197
Susukhaṁ vata jīvāma,
verinesu averino;
Verinesu manussesu,
viharāma averino.
Truly, we live happily,
|free from hatred::free from animosity, friendly [averī]| among the hateful;
among those who are hostile,
we dwell free from hostility.
198
Susukhaṁ vata jīvāma,
āturesu anāturā;
Āturesu manussesu,
viharāma anāturā.
Truly, we live happily,
|untroubled::unafflicted, free from suffering [anātura]| among the troubled;
among those who are afflicted,
we dwell free from affliction.
199
Susukhaṁ vata jīvāma,
ussukesu anussukā;
Ussukesu manussesu,
viharāma anussukā.
Truly, we live happily,
unworried among the |restless::zealously desiring, ambitious, anxiously striving for [ussuka]|;
among those who are anxious,
we dwell |without anxious striving::not zealously desiring, unagitated [anussuka]|.
200
Susukhaṁ vata jīvāma,
yesaṁ no natthi kiñcanaṁ;
Pītibhakkhā bhavissāma,
devā ābhassarā yathā.
Truly, we live happily,
we who possess no impediments; [1]
we shall be nourished by |joy::heartfelt or intense joy, feeling of love, rapture lit. lovely feeling [pīti]|,
like the |radiant gods::effulgent deities; a class of Brahma gods [ābhassarā + devā]|.
201
Jayaṁ veraṁ pasavati,
dukkhaṁ seti parājito;
Upasanto sukhaṁ seti,
hitvā jayaparājayaṁ.
Victory breeds hatred,
for the defeated sleep with difficulty;
|the composed::calmed, tranquil [upasanta]| sleep with ease,
having abandoned |victory and defeat::conquest and loss [jayaparājaya]|.
202
Natthi rāgasamo aggi,
Natthi dosasamo kali;
Natthi khandhasamā dukkhā,
Natthi santiparaṁ sukhaṁ.
There is no fire like |passion::intense desire, strong emotion, infatuation, obsession, lust [rāga]|,
no |distress::calamity, misfortune [kali]| like hatred;
no suffering like the |aggregates::pile of matter and mind that are held onto as a self [khandha]|,
and no happiness greater than |peace::calm, tranquility [santi]|.
203
Jighacchāparamā rogā,
saṅkhāraparamā dukhā;
Etaṁ ñatvā yathābhūtaṁ,
nibbānaṁ paramaṁ sukhaṁ.
Hunger is the worst disease,
[attachment to] |conditioned phenomena::fabrications, concoctions, intentional constructs, karmic activity [saṅkhārā]| the worst suffering;
for one who knows this as it actually is,
|Nibbāna::complete cooling, letting go of everything, deathless, freedom from calamity, the non-disintegrating; lit. blowing away [nibbāna]| is the highest bliss.
204
Ārogyaparamā lābhā,
Santuṭṭhiparamaṁ dhanaṁ;
Vissāsaparamā ñāti,
Nibbānaṁ paramaṁ sukhaṁ.
|Health::freedom from disease [ārogya]| is the highest gain,
|contentment::satisfaction [santuṭṭhi]| is the greatest wealth;
|trust::confidence [vissāsa]| is the ultimate kin,
Nibbāna is the highest bliss.
205
Pavivekarasaṁ pitvā,
rasaṁ upasamassa ca;
Niddaro hoti nippāpo,
dhammapītirasaṁ pivaṁ.
Having sipped the flavor of |seclusion::solitude [paviveka]|,
and savored the taste of peace;
one becomes fearless and blameless,
while drinking the joy of the Dhamma.
206
Sāhu dassanamariyānaṁ,
sannivāso sadā sukho;
Adassanena bālānaṁ,
niccameva sukhī siyā.
Good is the sight of the Noble Ones,
dwelling with them is ever blissful;
not encountering |immature persons::ones lacking in discernment or good sense, child-like in understanding [bāla]|,
one would always be at ease.
207
Bālasaṅgatacārī hi,
dīghamaddhāna socati;
Dukkho bālehi saṁvāso,
amitteneva sabbadā;
Dhīro ca sukhasaṁvāso,
ñātīnaṁva samāgamo.
One who associates with immature persons,
|sorrows::grieves [socati]| for a long time;
|living together with::co-habitation with, close association with [saṃvāsa]| the immature is unpleasant,
like being with an enemy;
but living with the |steadfast::firm, stable, wise [dhīra]| is joyful,
like reunion with one’s kin.
208
Tasmā hi—
Dhīrañca paññañca bahussutañca,
Dhorayhasīlaṁ vatavantamariyaṁ;
Taṁ tādisaṁ sappurisaṁ sumedhaṁ,
Bhajetha nakkhattapathaṁva candimā.
Therefore—
Associate with the steadfast, the wise, the highly learned,
the |patient::enduring [dhorayhasīla]|, virtuous, and noble.
Follow such a good and wise person,
just as the moon follows the |path of the stars::lit. path of the zodiac [nakkhattapatha]|.
Impediments: Kiñcanaṁ. Literally "anything." In the Dhamma context, it refers to the mental baggage or attachments that stick to the mind, specifically the three unwholesome roots of greed, hatred, and delusion.