From:
Patna Dharmapada Patna Dhammapada
8. Puṣpa 8. The Chapter about Flowers
napuṣpagandho paṭivātam eti na candanaṁ tagaraṁ vāhlikaṁ vā । The fragrance of flowers goes not against the wind, nor does sandalwood or pinwheel or saffron,
satān tu gandho paṭivātam eti sabbā diśā sappuruṣo pravāti ।। but the fragrance of the good goes against the wind, the true person’s fragrance permeates all directions.
candanaṁ tagaraṁ cāpi uppalaṁ atha vāśśikiṁ । Sandalwood, pinwheel, then water lily and striped jasmine,
etesāṁ gandhajātānāṁ śīlagandho anuttaro ।। amongst these kinds of fragrance virtue’s fragrance is unsurpassed.
appāmātro ayaṁ gaṁdho yoyaṁ tagaracandane । Pinwheel and sandalwood fragrance are insignificant,
yo tu śīlavatāṁ gandho vāti devesu uttamo ।। but the fragrance of those who have virtue flutters supreme amongst the gods.
tesāṁ sampannaśīlānāṁ apramādavihāriṇāṁ । Māra cannot find the path of those endowed with virtue, who live heedfully,
sammadaṁñāvimuttānāṁ māro māggaṁ na viṇḍati ।। and who are freed through right and deep knowledge.
yathā pi ruciraṁ puṣpaṁ vannavantaṁ agandhakaṁ । Just like a beautiful flower, which has colour, but lacks fragrance,
evaṁ subhāṣitā vācā aphalā hoti akurvvato ।। so are well-spoken words fruitless for the one who acts not on them.
yathā pi ruciraṁ puṣpaṁ vannavantaṁ sagaṁdhakaṁ । Just like a beautiful flower, which has colour, and has fragrance,
evaṁ subhāṣitā vācā saphalā hoti kurvvato ।। so are well-spoken words fruitful for the one who does act on them.
yathā pi bhramaro puṣpā vannagandham aheḍayaṁ । Just as a bee, without hurting the flower, its colour or scent,
praḍeti rasam ādāya evaṁ ggrāme munī care ।। gathers its nectar and escapes, so should the seer roam in the village.
puṣpāṇi heva pracinantaṁ vyāsattamanasaṁ naraṁ । Death takes up and carries away the one whose mind is attached to collecting flowers,
suttaṁ ggrāmaṁ mahogho vā maccu-r-ādāya gacchati ।। like a great flood carries off a sleeping village.
puṣpāṇi heva pracinantaṁ vyāsattamanasaṁ naraṁ । The End-Maker takes control of the one whose mind is attached to collecting flowers,
asaṁpunnesu kāmesu antako kurute vaśe ।। though he is unfulfilled with sense pleasures.
yathā pi puṣparāśimhā kayirā mālāguṇe bahū । Just as from a heap of flowers one might make a lot of garlands,
evaṁ jātena māccena kātavvaṁ kuśalaṁ bahuṁ । so should many good deeds be done by one who is born a mortal.
ko imaṁ paṭhaviṁ vijehiti yamalokaṁ va imaṁ sadevakaṁ । Who will conquer this earth and the lower realm, together with the gods?
ko dhammapade sudeśite kuśalo puṣpam iva prajehiti । Who will win the well-taught verses of Dhamma as a good man wins a flower?
śekho paṭhaviṁ vijehiti yamalokaṁ va imaṁ sadevakaṁ । The trainee will conquer this earth and the lower realm, together with the gods.
so dhammapade sudeśite kuśalo puṣpam iva prajehiti ।। He will win the well-taught verses of Dhamma as a good man wins a flower.
vāśśikī-r-iva puṣpāṇi mañcakāni pramuñcati । Just as striped jasmine casts off its (…) flowers,
evaṁ rāgañ ca doṣañ ca vipramuñcatha bhikkhavo ।। so, monastics, cast off all passion and hatred.
phenopamaṁ lokam imaṁ vidittā marīcidhammaṁ abhisaṁbudhānāṁ । Knowing that this world is just like froth, it has the nature of a mirage to those who understand,
chettāna mārassa prapuṣpakāni addaṁśanaṁ maccurājassa gacche ।। cutting off Māra’s flower-tipped arrows, one should go beyond the King of Death’s sight.
yathā saṁkārakūṭamhi ujjhitamhi mahāpathe । Just as in a forsaken rubbish heap along the highway
padumaṁ ubbhidaṁ assa śucigandhaṁ manoramaṁ ।। a lotus might spring forth, with a pure fragrance, delighting the mind,
evaṁ saṁkārabhūtesu andhabhūte pṛthujjane । so amongst the forsaken, the Perfect Sambuddha’s disciple
atirocanti praṁñāya saṁmāsabuddhasāvakā ।। outshines the blind and ordinary folk through his wisdom.
Puṣpavarggaḥ The Chapter about Flowers