167
Hīnaṁ dhammaṁ na seveyya,
pamādena na saṁvase;
Micchādiṭṭhiṁ na seveyya,
na siyā lokavaḍḍhano.
One should not pursue a |base::inferior, low, deficient [hīna]| |way of life::teachings, principles, practices [dhamma]|,
nor should one live with |negligence::carelessly, heedlessly [pamāda]|;
one should not embrace a |wrong view::a distorted perception, an untrue view, a false belief [micchādiṭṭhi]|,
and one should not |prolong the world::be attached to the world, foster worldliness [lokavaḍḍhana]|.
168
Uttiṭṭhe nappamajjeyya,
dhammaṁ sucaritaṁ care;
Dhammacārī sukhaṁ seti,
asmiṁ loke paramhi ca.
One should rise up and not be negligent,
one should live in accordance with the |Dhamma::teachings of the Buddha that point to the nature of reality, the ultimate truth [dhamma]|, with good conduct;
for living by the Dhamma, one sleeps with |ease::contentment, happiness, pleasant abiding [sukha]|,
both in this world and the next.
169
Dhammaṁ care sucaritaṁ,
na naṁ duccaritaṁ care;
Dhammacārī sukhaṁ seti,
asmiṁ loke paramhi ca.
One should live in accordance with the Dhamma, with good conduct,
and not live with |unwholesome conduct::misbehavior, bad conduct, misconduct [duccarita]|;
living in accordance with the Dhamma, one rests in |ease::contentment, happiness, pleasant abiding [sukha]|,
both in this world and the next.
170
Yathā pubbuḷakaṁ passe,
yathā passe marīcikaṁ;
Evaṁ lokaṁ avekkhantaṁ,
maccurājā na passati.
As one would see a bubble,
as one would see |a mirage::an illusion, a trick of the eye [marīcika]|;
one who |regards::sees, views [avekkhanta]| the world in this way,
is not seen by the King of Death.
171
Etha passathimaṁ lokaṁ,
cittaṁ rājarathūpamaṁ;
Yattha bālā visīdanti,
natthi saṅgo vijānataṁ.
Come, see this world,
adorned like a royal chariot;
here, the immature |sink down [in attachment]::become mired, become despirited [visīdati]|,
but |those who understand::for those who discern [vijānataṃ]| remain unbound.
172
Yo ca pubbe pamajjitvā,
pacchā so nappamajjati;
Somaṁ lokaṁ pabhāseti,
abbhā muttova candimā.
One who, having been negligent before,
is no longer negligent afterward;
|illuminates::brightens [pabhāseti]| the world,
like the moon freed from clouds.
173
Yassa pāpaṁ kataṁ kammaṁ,
kusalena pidhīyati;
Somaṁ lokaṁ pabhāseti,
abbhā muttova candimā.
For one whose |wrongdoing::a censurable deed (intention, speech, or act) to be avoided; includes subtle lapses as well as grave offenses, and is understood more fully through investigation and reflection [pāpakamma]|
is |covered over::supplanted; lit. is placed over [pidhīyati]| by |wholesome::healthy, beneficial, useful [kusala]| deeds;
that person illuminates the world,
like the moon freed from clouds.
174
Andhabhūto ayaṁ loko,
tanukettha vipassati;
Sakuṇo jālamuttova,
appo saggāya gacchati.
This world is |blind::ignorant of or misunderstanding the true nature of reality [andhabhūta]|,
only a few here |see clearly::understand with insight [vipassati]|;
like a bird |freed from the net::escaped from the snare [jālamutta]|,
only a few reach heaven.
175
Haṁsādiccapathe yanti,
ākāse yanti iddhiyā;
Nīyanti dhīrā lokamhā,
jetvā māraṁ savāhiniṁ.
|Swans::metaphorically representing sages [haṁsā]| travel the pathway of the sun,
those with |psychic powers::supernormal abilities, psychic potency, spiritual power [iddhi]| move through the sky;
the |steadfast::intelligent one, stable, wise [dhīra]| are emancipated from the world,
having conquered |Māra::embodiment of all forces that keeps beings trapped in the cycle of rebirth [māra]| and his army.
176
Ekaṁ dhammaṁ atītassa,
musāvādissa jantuno;
Vitiṇṇaparalokassa,
natthi pāpaṁ akāriyaṁ.
For one who has transgressed a single principle,
a person who engages in |false speech::lying, deliberately speaking falsehood [musāvāda]|,
|who has disregarded the afterlife::who has rejected, given up or neglected the next world [vitiṇṇaparaloka]|;
there is no wrong they would not do.
177
Na ve kadariyā devalokaṁ vajanti,
Bālā have nappasaṁsanti dānaṁ;
Dhīro ca dānaṁ anumodamāno,
Teneva so hoti sukhī parattha.
Truly, the stingy do not go to the heavenly realm,
for |immature persons::childish persons, lacking discernment [bālā]| do not praise giving;
the wise one rejoices in giving,
just by that he finds ease |hereafter::afterwards, later [parattha]|.
178
Pathabyā ekarajjena,
saggassa gamanena vā;
Sabbalokādhipaccena,
sotāpattiphalaṁ varaṁ.
Better than sole sovereignty over the earth,
better than going to heaven;
better than |lordship over all the worlds::rulership over the entire universe [sabbalokādhipacca]|,
is the fruit of |entering the stream::stream-entry, first stage of enlightenment [sotāpatti]|.