Collected Works (Vol. II)

DHAMMAPADA 47 Moving alone, far-travelling, bodiless, hidden i th’ heart, who trains His thought and binds it by his will shall be released from Mara’s chains. Who stills not thought, nor knows true laws; in whom distraction is not dumb, Troubling his peace of mind; he shall to perfect knowledge never come. His thoughts concentred, unperplexed his mind renouncing good and ill Alike, for him there is no fear if only he be watchful still. Knowing this body to be frail, making this thought a fortalice, do thou aright Mara with wisdom’s shaft assail! Watch him when conquered. Never cease thou from the fight. Alas! ere long a useless log, this body on the earth will lie Contemned of all, and void of sense and understanding’s unity. What foe may wreak on foe, or hate work on the hated from the hater, Surely an ill directed mind on us will do a mischief greater. Father and mother, kith and kin, of these can none do service kind So great to us, as to ourselves the good direction of the mind. IV. FLOWERS. O who shall overcome this earth, the world of God’s and Yama’s ! power ! Who find the well taught Path as skill of herbist finds the proper flower? 1 Hades plus Minos; he both rules and judges the dead, according to Hindu mytho- logy. The seeker shall subdue this earth, the world of God’s and Yama’s power; The seeker find that Path as skill of t herbist finds the proper flower. Like unto foam this body whoso sees, its mirage-nature comprehends aright, Breaking dread Mara’s flower-pointed shaft he goes, Death’s monarch shall not meet his sight. Like one who strayeth gathering flowers, is he who Pleasure lusteth on ; As the flood whelms the sleeping village, so Death snaps him—he is gone. Like one who strayeth gathering flowers is he whose thoughts to Pleasure cling ; While yet unsatisfied with lusts, there con- quereth him the Iron King. As the bee gathers nectar, hurts not the flower’s colour, its sweet smell In no wise injureth, so let the Sage within his hamlet dwell. To others’ failures, others’ sins done or good deeds undone let swerve Never the thought; thine own misdeeds, omissions, —these alone observe. Like to a lovely flower of hue bright, that hath yet no odour sweet, So are his words who speaketh well, fruitless, by action incomplete. Like to a lovely flower of hue delightful and of odour sweet So are his words who speaketh well, fruitful, by action made complete. As from a heap of flowers can men make many garlands, so, once born, A man a-many noble deeds by doing may his life adorn.