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Dhammapada 33–43

Cittavagga

3. The Mind · Translation: Bhikkhu Sujato, SuttaCentral

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Phandanaṁ capalaṁ cittaṁ,
dūrakkhaṁ dunnivārayaṁ;
Ujuṁ karoti medhāvī,
usukārova tejanaṁ.

The mind quivers and quakes, hard to guard, hard to curb. The discerning straighten it out, like a fletcher an arrow.

Vārijova thale khitto,
okamokataubbhato;
Pariphandatidaṁ cittaṁ,
māradheyyaṁ pahātave.

Like a fish pulled from the sea and cast upon the shore, this mind flounders about, trying to throw off Māra’s dominion.

Dunniggahassa lahuno,
yatthakāmanipātino;
Cittassa damatho sādhu,
cittaṁ dantaṁ sukhāvahaṁ.

Hard to hold back, flighty, alighting where it will; it’s good to tame the mind; a tamed mind leads to bliss.

Sududdasaṁ sunipuṇaṁ,
yatthakāmanipātinaṁ;
Cittaṁ rakkhetha medhāvī,
cittaṁ guttaṁ sukhāvahaṁ.

So hard to see, so subtle, alighting where it will; the discerning protect the mind, a guarded mind leads to bliss.

Dūraṅgamaṁ ekacaraṁ,
asarīraṁ guhāsayaṁ;
Ye cittaṁ saṁyamissanti,
mokkhanti mārabandhanā.

The mind travels far, wandering alone; incorporeal, it lies hidden in the heart. Those who will restrain the mind are freed from Māra’s bonds.

Anavaṭṭhitacittassa,
saddhammaṁ avijānato;
Pariplavapasādassa,
paññā na paripūrati.

Those of unsteady mind, who don’t understand the true teaching, and whose confidence wavers, do not perfect their wisdom.

Anavassutacittassa,
ananvāhatacetaso;
Puññapāpapahīnassa,
natthi jāgarato bhayaṁ.

One whose mind is not festering, whose heart is undamaged, who’s given up right and wrong, alert, has nothing to fear.

Kumbhūpamaṁ kāyamimaṁ viditvā,
Nagarūpamaṁ cittamidaṁ ṭhapetvā;
Yodhetha māraṁ paññāvudhena,
Jitañca rakkhe anivesano siyā.

Knowing this body breaks like a pot, and fortifying the mind like a citadel, attack Māra with the sword of wisdom, guard your conquest, and never settle.

Aciraṁ vatayaṁ kāyo,
pathaviṁ adhisessati;
Chuddho apetaviññāṇo,
niratthaṁva kaliṅgaraṁ.

All too soon this body will lie upon the earth, bereft of consciousness, tossed aside like a worthless log.

Diso disaṁ yaṁ taṁ kayirā,
verī vā pana verinaṁ;
Micchāpaṇihitaṁ cittaṁ,
pāpiyo naṁ tato kare.

A wrongly directed mind would do you more harm than a hater to the hated, or an enemy to their foe.

Na taṁ mātā pitā kayirā,
aññe vāpi ca ñātakā;
Sammāpaṇihitaṁ cittaṁ,
seyyaso naṁ tato kare.
Cittavaggo tatiyo.

A rightly directed mind would do you more good than your mother or father or any other relative.

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