From:
Patna Dharmapada Patna Dhammapada
20. Māgga 20. The Chapter about the Path
māggānaṣṭaṁgiko śreṣṭho saccānāṁ caturo padā । The eightfold is the best of paths, four principles the best of truths,
virāgo śreṣṭho dhammāṇāṁ dupadānāṁ ca cakkhumā ।। dispassion the best of states, the Visionary the best of men.
ākkhāto vo mayā māggo aṁñāye śallasaṁsano । The path was declared by me, the removal of the dart by knowledge,
tubbhehi kiccam ātappaṁ akkhātāro tathāgatā । your duty is to have ardour declare the Realised Ones,
paṭipannā pramokkhanti jhāyino mārabaṁdhanā ।। entering this path meditators will be released from the bonds of Māra.
eseva māggo nāstaṁ ’ño daṁśanassa viśuddhiye । This is the path, there is no other, for insight and for purity,
taṁ māggaṁ paṭipajjahvo mārasse ’sā pramohanī । you should enter upon this path, this is the confounding of Māra,
etāhi tubbhe paṭipannā dukkhassa antaṁ kariṣyatha ।। having entered upon this path you will make an end to suffering.
vanaṁ chindatha mā rukkhe vanāto jāyate bhayaṁ । Cut down the forest of defilements not just the trees, from the forest arises a danger,
chettā vanañ ca vanadhañ ca nibbanena gamiśśatha ।। having cut down the forest and thicket, you will go further without forests.
yāvatā vanadho na cchijjati aṇumātto pi narassa ñātisu । For as long as an atom of desire of a man for his kin is not cut down,
paṭibaddhamano hi tattha so vaccho cchīravako va mātari ।। the mind is in bondage there, like a calf in bondage to mother’s milk.
ucchinna sineham āttano kumudaṁ śāradikaṁ va pāṇinā । Cut off any affection for one’s self, like an autumn lotus plucked with the hand,
śāntimāggam eva byūhaya nibbāṇaṁ sugatena deśitaṁ ।। develop fully the path to peace and Nibbāna taught by the Fortunate One.
idaṁ vaśśā kariṣyāmi idaṁ hemaṁna gṛhmasu । Here I will make the rains retreat, here during winter and summer,
iti bālo viciṁteti antarāyaṁ na bujjhati ।। in just such a way a fool thinks, not understanding the danger.
taṁ puttapaśusaṁmattaṁ vyāsattamanasaṁ naraṁ । That person whose mind is attached and besotted by cattle and children,
suttaṁ ggrāmaṁ mahogho vā maccu-r-ādāya gacchati ।। is snatched away by death just as a sleeping village by a great flood.
na santi puttā ttāṇāya na pitā no pi bhātaro । Children are not a refuge, nor fathers, not even brothers,
antakenā ’dhibhūtassa nāsti ñātīsu ttāṇatā ।। for one afflicted by the End-Maker there is no refuge in relatives.
krandatām eva ñātīnaṁ vilapatāṁ cevam ekato । Relatives cry and wail together in this way
janā antarahīyaṁti asakāmā jahaṁti naṁ ।। people still depart, against their desires they give him up.
etaṁ vidiya medhāvī praṁñavā vītamaccharī । Understanding this the sage, wise, free of selfishness,
taṁ saggagamanaṁ māggaṁ niccam eva viśodhaye । should constantly purify the path that is leading to heaven.
tassā hi paṇḍito poṣo saṁpaśśaṁ attham āttano । Therefore a wise man looking for his own welfare
taṁ saggaganaṁ māggaṁ niccam eva viśodhaye ।। should constantly purify the path that is leading to heaven.
śraddho śīlena saṁpanno praṁñavā susamāhito । Endowed with faith and virtue, wise, well-composed,
niccaṁ māggaṁ viśodheti sacchayanaṁ sāṁparāyikaṁ ।। one constantly purifies the path, which brings safety in the next world.
śraddho śīlena saṁpanno praṁñavā susamāhito । Endowed with faith and virtue, wise, composed,
ramate māggam āsevaṁ ajjhattopasame rato ।। delights in practising the path, delights in internal peace.
śraddho śīlena saṁpaṁno praṁñāvāgarato sadā । Endowed with faith and virtue, always delighting in being wise,
saṁyojanam aṇutthūlaṁ daham aggī va gacchati । one advances like burning fire against the fetter, small or large,
mānamakkhe va pāpake ।। whether it is wicked conceit or hypocrisy.
aniccā sabbasaṁkhārā yato praṁñāya paśśati । All conditions are impermanent, when one sees this with wisdom,
atha nivvaṇḍate dukkhā esa māggo viśuddhiye ।। then one grows tired of suffering—this is the path to purity.
sabbadhaṁmā anāttā ti yato praṁñāya paśśati । All components of mind and body are without self, when one sees this with wisdom,
atha nivvaṇḍate dukkhā esa māggo viśuddhiye ।। then one grows tired of suffering—this is the path to purity.
yogā hi bhūrī saṁbhavati ayogā bhūrisaṁkhayo । From effort originates wisdom, without effort wisdom is destroyed,
etaṁ jethāpathaṁ ñāttā bhavāya vibhavāya ca । having understood these two paths of development and decline,
tathā śiccheya medhāvī yathā bhūrī pravaddhati ।। the sage should train so that his wisdom increases.
Māggavarggaḥ The Chapter about the Path