6. Śīlavarga
The Chapter about Virtue
(18 Verses)
[149 ≈ Iti 76:1]
[stm.]
Śīlaṁ rakṣeta medhāvī, prārthayaṁ vai sukhatrayam:
The intelligent one should protect his virtue, while wishing for three happinesses:
praśaṁsā vittalābhaṁ ca, pretya svarge ca modanam. 6.1
praise and the acquisition of wealth, and being glad in heaven after death.
Śīlam (n. acc. sg.) virtue; rakṣeta (3rd. sg. opt.) one should protect; medhāvī (m. nom. sg.) the intelligent one; prārthayam (m. nom. sg. prp.) wishing for; vai (indec.) indeed; sukha-trayam (n. acc. sg.) three happinesses; praśaṁsā (f. nom. sg.) praise; vitta-lābham (m. acc. sg.) acquisition of wealth; ca (indec.) and; pretya (abs.) after death; svarge (m. loc. sg.) in heaven; ca (indec.) and; modanam (n. nom. sg.) being glad.
Sīlaṁ rakkheyya medhāvī, patthayāno tayo sukhe,
The intelligent one should protect his virtue, while wishing for three happinesses:
pasaṁsaṁ vittalābhañ-ca, pecca sagge pamodanaṁ.
praise and the acquisition of wealth, and rejoicing in heaven after death.
[150]
[stm.]
Sthānāny etāni saṁpaśyaṁ śīlaṁ rakṣeta paṇḍitaḥ,
Seeing these states, the wise one should protect his virtue,
āryo darśanasaṁpannaḥ, sa loke labhate śivam. 6.2
the noble one, endowed with insight, obtains safety in the world.
Sthānāni (n. acc. pl.) states; etāni (n. acc. pl. dem. pron.) these; saṁpaśyam (m. nom. sg. prp.) seeing; śīlam (n. acc. sg.) virtue; rakṣeta (3rd. sg. opt.) one should protect; paṇḍitaḥ (m. nom. sg.) the wise one; āryaḥ (m. nom. sg.) noble one; darśana-saṁpannaḥ (m. nom. sg.) endowed with insight; saḥ (m. nom. sg. dem. pron.) that one; loke (m. loc. sg.) in the world; labhate (3rd. sg. pres.) obtains; śivam (n. acc. sg.) safety.
[151]
[stm.]
Sukhaṁ śīlasamādānaṁ, kāyo na paridahyate,
Good is the undertaking of virtue, the body is not afflicted,
sukhaṁ ca rātrau svapati, pratibuddhaś ca nandati. 6.3
good one sleeps at night, and, having wakened, one is joyful.
Sukham (n. nom. sg.) good; śīla-samādānam (n. nom. sg.) the undertaking of virtue; kāyaḥ (m. nom. sg.) the body; na (indec.) not; paridahyate (3rd. sg. pass.) is afflicted; sukham (n. nom. sg.) good; ca (indec.) and; rātrau (indec.) by night; svapati (3rd. sg. pres.) sleeps; pratibuddhaḥ (abs.) having awakened; ca (indec.) and; nandati (3rd. sg. pres.) one rejoices.
[152 ≈ SN 1.51:2]
[stm.]
Śīlaṁ yāvaj jarā sādhu, śraddhā sādhu pratiṣṭhitā,
Virtue is good up to old age, established faith is good,
prajñā narāṇāṁ ratnaṁ vai, puṇyaṁ coraiḥ sudurharam. 6.4
wisdom is a jewel amongst humans indeed, it is hard for merit to be carried off by thieves.
Śīlam (n. nom. sg.) virtue; yāvat (indec.) as long as; jarā (f. nom. sg.) old age; sādhu (indec.) good; śraddhā (f. nom. sg.) faith; sādhu (indec.) good; pratiṣṭhitā (f. nom. sg. pp.) established; prajñā (f. nom. sg.) wisdom; narāṇām (m. gen. pl.) amongst humans; ratnam (n. nom. sg.) a jewel; vai (indec.) indeed; puṇyam (n. nom. sg.) merit; coraiḥ (m. inst. pl.) by thieves; su-dur-haram (n. nom. sg.) ard to be carried off.
Sīlaṁ yāva jarā sādhu, saddhā sādhu patiṭṭhitā,
Virtue is good up to old age, established faith is good,
paññā narānaṁ ratanaṁ, puññaṁ corehi dūharaṁ.
wisdom is a jewel amongst humans, it is hard for merit to be carried off by thieves.
[153 cf. Iti 29.2d]
[stm.]
Kṛtvā puṇyāni saprajño, datvā dānāni śīlavān,
The wise and virtuous one, having made merit and given gifts,
iha cātha paratrāsau sukhaṁ samadhigacchati. 6.5
that one then attains happiness both here and in the next world.
Kṛtvā (abs.) having made; puṇyāni (n. acc. pl.) having merit; sa-prajñaḥ (m. nom. sg.) the wise one; datvā (abs.) having given; dānāni (n. acc. pl.) gifts; śīlavān (m. nom. sg.) the virtuous one; iha (indec.) here; ca (indec.) and; atha (indec.) then; paratra (indec.) in the next world; asau (m. nom. sg. dem. pron.) that one; sukham (n. acc. coll. sg.) happiness; samadhigacchati (3rd. sg. pres.) attains.
[154-155 cf. Dhp 8b-c; g-h cf. Dhp 32c-d]
[stm.]
Śīle pratiṣṭhito bhikṣur, indriyaiś ca susaṁvṛtaḥ,
A monastic, established in virtue, well-restrained with the sense-faculties,
bhojane cāpi mātrajño, yukto jāgarikāsu ca, 6.6
knowing the measure in food, and devoted to wakefulness,
Śīle (n. loc. sg.) in virtue; pratiṣṭhitaḥ (m. nom. sg. pp.) established; bhikṣuḥ (m. nom. sg.) a monastic; indriyaiḥ (n. inst. pl.) with the sense-faculties; ca (indec.) and; su-saṁvṛtaḥ (m. nom. sg.) well-restrained; bhojane (n. loc. sg.) in food; ca (indec.) and; api (indec.) also; mātra-jñaḥ (m. nom. sg.) knowing the measure; yuktaḥ (m. nom. sg. pp.) devoted; jāgarikāsu (f. loc. pl.) to wakefulness; ca (indec.) and.
viharann evam ātāpī, hy ahorātram atandritaḥ,
dwelling in this way ardently, diligent, day and night,
abhavyaḥ parihāṇāya: Nirvāṇasyaiva so ’ntike. 6.7
falling away is impossible for him: that one is indeed in the presence of Nirvāṇa.
Viharan (m. nom. sg. prp.) dwelling; evam (indec.) in this way; ātāpī (m. nom. sg.) ardent; hy (separator); aho-rātram (indec.) day and night; a-tandritaḥ (m. nom. sg.) the diligent; a-bhavyaḥ (m. nom. sg.) impossible; parihāṇāya (f. dat. sg.) of falling away; Nirvāṇasya (n. gen. sg.) of Nirvāṇa; eva (indec.) indeed; saḥ (m. nom. sg. dem. pron.) that one; antike (n. loc. sg.) in the presence.
Asubhānupassiṁ viharantaṁ, indriyesu susaṁvutaṁ,
Living contemplating the unpleasant, well-controlled in the sense faculties,
bhojanamhi ca mattaññuṁ, saddhaṁ āraddhavīriyaṁ.
and knowing the measure in food, faithful, with energy aroused.
————
Appamādarato bhikkhu, pamāde bhayadassivā,
A monastic who delights in heedfulness, who sees danger in heedlessness,
abhabbo parihānāya: Nibbānasseva santike.
falling away is impossible for him: he is indeed in the presence of Nibbāna.
[156 cf. SN 1.23:2]
[adm.]
Śīle pratiṣṭhito bhikṣuś, cittaṁ prajñāṁ ca bhāvayet,
A monastic established in virtue, should cultivate the mind and wisdom,
ātāpī nipako nityaṁ, prāpnuyād duḥkhasaṁkṣayam. 6.8
being constantly ardent and discerning, he can attain the complete destruction of suffering.
Śīle (n. loc. sg.) in virtue; pratiṣṭhitaḥ (m. nom. sg. pp.) established; bhikṣuḥ (m. nom. sg.) a monastic; cittam (n. acc. sg.) the mind; prajñām (f. acc. sg.) wisdom; ca (indec.) and; bhāvayet (3rd. sg. opt.) one should cultivate; ātāpī (m. nom. sg.) ardent; nipakaḥ (m. nom. sg.) discerning; nityam (indec.) constantly; prāpnuyāt (3rd. sg. opt.) he can attain; duḥkha-saṁkṣayam (m. acc. sg.) the complete destruction of suffering.
Sīle patiṭṭhāya naro sapañño, cittaṁ paññañ-ca bhāvayaṁ,
A wise human established in virtue, with cultivated mind and wisdom,
ātāpī nipako bhikkhu, so imaṁ vijaṭaye jaṭaṁ.
a monastic, ardent, discerning, should untangle this tangle.
[157]
[adm.]
Tasmāt satataśīlī syāt, samādher anurakṣakaḥ,
Therefore, one should be ever virtuous, a guardian of concentration,
vipaśyanāyāṁ śikṣec ca, saṁprajānapratismṛtaḥ. 6.9
and one should train in insight, clearly comprehending and mindful.
Tasmāt (indec.) therefore; satata-śīlī (m. nom. sg.) ever virtuous; syāt (3rd. sg. opt.) one should be; samādheḥ (m. gen. sg.) of concentration; anurakṣakaḥ (m. nom. sg.) a guardian; vipaśyanāyām (f. loc. sg.) in insight; śikṣet (3rd. sg. opt.) should train; ca (indec.) and; saṁprajāna-pratismṛtaḥ (m. nom. sg.) clearly comprehending and mindful.
[158]
[stm.]
Sa tu vikṣīnasaṁyogaḥ, kṣīṇamāno niraupadhiḥ,
But one, with yokes destroyed, with conceit destroyed, without adherence,
kāyasya bhedāt, saprajñaḥ, saṁkhyān nopaiti, nirvṛtaḥ. 6.10
upon the break up of the body, the wise one, emancipated, does not undergo reckoning.
Saḥ (m. nom. sg. dem. pron.) that one; tu (indec.) but; vikṣīṇa-saṁyogaḥ (m. nom. sg.) with yokes destroyed; kṣīṇa-mānaḥ (m. nom. sg.) with conceit destroyed; nir-aupadhiḥ (m. nom. sg.) without adherence; kāyasya (m. gen. sg.) of the body; bhedāt (m. abl. sg.) upon the break up; sa-prajñaḥ (m. nom. sg.) the wise one; saṁkhyām (f. acc. sg.) reckoning; na (indec.) not; upaiti (3rd. sg. pres.) undergoes; nirvṛtaḥ (m. nom. sg. pp.) emancipated.
[159 cf. Iti 59:1a-b]
[stm.]
Śīlaṁ samādhiḥ prajñā ca yasya hy ete subhāvitāḥ,
For whom these: virtue, concentration and wisdom, are well-developed,
so ’tyantaniṣṭho vimalas tv aśokaḥ kṣīṇasaṁbhavaḥ. 6.11
that one is steadfastly grounded, stainless, griefless, with existence destroyed.
Śīlam (n. nom. sg.) virtue; samādhiḥ (m. nom. sg.) concentration; prajñā (f. nom. sg.) wisdom; ca (indec.) and; yasya (m. gen. sg. rel. pron.) for whom; hy (separator); ete (m. nom. pl. dem. pron.) these; su-bhāvitāḥ (m. nom. pl. pp.) well-developed; saḥ (m. nom. sg. dem. pron.) that one; atyanta-niṣṭhaḥ (m. nom. sg.) steadfastly grounded; vi-malaḥ (m. nom. sg.) stainless; tv (euphonic particle); a-śokaḥ (m. nom. sg.) griefless; kṣīṇa-saṁbhavaḥ (m. nom. sg.) with existence destroyed.
Sīlaṁ samādhi paññā ca, yassa ete subhāvitā,
For whom these: virtue, concentration and wisdom, are well-developed,
atikkamma Māradheyyaṁ, ādicco va virocati.
having overcome Māra’s domain, one shines like the sun.
[160 cf. Iti 59:1c-d]
[stm. + sim.]
Saṅgāt pramukto hy asita, ājñātāvī niraupadhiḥ,
Freed from attachment, independent, possessing perfect knowledge, without adherence,
atikramya Māraviṣayam, ādityo vā virocate. 6.12
having overcome Māra’s domain, one shines like the sun.
Saṅgāt (m. abl. sg.) from attachment; pramuktaḥ (m. nom. sg. pp.) freed; hi (indec.) indeed; asita (m. nom. sg.) independent; ājñātāvī (m. nom. sg.) possessor of perfect knowledge; nir-aupadhiḥ (m. nom. sg.) without adherence; atikramya (abs.) having overcome; Māra-viṣayam (m. acc. sg.) Māra’s domain; ādityaḥ (m. nom. sg.) the sun; vā (indec.) like; virocate (3rd. sg. pres.) one shines.
Sīlaṁ samādhi paññā ca, yassa ete subhāvitā,
For whom these: virtue, concentration and wisdom, are well-developed,
atikkamma Māradheyyaṁ, ādicco va virocati.
having overcome Māra’s domain, one shines like the sun.
[161 ≈ Thag 634]
[stm.]
Uddhatasya pramattasya, bhikṣuṇo bahirātmanaḥ,
For the monastic who is arrogant, heedless, himself directed to the exterior,
śīlaṁ samādhiḥ prajñā ca pāripūriṁ na gacchati. 6.13
virtue, concentration and wisdom do not reach fulfilment.
Uddhatasya (m. gen. sg. pp.) for an arrogant one; pramattasya (m. gen. sg. pp.) for a heedless one; bhikṣuṇaḥ (m. gen. sg.) for the monastic; bahis-ātmanaḥ (m. gen. sg.) for himself directed to the exterior; śīlam (n. nom. sg.) virtue; samādhiḥ (m. nom. sg.) concentration; prajñā (f. nom. sg.) wisdom; ca (indec.) and; pāripūrim (f. acc. sg.) fulfillment; na (indec.) not; gacchati (3rd. sg. pres.) reaches.
Unnaḷassa pamattassa, bāhirāsassa bhikkhuno,
For the monastic who is arrogant, heedless, with hope in the exterior,
sīlaṁ samādhi paññā ca pāripūriṁ na gacchati.
virtue, concentration and wisdom do not reach fulfilment.
[162 ≈ Thag 447]
[adm. + ana.]
Channam evābhivarṣati, vivṛtaṁ nābhivarṣati,
It rains down on what is covered, it does not rain down on what is open,
tasmād dhi cchannaṁ vivared, evaṁ taṁ nābhivarṣati. 6.14
therefore, one should open up what is covered, so it does not rain down on it.
Channam (n. acc. sg. pp.) the covered; eva (indec.) indeed; abhivarṣati (3rd. sg. pres.) rain down on; vivṛtam (n. acc. sg. pp.) the open; na (indec.) not; abhivarṣati (3rd. sg. pres.) rain down on; tasmāt (indec.) therefore; hi (indec.) indeed; channam (n. acc. sg.) the covered; vivaret (3rd. sg. opt.) one should open; evam (indec.) so; tam (n. acc. sg. dem. pron.) it; na (indec.) not; abhivarṣati (3rd. sg. pres.) rain down on.
Channam-ativassati, vivaṭaṁ nātivassati,
It rains down on what is covered, it does not rain down on what is open,
tasmā channaṁ vivaretha, evaṁ taṁ nātivassati.
therefore one should open up what is covered, so it does not rain down on it. The Pāḷi commentary on this otherwise obscure verse, says it refers to offenses that are concealed, and those confessed. When concealed, the rain of defilements pours down; when confessed, the rain does not fall upon the person, who is without defilements.
[163 cf. Dhp 289]
[adm.]
Etad dhi dṛṣṭvā śikṣeta sadā śīleṣu paṇḍitaḥ,
Having seen this, the wise one should always train in virtue,
Nirvāṇagamanaṁ mārgaṁ kṣipram eva viśodhayet. 6.15
he should quickly purify the path leading to Nirvāṇa.
Etat (n. nom. sg. dem. pron.) this ; hi (metrical filler); dṛṣṭvā (abs.) having seen; śikṣeta (3rd. sg. opt.) one should train; sadā (indec.) always; śīleṣu (n. loc. pl.) in virtue; paṇḍitaḥ (m. nom. sg.) the wise one; Nirvāṇa-gamanam (m. acc. sg.) leading to Nirvāṇa; mārgam (m. acc. sg.) the path; kṣipram (n. acc. sg. adj.–>adv.) quickly; eva (indec.) indeed; viśodhayet (3rd. sg. opt.) should purify.
Etam-atthavasaṁ ñatvā, paṇḍito sīlasaṁvuto,
Understanding the advantage of this, the wise one, restrained in virtue,
Nibbānagamanaṁ maggaṁ khippam-eva visodhaye.
should quickly purify the path leading to Nibbāna.
[164 ≈ Dhp 54]
[stm. + ana.]
Na puṣpagandhaḥ prativātam eti, na vāhnijāt tagarac candanād vā,
The fragrance of flowers does not go against the wind, nor do jasmine, pinwheel or sandalwood,
satāṁ tu gandhaḥ prativātam eti, sarvā diśaḥ satpuruṣaḥ pravāti. 6.16
but the fragrance of the good does go against the wind, the good person pervades all directions.
Na (indec.) not; puṣpa-gandhaḥ (m. nom. sg.) the fragrance of a flower; prativātam (n. acc. sg.) against the wind; eti (3rd. sg. pres.) goes; na (indec.) nor; vā (indec.) or; ahnijāt (m. abl. sg.) from jasmine; tagarat (m. abl. sg.) from pinwheel; candanāt (m. abl. sg.) from sandalwood; vā (indec.) or; satām (m. gen. pl.) of the good; tu (indec.) but; gandhaḥ (m. nom. sg.) fragrance; prativātam (indec.) against the wind; eti (3rd. sg. pres.) goes; sarvāḥ (f. acc. pl.) all; diśaḥ (f. acc. pl.) directions; sat-puruṣaḥ (m. nom. sg.) a good person; pravāti (3rd. sg. pres.) pervades.
Na pupphagandho paṭivātam-eti, na candanaṁ tagaramallikā vā,
The fragrance of flowers does not go against the wind, nor do sandalwood, pinwheel or white jasmine,
satañ-ca gandho paṭivātam-eti, sabbā disā sappuriso pavāyati.
but the fragrance of the good does go against the wind, the good person pervades all directions.
[165 ≈ Dhp 55]
[stm. + ana.]
Tagarāc candanāc cāpi, vārṣikāyās tathotpalāt,
Among pinwheel, sandalwood, flowery jasmine, likewise the blue water lily,
etebhyo gandhajātebhyaḥ, śīlagandhas tv anuttaraḥ. 6.17
among these kinds of good fragrance, Note the different cases used to set up the comparison: the Udānavarga uses the ablative (etebhyaḥ), creating a sense of: from among these kinds of fragrances, implying a selection from a category. The Pāli uses the more straightforward accusative of comparison (etesaṁ), meaning: in relation to these, which sets up a direct, side-by-side contrast. While the ablative can imply inclusion within the group for the sake of comparison, its primary function here is to establish the group from which virtue’s fragrance is distinguished as supreme. the fragrance of virtue is unsurpassed.
Tagarāt (m. abl. sg.) from the pinwheel flower; candanāt (m. abl. sg.) from sandalwood; ca (indec.) and; api (indec.) also; vārṣikāyāḥ (f. abl. sg.) from jasmine; tathā (indec.) likewise; utpalāt (n. abl. sg.) from the blue water lily; etebhyaḥ (m. abl. pl. dem. pron.) among these; gandha-jātebhyaḥ (m. abl. pl.) from kinds of fragrances; śīla-gandhaḥ (m. nom. sg.) the fragrance of virtue; tv (euphonic particle); an-uttaraḥ (m. nom. sg.) unsurpassed.
Candanaṁ tagaraṁ vā pi, uppalaṁ atha vassikī,
To sandalwood, pinwheel also water lily and striped jasmine,
etesaṁ gandhajātānaṁ, sīlagandho anuttaro.
to these kinds of good fragrance, the fragrance of virtue is unsurpassed.
[166 ≈ Dhp 56]
[stm. + ana.]
Alpamātro hy ayaṁ gandho, yo ’yaṁ tagaracandanāt,
Insignificant is this fragrance, that which arises from pinwheel and sandalwood,
yas tu śīlavatāṁ gandho vāti deveṣv apīha saḥ. 6.18
but the fragrance of one who has virtue here blows even amongst the Devas.
Alpa-mātraḥ (m. nom. sg.) insignificant; hy (separator); ayam (m. nom. sg. dem. pron.) this; gandhaḥ (m. nom. sg.) fragrance; yaḥ (m. nom. sg. rel. pron.) which; ayam (m. nom. sg. dem. pron.) this; tagara-candanāt (m. abl. sg.) from pinwheel and sandalwood; yaḥ (m. nom. sg. rel. pron.) who has; tu (indec.) but; śīlavatām (m. gen. pl.) of one who has virtue; gandhaḥ (m. nom. sg.) fragrance; vāti (3rd. sg. pres.) blows; deveṣu (m. loc. pl.) amongst the Devas; api (indec.) even; iha (indec.) here; saḥ (m. nom. sg. dem. pron.) that.
Appamatto ayaṁ gandho, yāyaṁ tagaracandanī,
Insignificant is this fragrance, that which arises from pinwheel and sandalwood,
yo ca sīlavataṁ gandho vāti devesu uttamo.
but the fragrance of one who has virtue blows supreme amongst the Devas.
[167 ≈ Dhp 57]
[stm.]
Teṣāṁ viśuddhaśīlānām, apramādavihāriṇām,
For those of pure virtue, who live heedfully,
samyagājñāvimuktānāṁ – Māro mārgaṁ na vindati. 6.19
who are freed through right knowledge – Māra cannot find their path.
Teṣām (m. gen. pl. dem. pron.) for those; viśuddha-śīlānām (m. gen. pl.) for pure virtue; a-pramāda-vihāriṇām (m. gen. pl.) of those who live heedfully; samyak-ājñā-vimuktānām (m. gen. pl.) for those freed by right knowledge; Māraḥ (m. nom. sg.) Māra; mārgam (m. acc. sg.) the path; na (indec.) not; vindati (3rd. sg. pres.) finds.
Tesaṁ sampannasīlānaṁ, appamādavihārinaṁ,
For those who are endowed with virtue, who live heedfully,
sammad-aññāvimuttānaṁ – Māro maggaṁ na vindati.
and who are freed through right knowledge – Māra cannot find their path.
[168 cf. Dhp 276]
[stm.]
Eṣa kṣemagamo mārga, The undeclined form mārga (for mārgaḥ) is a Middle Indo-Aryan (Prakrit) feature common in Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit, perhaps showing the vernacular influence on the text’s composition. As vowels are normally separated in this text, we might have expected mārgaḥ here, to keep the vowels apart, but no manuscript supports the reading. eṣa mārgo viśuddhaye,
This is the path leading to safety, this is the path to purification,
pratipannakāḥ prahāsyanti dhyāyino Mārabandhanam. 6.20
the meditators who enter this path will abandon the bonds of Māra.
Eṣaḥ (m. nom. sg. dem. pron.) this; kṣema-gamaḥ (m. nom. sg.) leading to safety; mārgaḥ (m. nom. sg.) the path; eṣaḥ (m. nom. sg. dem. pron.) this; mārgaḥ (m. nom. sg.) the path; viśuddhaye (f. dat. sg.) to purification; pratipannakāḥ (m. nom. pl.) those who have entered; prahāsyanti (3rd. pl. fut.) they will abandon; dhyāyinaḥ (m. nom. pl.) the meditators; Māra-bandhanam (n. acc. sg.) the bonds of Māra.
Tumhehi kiccaṁ ātappaṁ akkhātāro Tathāgatā,
Your duty is to have ardour, declare the Realised Ones,
paṭipannā pamokkhanti jhāyino Mārabandhanā.
the meditators who enter this path are released from the bonds of Māra.
Śīlavargaḥ, 6.
The Chapter about Virtue, the Sixth.