Book XXIII. The Elephant, Nāga Vagga

320, 321, 322

Even as an elephant engaged in the fray withstands arrows shot from the bow,
So also must I bear abuse, for the multitude is wicked.

It is a tamed elephant they lead to battle; it is a tamed elephant the king mounts;
It is the tamed that is best among men, he that endures abuse patiently.

Of surpassing excellence are mules which are tamed, and well-bred Sindh horses,
And great elephants of the jungle; but better yet is the man who has tamed himself.

323

For it is not on riding-animals such as these that one may go to that region to which one has not yet gone;
Tamed must one go upon the tamed; namely, upon one’s own well-tamed self.

324

The elephant Dhanapāla, with pungent juice flowing from his temples, hard to restrain,
Eats not a morsel so long as he is held captive; the elephant remembers the elephant-grove.

325

If a man gives way to indolence, eats overmuch,
Spends his time in sleep, and lies and rolls about
Like a great hog fed on grain,
Such a simpleton will enter the womb again and again.

326

These thoughts of mine once wandered hither and thither
Wherever they liked, wherever they desired, wherever they pleased;
But hereafter I shall control them perfectly,
Even as an elephant-driver controls an elephant in rut with his hook.

327

Be joyful in heedfulness, guard well your thoughts.
Extricate yourselves from the quagmire, even as an elephant that is stuck fast in the mud.

328, 329, 330

Should one find a prudent companion to walk with, an upright man and steadfast,
Let one walk with him, joyful, mindful, overcoming all dangers.

Should one not find a prudent companion to walk with, an upright man and steadfast,
Then, like a king renouncing the kingdom he has conquered, let one walk alone,
Like an elephant roaming at will in an elephant-forest.

The life of solitude is better; one cannot be friends with a simpleton;
Free from desire, like an elephant roaming at will in an elephant-forest.

331, 332, 333

When need arises, pleasant are companions;
Pleasant is enjoyment, when one shares it with another;
Works of merit give pleasure at the hour of death;
Pleasant is it to leave behind all suffering.

Pleasant is motherhood in this world, and pleasant is fatherhood;
Pleasant is the estate of a monk in this world, and pleasant is the estate of a Brahman.

Pleasant is a life of righteousness unto old age, pleasant is faith firmly established,
Pleasant is the attainment of wisdom, pleasant is the avoiding of evil.