13. Satkāravarga
The Chapter about Honour
(19 Verses)
[268 ≈ SN 6.12:1]
[stm. + sim.]
Phalaṁ vai kadaliṁ hanti, phalaṁ veṇuṁ phalaṁ naḍam,
The fruit indeed destroys the banana, the bamboo, the reed,
satkāraḥ kāpuruṣaṁ hanti, svagarbho ’śvatarīṁ yathā. 13.1
honour destroys a bad person, just as its own offspring destroys a mule.
Phalam (n. nom. sg.) a fruit; vai (indec.) indeed; kadalim (f. acc. sg.) the banana plant; hanti (3rd. sg. pres.) destroys; phalam (n. nom. sg.) a fruit; veṇum (m. acc. sg.) the bamboo; phalam (n. nom. sg.) a fruit; naḍam (m. acc. sg.) the reed; satkāraḥ (m. nom. sg.) honour; kā-puruṣam (m. acc. sg.) a bad person; hanti (3rd. sg. pres.) destroys; sva-garbhaḥ (m. nom. sg.) its own offspring; aśvatarīm (f. acc. sg.) the female mule; yathā (indec.) just as.
Phalaṁ ve kadaliṁ hanti, phalaṁ veḷuṁ, phalaṁ naḷaṁ,
The fruit indeed destroys the banana, the bamboo, the reed,
sakkāro kāpurisaṁ hanti, gabbho assatariṁ yathā.
honour destroys a bad person, just as its offspring destroys a mule.
[269 ≈ Dhp 72]
[stm.]
Yāvad eva hy anarthāya jñāto bhavati bāliśaḥ,
Only to his ruination does a fool have learning,
hanti bālasya śuklāṁśaṁ, mūrdhānaṁ cāsya pātayet. 13.2
it destroys the fool’s good fortune, it would split open his head.
Yāvad eva (indec.) only as long as; hi (indec.) for; an-arthāya (m. dat. sg.) for ruination; jñātaḥ (m. nom. sg. pp.) learning; bhavati (3rd. sg. pres.) have; bāliśaḥ (m. nom. sg.) a fool; hanti (3rd. sg. pres.) it destroys; bālasya (m. gen. sg.) of the fool; śukla-aṁśam (m. acc. sg.) good fortune; mūrdhānam (m. acc. sg.) the head; ca (indec.) and; asya (m. gen. sg. dem. pron.) his; pātayet (3rd. sg. opt.) it would split open.
Yāvad-eva anatthāya ñattaṁ bālassa jāyati,
Only to his ruination does learning arise for a fool,
hanti bālassa sukkaṁsaṁ, muddham-assa vipātayaṁ.
it destroys the fool’s good fortune, it would split open his head.
[270 ≈ Dhp 73]
[stm.]
Asanto lābham icchanti satkāraṁ caiva bhikṣuṣu,
Bad people wish for gains and honour amongst the monastics,
āvāseṣu ca mātsaryaṁ, pūjāṁ parakuleṣu ca. 13.3
selfish (control) over the living quarters, and worship amongst other families.
Asantaḥ (m. nom. pl.) bad people; lābham (m. acc. sg.) gain; icchanti (3rd. pl. pres.) they wish; ca (indec.) and; eva (indec.) indeed; satkāram (m. acc. sg.) honour; bhikṣuṣu (m. loc. pl.) among the monastics; āvāseṣu (m. loc. pl.) in living quarters; ca (indec.) and; mātsaryam (n. acc. sg.) selfishness; pūjām (f. acc. sg.) worship; para-kuleṣu (n. loc. pl.) in others’ families; ca (indec.) and.
Asataṁ bhāvanam-iccheyya, purekkhārañ-ca bhikkhusu,
A bad person may wish for respect, and status amongst the monastics,
āvāsesu ca issariyaṁ, pūjā parakulesu ca.
control over the living quarters, and worship amongst other families.
[271-272ab I have divided the following three verses differently to Bernhard, as it seems more coherent to follow the Pāḷi division. ≈ Dhp 74]
[stm.]
“Mām eva nityaṁ jānīyur gṛhī pravrajitas tathā,
“A householder and one who has gone forth alike should always acknowledge me alone,
mama prativaśāś ca syuḥ, kṛtyākṛtyeṣu keṣu cit,” 13.4
let them be under my influence, in anything to be done and not done,”
iti bālasya saṁkalpā, icchāmānābhivardhakāḥ. 13.5a-b
such are the intentions of a fool, his desires and conceit increase.
13.4: Mām (acc. sg. pers. pron.) me; eva (indec.) alone; nityam (indec.) always; jānīyuḥ (3rd. pl. opt.) they should acknowledge; gṛhī (m. nom. sg.) the householder; pravrajitaḥ (m. nom. sg.) one who has gone forth; tathā (indec.) alike; mama (gen. sg. pers. pron.) my; prativaśāḥ (m. nom. pl.) under the influence; ca (indec.) and; syuḥ (3rd. pl. opt.) let them be; kṛtya-a-kṛtyeṣu (n. loc. pl. pp.) in things to be done and not to be done; keṣu cit (n. loc. pl. indef. pron.) in anything.
13.5a-b: Iti (indec.) thus; bālasya (m. gen. sg.) of the fool; saṁkalpāḥ (m. nom. pl.) intentions; icchā (f. nom. sg.) desire; mānā (m. nom. sg.) conceit; abhivardhakāḥ (m. nom. pl.) increase.
“Mameva kata’ maññantu gihī pabbajitā ubho,
“Householders and those who have gone forth should both think this was done by me,
mameva ativasā assu, kiccākiccesu kismici,”
let them be under my influence, in anything to be done and not done,”
iti bālassa saṅkappo, icchā māno ca vaḍḍhati.
such is the intention of a fool, his desires and conceit increase.
[272cd-273 ≈ Dhp 75]
[adm.]
Anyā hi lābhopaniṣad, anyā Nirvāṇagāminī, 13.5c-d
For the means to gains is one thing, the way leading to Nirvāṇa another,
etaj jñātvā yathābhūtaṁ Buddhānāṁ śrāvakaḥ sadā
always knowing this, as it is, a disciple of the Buddhas
satkāraṁ nābhinandeta, vivekaṁ anubṛṁhayet. As far as I can see this is only one of three instances in the Udānavarga where anuśvāra is followed by a vowel. It is usually kept separate by hy being inserted between the two. The other two instances are in the Uddāna, which is probably written by a different scribe. 13.6
should not take delight in honour, but be devoted to seclusion.
Anyā (f. nom. sg.) one; hi (metrical filler); lābha-upaniṣad (f. nom. sg.) the means to gain; anyā (f. nom. sg.) another; Nirvāṇa-gāminī (f. nom. sg.) way leading to Nirvāṇa; etat (n. nom. sg. dem. pron.) this ; jñātvā (abs.) having known; yathā-bhūtam (indec.) as it really is; Buddhānām (m. gen. pl.) of the Buddhas; śrāvakaḥ (m. nom. sg.) a disciple; sadā (indec.) always; satkāram (m. acc. sg.) honour; na (indec.) not; abhinandeta (3rd. sg. opt.) should delight in; vivekam (m. acc. sg.) seclusion; anubṛṁhayet (3rd. sg. opt.) one should be devoted to.
Aññā hi lābhūpanisā, aññā Nibbānagāminī,
For the means to gains is one thing, the way leading to Nibbāna another,
evam-etaṁ abhiññāya bhikkhu Buddhassa sāvako
thus knowing this a monastic disciple of the Buddha
sakkāraṁ nābhinandeyya, vivekam-anubrūhaye.
should not take delight in honours, but be devoted to seclusion.
[274 ≈ Ud. 6.2]
[adm.]
Na vyāyamente sarvatra, nānyeṣāṁ puruṣo bhavet,
One should not endeavour everywhere, one should not be a person belonging to others, Lit: A person should not be for others, meaning be under their control, their influence.
nānyāṁ niḥśritya jīveta, dharmeṇa na vaṇik caret. 13.7
one should not live relying on another, As anyām is in the feminine, it indicates that another refers to a woman. a merchant should not live unrighteously. Here the negative affects both the verb and the manner.
Na (indec.) not; vyāyamente (3rd. sg. opt.) one should endeavour; sarvatra (indec.) everywhere; na (indec.) not; anyeṣām (m. gen. pl.) of others; puruṣaḥ (m. nom. sg.) a person; bhavet (3rd. sg. opt.) should be; na (indec.) not; anyām (f. acc. sg.) another (woman); niḥśritya (abs.) relying on; jīveta (3rd. sg. opt.) one should live; dharmeṇa (m. inst. sg.) with righteousness; na (indec.) not; vaṇik (m. nom. sg.) a merchant; caret (3rd. sg. opt.) one should live.
Na vāyameyya sabbattha, nāññassa puriso siyā,
One should not endeavour everywhere, one should not be a person belonging to others,
nāññaṁ nissāya jīveyya, Dhammena na vaṇiṁ care.
one should not live relying on another, one should not live trading in Dhamma. The change from m. nom. sg. to m. acc. sg. forces the change in meaning.
[275 ≈ Dhp 365]
[adm.]
Svalābhaṁ nāvamanyeta, nānyeṣāṁ spṛhako bhavet,
One should not despise one’s own gains, I.e. one own’s gains, however small, are still enough to live on. Be content with that. one should not be envious of others,
anyeṣāṁ spṛhako bhikṣuḥ samādhiṁ nādhigacchati. 13.8
the monastic who is envious of others does not attain concentration.
Sva-lābham (m. acc. coll. sg.) one’s own gains; na (indec.) not; avamanyeta (3rd. sg. opt.) one should despise; na (indec.) not; anyeṣām (m. gen. pl.) of others; spṛhakaḥ (m. nom. sg.) envious; bhavet (3rd. sg. opt.) one should be; anyeṣām (m. gen. pl.) of others; spṛhakaḥ (m. nom. sg.) envious; bhikṣuḥ (m. nom. sg.) a monastic; samādhim (m. acc. sg.) concentration; na (indec.) not; adhigacchati (3rd. sg. pres.) attains.
Salābhaṁ nātimaññeyya, nāññesaṁ pihayaṁ care,
One should not despise one’s own gains, one should not not be envious of others,
aññesaṁ pihayaṁ bhikkhu samādhiṁ nādhigacchati.
the monastic who is envious of others does not attain concentration.
[276 ≈ Thag 229]
[stm. + sim.]
Sukhaṁ jīvitum icchec cec chramaṇyārtheṣv avekṣavān,
If one who reflects upon the goals of the ascetic life wishes to live happily,
ahir mūṣakadurgaṁ vā seveta śayanāsanam. 13.9
he should use his dwelling as a snake uses a mouse hole.
Sukham (n. acc. sg. adj.–>adv.) happily; jīvitum (inf.) to live; icchet (3rd. sg. opt.) one should wish; cet (indec.) if; śramaṇya-artheṣu (m. loc. pl.) upon the goals of asceticism; avekṣavān (m. nom. sg.) one who reflects; ahiḥ (m. nom. sg.) a snake; mūṣaka-durgam (n. acc. sg.) a mouse-hole fortress; vā (indec.) like; seveta (3rd. sg. opt.) one should use; śayana-āsanam (n. acc. sg.) a dwelling.
Sukhañ-ce jīvituṁ icche sāmaññasmiṁ apekkhavā,
If one who longs for the ascetic life wishes to live happily,
ahi mūsikasobbhaṁ va sevetha sayanāsanaṁ.
he should use his dwelling as a snake uses a mouse hole. The commentary explains they should not be attached, but like a snake in a mouse hole, be ready to move on when necessary.
[277 ≈ Thag 230]
[adm.]
Sukhaṁ jīvitum icchec cec chramaṇyārtheṣv avekṣavān
If one who reflects upon the goals of the ascetic life wishes to live happily
itaretareṇa saṁtuṣyed, ekadharmaṁ ca bhāvayet. 13.10
he should be content with anything whatsoever, and he should cultivate one thing.
Sukham (n. acc. sg. adj.–>adv.) happily; jīvitum (inf.) to live; icchet (3rd. sg. opt.) one should wish; cet (indec.) if; śramaṇya-artheṣu (m. loc. pl.) upon the goals of asceticism; avekṣavān (m. nom. sg.) the one who reflects; itara-itareṇa (n. inst. sg.) with anything whatsoever; saṁtuṣyet (3rd. sg. opt.) one should be content; eka-dharmam (m. acc. sg.) one thing ca (indec.) and; bhāvayet (3rd. sg. opt.) one should cultivate.
Sukhañ-ce jīvituṁ icche sāmaññasmiṁ apekkhavā,
If one who longs for the ascetic life wishes to live happily,
itarītarena tusseyya, ekadhammañ-ca bhāvaye.
be should be content with anything whatsoever, and cultivate one thing. The commentary says: Cultivate one thing means cultivate heedfulness (appamāda).
[278 ≈ Thag 228]
[adm.]
Sukhaṁ jīvitum icchec cec chramaṇyārtheṣv avekṣavān,
If one who reflects upon the goals of the ascetic life wishes to live happily,
Sāṁghikaṁ nāvamanyeta cīvaraṁ pānabhojanam. 13.11
he should not despise the robes, drinks and food belonging to the Saṁgha.
Sukham (n. acc. sg. adj.–>adv.) happily; jīvitum (inf.) to live; icchet (3rd. sg. opt.) one should wish; cet (indec.) if; śramaṇya-artheṣu (m. loc. pl.) upon the goals of asceticism; avekṣavān (m. nom. sg.) the one who reflects; Sāṁghikam (n. acc. sg.) what belongs to the Saṁgha; na (indec.) not; avamanyeta (3rd. sg. opt.) one should despise; cīvaram (n. acc. sg.) robes; pāna-bhojanam (n. acc. sg.) drinks and food.
Sukhañ-ce jīvituṁ icche sāmaññasmiṁ apekkhavā,
If one who longs for the ascetic life wishes to live happily,
Saṅghikaṁ nātimaññeyya, cīvaraṁ pānabhojanaṁ.
he should not despise the robes, drinks and food belonging to the Saṅgha.
[279 ≈ Dhp 366]
[stm.]
Alpajñāto ’pi ced bhavati śīleṣu susamāhitaḥ,
Even if one well-composed in virtue is little known,
vidvāṁsas taṁ praśaṁsanti śuddhājīvam atandritam. 13.12
the wise praise that one of pure livelihood who is diligent.
Alpa-jñātaḥ (m. nom. sg.) little-known; api (indec.) even; cet (indec.) if; bhavati (3rd. sg. pres.) is; śīleṣu (n. loc. pl.) in virtue; su-samāhitaḥ (m. nom. sg.) well-composed; vidvāṁsaḥ (m. nom. pl.) the wise ones; tam (m. acc. sg. dem. pron.) him; praśaṁsanti (3rd. pl. pres.) they praise; śuddha-ājīvam (m. acc. sg.) one of pure livelihood; a-tandritam (m. acc. sg.) diligent.
Appalābho pi ce bhikkhu, salābhaṁ nātimaññati,
Even if a monastic gains little, he should not despise his gains,
taṁ ve Devā pasaṁsanti suddhājīviṁ atanditaṁ.
for even the Devas praise that one of pure livelihood who is diligent.
[280.i cf. Thag 129]
[stm.]
Traividyaḥ syāt sa ced bhikṣur, mṛtyuhantā nirāsravaḥ,
If one might be a monastic with three knowledges, a destroyer of death, without pollutants,
alpajñātam iti jñātvā, hy avajānanty ajānakāḥ. 13.13
the ignorant knowing: He is little known, despise him.
Trai-vidyaḥ (m. nom. sg.) one possessed of the three knowledges; syāt (3rd. sg. opt.) one might be; saḥ (m. nom. sg. dem. pron.) that one; cet (indec.) if; bhikṣuḥ (m. nom. sg.) a monastic; mṛtyu-hantā (m. nom. sg.) a destroyer of death; nir-āsravaḥ (m. nom. sg.) without pollutants; alpa-jñātam (m. acc. sg.) little-known; iti (indec.) thus; jñātvā (abs.) knowing; hy (separator); avajānanti (3rd. pl. pres.) they despise; a-jānakāḥ (m. nom. pl.) the ignorant ones.
Api ce hoti tevijjo, maccuhāyī anāsavo,
Even if one has three knowledges, a destroyer of death, without pollutants,
appaññāto ti naṁ bālā avajānanti ajānatā.
the ignorant fools thinking: He is little known, despise him.
[280.ii ≈ Thag 129]
[stm.]
Sa ced bhavati traividyo, mṛtyuhāyī nirāsravaḥ,
If one has three knowledges, a destroyer of death, without pollutants,
jñātvālpajñāta iti tam avajānanty ajānakāḥ. 13.13
the ignorant knowing: He is little known, despise him.
Saḥ (m. nom. sg. dem. pron.) that one; cet (indec.) if; bhavati (3rd. sg. pres.) has; trai-vidyaḥ (m. nom. sg.) one possessed of the three knowledges; mṛtyu-hāyī (m. nom. sg.) a destroyer of death; nir-āsravaḥ (m. nom. sg.) without pollutants; jñātvā (abs.) knowing; alpa-jñātaḥ (m. nom. sg.) little-known; iti (indec.) thus; tam (m. acc. sg. dem. pron.) him; avajānanti (3rd. pl. pres.) they despise; a-jānakāḥ (m. nom. pl.) the ignorant ones.
Api ce hoti tevijjo, maccuhāyī anāsavo,
Even if one has three knowledges, a destroyer of death, without pollutants,
appaññāto ti naṁ bālā avajānanti ajānatā.
the ignorant fools (thinking): He is little known, despise him.
[281 ≈ Thag 130]
[stm.]
Sa cet tv ihānnapānasya lābhī bhavati pudgalaḥ,
But if there is a person here who receives food and drinks,
pāpadharmāpi ced bhavati, sa teṣāṁ bhavati pūjitaḥ. 13.14
even if he is of a wicked nature, he is worshipped by them.
Saḥ (m. nom. sg. dem. pron.) that one; cet (indec.) if; tu (indec.) but; iha (indec.) here; anna-pānasya (n. gen. sg.) of food and drink; lābhī (m. nom. sg.) a receiver; bhavati (3rd. sg. pres.) there is; pudgalaḥ (m. nom. sg.) a person; pāpa-dharma (m. nom. sg.) of wicked nature; api (indec.) even; cet (indec.) if; bhavati (3rd. sg. pres.) is; saḥ (m. nom. sg. dem. pron.) he; teṣām (m. gen. pl. dem. pron.) by them; This is known as the instrumental-like genitive, see: Wijesekera, §154. bhavati (3rd. sg. pres.) is; pūjitaḥ (m. nom. sg. pp.) worshipped.
Yo ca kho annapānassa lābhī hotidha puggalo,
But the person who receives food and drinks,
pāpadhammo pi ce hoti, so nesaṁ hoti sakkato.
even if he is of a wicked nature, he is honoured by them.
[282-283 ≈ Thag 153-154]
[adm.]
Bahūn amitrāṁ labhate, saṁghāṭīpravṛtaḥ sadā,
He obtains many enemies, the one always wrapped in an outer robe,
lābhī yo hy annapānasya, vastraśayyāsanasya ca, 13.15
who receives food and drinks, clothes, bedding and lodging,
Bahūn (m. acc. pl.) many; a-mitrān (m. acc. pl.) enemies; labhate (3rd. sg. pres.) obtains; saṁghāṭī-pravṛtaḥ (m. nom. sg.) wrapped in an outer robe; sadā (indec.) always; lābhī (m. nom. sg.) a receiver; yaḥ (m. nom. sg. rel. pron.) one who; hi (indec.) for; anna-pānasya (n. gen. sg.) of food and drink; vastra-śayyā-āsanasya (n. gen. sg.) of clothes, bedding and lodging; ca (indec.) and.
etad ādīnavaṁ jñātvā, satkāreṣu mahābhayam,
knowing this disadvantage, the great danger in honours,
alpajñāto hy anutsukaḥ smṛto bhikṣuḥ parivrajet. 13.16
little known, without longing, the monastic should wander forth mindfully.
Etat (n. nom. sg. dem. pron.) this ; ādīnavam (m. acc. sg.) danger; jñātvā (abs.) having known; satkāreṣu (m. loc. pl.) in honours; mahā-bhayam (n. acc. sg.) great danger; alpa-jñātaḥ (m. nom. sg.) little known; hy (separator); an-utsukaḥ (m. nom. sg.) without longing; smṛtaḥ (m. nom. sg. adj.–>adv.) mindfully; bhikṣuḥ (m. nom. sg.) a monastic; parivrajet (3rd. sg. opt.) should wander forth.
Bahū sapatte labhati muṇḍo saṅghāṭipāruto,
He obtains many enemies, the one with a shaven-head, wrapped in an outer robe,
lābhī annassa pānassa, vatthassa sayanassa ca,
who receives food and drinks, clothes and bedding,
etam-ādīnavaṁ ñatvā, sakkāresu mahabbhayaṁ,
knowing this disadvantage, the great danger in honours,
appalābho anavassuto, sato bhikkhu paribbaje.
receiving little, uncorrupt, the monastic should wander forth mindfully.
[284 ≈ Thag 123]
[adm.]
Nāyam anaśanena jīvate, nāhāro hṛdayasya śāntaye,
One does not live by fasting, nor is food for peace of mind,
āhāraḥ sthitaye tu vidyate, taj jñātvā hi careta eṣaṇām. 13.17
but food exists for sustaining, knowing this, one should wander, seeking (alms).
Na (indec.) not; ayam (m. nom. sg. dem. pron.) this one; an-aśanena (n. inst. sg.) by fasting; jīvate (3rd. sg. pres.) is lived; na (indec.) not; āhāraḥ (m. nom. sg.) food; hṛdayasya (n. gen. sg.) of mind; śāntaye (f. dat. sg.) for peace; āhāraḥ (m. nom. sg.) food; sthitaye (f. dat. sg. pp.) for the sustaining; tu (indec.) but; vidyate (3rd. sg. pres. pass.) exists; tat (n. acc. sg. dem. pron.) that; jñātvā (abs.) having known; hi (metrical filler); careta (3rd. sg. opt.) one should wander; eṣaṇām (f. acc. sg.) seeking.
Na-y-idaṁ anayena jīvitaṁ, nāhāro hadayassa santiko,
This life is not (sustained) through fasting, nor is food for peace of mind,
āhāraṭṭhitiko samussayo, iti disvāna carāmi esanaṁ.
the body is sustained by food, seeing this, I wander, seeking (alms).
[285 ≈ Thag 124]
[stm.]
Paṅkas tv iti yo hi vindate, nityaṁ vandanamānanā kule
But the one for whom (honour) is a swamp finds that constantly being respected and revered in a family
sūkṣmaḥ śalyo duruddharaḥ, satkāraḥ kāpuruṣeṇa dustyajaḥ. 13.18
is a subtle dart, hard to extract, honour is hard for a bad person to let go of.
Paṅkaḥ (m. nom. sg.) a swamp; tu (indec.) but; iti (indec.) thus; yaḥ (m. nom. sg. rel. pron.) for whom; hi (indec.) for; vindate (3rd. sg. pres.) finds; nityam (indec.) constantly; vandana-mānanā (f. nom. du.) respected and revered; kule (n. loc. sg.) in a family; sūkṣmaḥ (m. nom. sg.) subtle; śalyaḥ (m. nom. sg.) a dart; dur-uddharaḥ (m. nom. sg.) hard to extract; satkāraḥ (m. nom. sg.) honour; kā-puruṣeṇa (m. inst. sg.) by a bad person; dus-tyajaḥ (m. nom. sg.) hard to let go of.
Paṅko ti hi naṁ pavedayuṁ, yāyaṁ vandanapūjanā kulesu,
They declared it is a swamp, this respect and worship amongst the families,
sukhumaṁ sallaṁ durubbahaṁ, sakkāro kāpurisena dujjaho.
a subtle dart, hard to extract, honour is hard for the bad person to abandon.
Satkāravargaḥ, 13.
The Chapter about Honour, the Thirteenth