. But there are four kinds of noble: noble behaviour, noble appearance, noble signs, noble penetration. In this connection, whether he is a man or an animal, he who stands on noble behaviour has what is known as noble behaviour. This is also said: Ja 534 Mahāhaṁsajātaka vs. 18.

Bird, you who live nobly, I release your master, he who reveres almsfood, both can go where you will.

Endowed with good form, good posture, confidence, and good looks, he is known as one with noble appearance. This is also said: Ja 524 Saṅkhapālajātaka vs. 1.

You have the appearance of nobility, a confident look, I think the venerable has gone forth from a good family, how is it that you have abandoned all decorations and wealth, departing from the house, having gone forth with wisdom?

He is living after becoming like an ascetic but grasping at clothing, robes and outward signs, also unvirtuous, he is known as one with noble signs. Referring to which this was said: Snp 1.5 Cundasutta vs. 7.

Having dressed up like one true to his vows, a braggart, family-corrupter, vain, deceitful, unrestrained, and talkative, the path-corrupter’s living is disguised. Here it seems patirūpa, usually meaning suitable, fitting, is said for patirūpaka, meaning disguised, counterfeit.

But the Buddha and so on is known as one with noble penetration. Therefore this is said: In Vibh. Cst para 522 (PTS p. 260).

“They say Buddhas, Independent Buddhas and the Buddhas’ disciples are noble ones.”

Amongst these here noble behaviour is intended.

Ignoble means one who is unvirtuous, wicked.

Doing means doing the five kinds of unvirtuous deeds such as killing breathing beings, The other four are: taking what has not been given, sexual misconduct, false speech, taking liquor, wines, or intoxicants which cause heedlessness. or, the meaning of this verse is a person doing an unvirtuous, low, inferior deed driven by hatred and fear.

He who means nobles and so on, whoever.

With a stick means with whatever gives a blow.

Censors means he prevents them by giving a blow, and saying: “Do not do such a thing again.”

This is right instruction, not hatred, great king, when someone does what should not be done, after beating his sons and daughters, or pupils, he censors them with admonishments, advice, and instruction in the world, not with hatred.

So the wise do understand means in such a way the wise do know it.

 

last updated: November 2022