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Sutta Nipāta 1.3

Khaggavisāṇasutta

The Rhinoceros Horn · Translation: Bhikkhu Sujato, SuttaCentral

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toward all“Sabbesu creaturesbhūtesu down·putnidhāya violencedaṇḍaṁ,
not·apart·harmAviheṭhayaṁ even a single oneaññatarampi of themtesaṁ;
notNa child·wishputtamiccheyya let alonekuto a companionsahāyaṁ,
aloneEko should livecare like a horned rhinokhaggavisāṇakappo”.

When you’ve laid down violence toward all creatures, not harming even a single one, don’t wish for a child, let alone a companion: live alone like a horned rhino.

for one born of association“Saṁsaggajātassa there arebhavanti affectionssnehā,
affection·followingSnehanvayaṁ pain·thisdukkhamidaṁ arisespahoti;
the dangerĀdīnavaṁ affection·bornsnehajaṁ seeingpekkhamāno,
aloneEko may one livecare horn·horn·likekhaggavisāṇakappo”.

Those with close relationships have affection, following which this pain arises. Seeing this danger born of affection, live alone like a horned rhino.

for friends“Mitte for loved onessuhajje having compassionanukampamāno,
one misses outHāpeti the goalatthaṁ against·bound·mindpaṭibaddhacitto;
thisEtaṁ perilbhayaṁ in intimacysanthave seeingpekkhamāno,
aloneEko one should livecare like a horned rhinokhaggavisāṇakappo”.

When feelings for friends and loved ones are tied up in selfish love, you miss out on the goal. Seeing this peril in intimacy, live alone like a horned rhino.

bamboo“Vaṁso spreading·likevisālova asyathā entangledvisatto,
in childrenPuttesu in partnerdāresu andca whoyā concernapekkhā;
bamboo-shoot·likeVaṁsakkaḷīrova unobstructedasajjamāno,
aloneEko should livecare like a horned rhinokhaggavisāṇakappo”.

As a spreading bamboo gets entangled, so does concern for partners and children. Like a bamboo shoot unobstructed, live alone like a horned rhino.

a wild deer“Migo in the forestaraññamhi asyathā looseabaddho,
wherever it wantsYenicchakaṁ goesgacchati for grazinggocarāya;
a smart personViññū personnaro freedomseritaṁ looking forpekkhamāno,
aloneEko would livecare like a horned rhinokhaggavisāṇakappo”.

As a wild deer loose in the forest grazes wherever it wants, a smart person looking for freedom would live alone like a horned rhino.

being called upon“Āmantanā ishoti among friendssahāyamajjhe,
in stayingVāse in placeṭhāne in goinggamane on a journeycārikāya;
not·covetedAnabhijjhitaṁ freedomseritaṁ looking forpekkhamāno,
aloneEko should livecare horn·horn·likekhaggavisāṇakappo”.

When among friends, whether staying in place or going on a journey, you’re always on call. Looking for the uncoveted freedom, live alone like a horned rhino.

fun and games“Khiḍḍā delightratī there ishoti among friendssahāyamajjhe,
for childrenPuttesu andca abundantvipulaṁ there ishoti fondnesspemaṁ;
departure from the dearPiyavippayogaṁ loathingvijigucchamāno,
aloneEko one should livecare like a horned rhinokhaggavisāṇakappo”.

Among friends you have fun and games, and for children you are full of fondness. Though loathe to depart from those you hold dear, live alone like a horned rhino.

at ease in any quarter“Cātuddiso unresistingappaṭigho andca ishoti,
contentSantussamāno with whatever comes your wayitarītarena;
adversitiesParissayānaṁ prevailing oversahitā dauntlessachambhī,
aloneEko livecare like a horned rhinokhaggavisāṇakappo”.

At ease in any quarter, unresisting, content with whatever comes your way; prevailing over adversities, dauntless, live alone like a horned rhino.

hard to please“Dussaṅgahā renunciate·evenpabbajitāpi someeke,
as areAtho layfolkgahaṭṭhā dwelling at homegharamāvasantā;
not·anxiousAppossukko other·childrenparaputtesu beinghutvā,
aloneEko should livecare like a horned rhinokhaggavisāṇakappo”.

Even some renunciates are hard to please, as are some layfolk dwelling at home. Don’t worry about others’ children, live alone like a horned rhino.

having put down“Oropayitvā the marks of the home lifegihibyañjanāni,
thoroughly·cut·leafSañchinnapatto likeyathā the Shady Orchid Treekoviḷāro;
cut·havingChetvāna a herovīro the bonds of the home lifegihibandhanāni,
aloneEko would livecare like a horned rhinokhaggavisāṇakappo”.

Having shed the marks of the home life, like the fallen leaves of the Shady Orchid Tree; having cut the bonds of the home life, a hero would live alone like a horned rhino.

if“Sace you findlabhetha an alertnipakaṁ companionsahāyaṁ,
togetherSaddhiṁ to livecaraṁ happy·livingsādhuvihāridhīraṁ;
overcomingAbhibhuyya allsabbāni adversitiesparissayāni,
you should wanderCareyya with them + self·mindtenattamano mindfulsatīmā”.

If you find an alert companion, an attentive friend to live happily together, then, overcoming all adversities, wander with them, joyful and mindful.

not“No ifce you findlabhetha alertnipakaṁ companionsahāyaṁ,
togetherSaddhiṁ livingcaraṁ an attentive friendsādhuvihāridhīraṁ;
king·likeRājāva realmraṭṭhaṁ apart·conquervijitaṁ having abandonedpahāya,
aloneEko wandercare tusker·wilds·likemātaṅgaraññeva elephantnāgo”.

If you find no alert companion, an attentive friend to live happily together, then, like a king who flees his conquered realm, wander alone like a tusker in the wilds.

clearly“Addhā forth·together·praisepasaṁsāma the blessing of a friendsahāyasampadaṁ,
betterSeṭṭhā equalsamā to be associated withsevitabbā friendssahāyā;
theseEte not·gettingaladdhā eating blamelesslyanavajjabhojī,
aloneEko one should livecare like a horned rhinokhaggavisāṇakappo”.

Clearly we praise the blessing of a friend, it’s good to be with friends your equal or better. But failing to find them, eating blamelessly, live alone like a horned rhino.

having seen“Disvā of goldsuvaṇṇassa shiningpabhassarāni,
by a smithKammāraputtena well-finishedsuniṭṭhitāni;
together·clashingSaṅghaṭṭamānāni twoduve on the armbhujasmiṁ,
aloneEko should livecare like a horned rhinokhaggavisāṇakappo”.

Though made of shining gold, well-finished by a smith, when two bracelets share the same arm they clash up against each other. Seeing this, live alone like a horned rhino.

so too“Evaṁ with a partnerdutīyena together withsahā if I hadmamassa,
flatteryVācābhilāpo cursesabhisajjanā orvā;
thisEtaṁ perilbhayaṁ in the futureāyatiṁ seeingpekkhamāno,
aloneEko livecare like a horned rhinokhaggavisāṇakappo”.

Thinking, “So too, if I had a partner, there’d be flattery or curses.” Seeing this peril in the future, live alone like a horned rhino.

sensual pleasures“Kāmā indeedhi diversecitrā sweetmadhurā delightfulmanoramā,
in disguiseVirūparūpena they disturbmathenti the mindcittaṁ;
dangerĀdīnavaṁ sensual·strandkāmaguṇesu having seendisvā,
aloneEko let one livecare like a horned rhinokhaggavisāṇakappo”.

Sensual pleasures are diverse, sweet, delightful; appearing in disguise they disturb the mind. Seeing danger in sensual stimulations, live alone like a horned rhino.

calamity“Ītī andca a boilgaṇḍo andca a disasterupaddavo andca,
an illnessRogo andca dart + andsallañca danger + andbhayañca this for memetaṁ;
thisEtaṁ perilbhayaṁ sensuality·strandkāmaguṇesu having seendisvā,
aloneEko should livecare rhino·horn·likekhaggavisāṇakappo”.

This is a calamity, a boil, a disaster, an illness, a dart, and a danger for me. Seeing this peril in sensuality, live alone like a horned rhino.

cold and“Sītañca heat + anduṇhañca hungerkhudaṁ thirstpipāsaṁ,
wind + sunVātātape fly + reptileḍaṁsasarīsape andca;
all + these·theseSabbānipetāni having put up withabhisambhavitvā,
aloneEko one should livecare like a horned rhinokhaggavisāṇakappo”.

Heat and cold, hunger and thirst, wind and sun, flies and reptiles: having put up with all these things, live alone like a horned rhino.

like an elephant“Nāgova the herdsyūthāni forsakingvivajjayitvā,
full-grownSañjātakhandho fond of lotusespadumī magnificentuḷāro;
as it pleasesYathābhirantaṁ stayingviharaṁ in the forestaraññe,
aloneEko let one livecare rhinoceros·horn·likekhaggavisāṇakappo”.

As a full-grown elephant, lotus-fond, magnificent, forsaking the herd, stays as it pleases in the forest, live alone like a horned rhino.

an impossibility“Aṭṭhānataṁ for one who delights in companysaṅgaṇikāratassa,
thatYaṁ may experiencephassaye temporarysāmayikaṁ freedomvimuttiṁ;
Sun·kinsmanĀdiccabandhussa speechvaco heedingnisamma,
aloneEko one should livecare rhino·horn·likekhaggavisāṇakappo”.

It’s impossible for one who delights in company to experience even temporary freedom. Heeding the speech of the Kinsman of the Sun, live alone like a horned rhino.

twisted views“Diṭṭhīvisūkāni left behindupātivatto,
reachedPatto the sure wayniyāmaṁ gained the pathpaṭiladdhamaggo;
arise·knowledgeUppannañāṇomhi need no one to guide meanaññaneyyo,
aloneEko livecare like a horned rhinokhaggavisāṇakappo”.

Thinking, “I have left twisted views behind, reached the sure way, and gained the path; I’ve given rise to knowledge, and need no one to guide me”, live alone like a horned rhino.

free of greed“Nillolupo without·guilenikkuho without thirstnippipāso,
without·slurNimmakkho dross and delusion smelted offniddhantakasāvamoho;
without·hopeNirāsayo all·worldsabbaloke having becomebhavitvā,
aloneEko should livecare like a horned rhinokhaggavisāṇakappo”.

No greed, no guile, no thirst, no slur, dross and delusion is smelted off; free of hoping for anything in the world, live alone like a horned rhino.

wicked“Pāpaṁ companionsahāyaṁ avoidparivajjayetha,
good·seeingAnatthadassiṁ immoralvisame habituallyniviṭṭhaṁ;
oneselfSayaṁ notna befriendseve hankeringpasutaṁ heedlesspamattaṁ,
aloneEko livecare horned·rhino·likekhaggavisāṇakappo”.

Avoid a wicked companion, blind to the good, habitually immoral. Don’t befriend the heedless and the hankering, but live alone like a horned rhino.

very learned“Bahussutaṁ teaching·bearingdhammadharaṁ spend time withbhajetha,
friendMittaṁ nobleuḷāraṁ eloquentpaṭibhānavantaṁ;
having understoodAññāya meaningsatthāni having dispelledvineyya doubtkaṅkhaṁ,
aloneEko livecare like a horned rhinokhaggavisāṇakappo”.

Spend time with the learned who have memorized the teachings, an eloquent and uplifting friend. When you understand the meanings and have dispelled doubt, live alone like a horned rhino.

fun and games“Khiḍḍaṁ pleasureratiṁ sensual·pleasure·andkāmasukhañca in the worldloke,
realizing inadequateAnalaṅkaritvā unconcernedanapekkhamāno;
from adornmentVibhūsanaṭṭhānā refrainedvirato speaker of truthsaccavādī,
aloneEko one should livecare like a horned rhinokhaggavisāṇakappo”.

When you realize that worldly fun and games and pleasure are inadequate, unconcerned with them, as one unadorned, a speaker of truth, live alone like a horned rhino.

children and“Puttañca partnerdāraṁ father·andpitarañca mother,mātaraṁ,
wealthDhanāni graindhaññāni andca relatives;bandhavāni;
down·havingHitvāna sensual pleasureskāmāni to this extent,yathodhikāni,
aloneEko livecare like a horned rhino.khaggavisāṇakappo”.

Children, partner, father, mother, wealth and grain and relatives: having given up sensual pleasures to this extent, live alone like a horned rhino.

attachment“Saṅgo thiseso little + hereparittamettha happinesssokhyaṁ,
little gratificationAppassādo suffering + heredukkhamettha morebhiyyo;
hookGaḷo thiseso thusiti having knownñatvā thoughtful personmatīmā,
aloneEko would livecare like a horned rhinokhaggavisāṇakappo”.

“This is a chain. Here there’s hardly any happiness, little gratification, and it’s full of drawbacks. It’s a hook.” Knowing this, a thoughtful person would live alone like a horned rhino.

having burst apart“Sandālayitvāna the fetterssaṁyojanāni,
like a netJālaṁva having tornbhetvā a fish that swims free in the watersalilambucārī;
like a fireAggīva what has been burneddaḍḍhaṁ not turning backanivattamāno,
aloneEko one should livecare like a horned rhinokhaggavisāṇakappo”.

Having burst apart the fetters, like a fish that tears the net and swims free, or a fire not returning to ground it has burned, live alone like a horned rhino.

eyes downcast“Okkhittacakkhu notna andca footloosepādalolo,
guard·senseGuttindriyo mind protectedrakkhitamānasāno;
not·festerAnavassuto not burning with desireapariḍayhamāno,
aloneEko one should livecare rhino·horn·likekhaggavisāṇakappo”.

Eyes downcast, not footloose, senses guarded, mind protected, not festering or burning with desire, live alone like a horned rhino.

having shed“Ohārayitvā the marks of the home lifegihibyañjanāni,
completely·fallen·leavesSañchannapatto likeyathā of the Orchid Treepārichatto;
ocher·robeKāsāyavattho having gone forthabhinikkhamitvā,
aloneEko livecare like a horned rhinokhaggavisāṇakappo”.

Having shed the marks of the home life, like the fallen leaves of the Orchid Tree, and gone forth in the ocher robe, live alone like a horned rhino.

in tastes“Rasesu greedgedhaṁ not·makeakaraṁ not wantonalolo,
not·other·providingAnaññaposī wandering for almssapadānacārī;
to familyKule to familykule not attached in mindappaṭibaddhacitto,
aloneEko should livecare rhino·hornkhaggavisāṇakappo”.

Not wanton, nor rousing greed for tastes, providing for no other, wandering indiscriminately for alms, not attached to this family or that, live alone like a horned rhino.

having given up“Pahāya five obstaclespañcāvaraṇāni of mindcetaso,
corruptionsUpakkilese having cast asidebyapanujja allsabbe;
independentAnissito having cut offchetva affection and hatesinehadosaṁ,
aloneEko livecare rhino·horn·likekhaggavisāṇakappo”.

When you’ve given up five mental obstacles, and cast aside all corruptions, and cut off affection and hate, being independent, live alone like a horned rhino.

having put behind“Vipiṭṭhikatvāna pleasuresukhaṁ and paindukhañca,
and formerPubbeva andca happiness·sadnesssomanassadomanassaṁ;
gained·equanimityLaddhānupekkhaṁ serenesamathaṁ purevisuddhaṁ,
aloneEko livecare like a horned rhinokhaggavisāṇakappo”.

When you’ve put pleasure and pain behind you, and former happiness and sadness, and gained equanimity serene and pure, live alone like a horned rhino.

with energy aroused“Āraddhaviriyo for attaining the ultimate goalparamatthapattiyā,
not-sluggish·mindAlīnacitto not lazy in conductakusītavutti;
firm·exertionDaḷhanikkamo endowed with strength and powerthāmabalūpapanno,
aloneEko one should livecare like a horned rhinokhaggavisāṇakappo”.

With energy roused to reach the ultimate goal, not sluggish in mind or lazy, vigorous, strong and powerful, live alone like a horned rhino.

retreat“Paṭisallānaṁ not neglecting absorptionjhānamariñcamāno,
in teachingsDhammesu alwaysniccaṁ living in line with the teachinganudhammacārī;
the dangerĀdīnavaṁ com-·comprehendingsammasitā in rebirthsbhavesu,
aloneEko livecare like a horned rhinokhaggavisāṇakappo”.

Not neglecting retreat and absorption, always living in line with the teaching, comprehending the danger in rebirths, live alone like a horned rhino.

ending of craving“Taṇhakkhayaṁ aiming, diligentpatthayamappamatto,
cleverAneḷamūgo learnedsutavā mindfulsatīmā;
appraise·teachingSaṅkhātadhammo assuredniyato resolutepadhānavā,
aloneEko should livecare horn·horn·likekhaggavisāṇakappo”.

One whose aim is the ending of craving— diligent, clever, learned, mindful, resolute— who has appraised the teaching and is assured, destined for awakening, should live alone like a horned rhino.

like a lion“Sīhova by soundssaddesu not startledasantasanto,
wind + likeVātova in a netjālamhi not caughtasajjamāno;
lotus + likePadumaṁva by watertoyena not stickingalippamāno,
aloneEko should livecare like a horned rhinokhaggavisāṇakappo”.

Like a lion not startled by sounds, like wind not caught in a net, like water not sticking to a lotus, live alone like a horned rhino.

lion“Sīho likeyathā fang·strongdāṭhabalī overcomingpasayha,
kingRājā of beastsmigānaṁ having conqueredabhibhuyya wanderingcārī;
should frequentSevetha remotepantāni lodgingssenāsanāni,
aloneEko should livecare like a horned rhinokhaggavisāṇakappo”.

Like the fierce-fanged lion, king of beasts, who wanders as conqueror and victor, you should frequent remote lodgings, and live alone like a horned rhino.

loving-kindness“Mettaṁ equanimityupekkhaṁ compassionkaruṇaṁ apart·releasevimuttiṁ,
towards·practiseĀsevamāno gladness·andmuditañca in timekāle;
by allSabbena by the worldlokena not·opposeavirujjhamāno,
aloneEko one should livecare rhinoceros·horn·likekhaggavisāṇakappo”.

In time, cultivate freedom through love, compassion, rejoicing, and equanimity. Not upset by anything in the world, live alone like a horned rhino.

and greed“Rāgañca hate·accusative singular·anddosañca away·give up·absolutivepahāya delusion,mohaṁ,
having burst apartSandālayitvāna the fetters;saṁyojanāni;
not·afraid·accusative singularAsantasaṁ at the end of life,jīvitasaṅkhayamhi,
aloneEko live·optative 3rd singularcare horn·horn·like·closing quotation punctuationkhaggavisāṇakappo”.

Having given up greed, hate, and delusion, having burst apart the fetters, unafraid at the end of life, live alone like a horned rhino.

they befriend“Bhajanti and servesevanti andca for their own sakekāraṇatthā,
without·motiveNikkāraṇā hard to finddullabhā these daysajja friendsmittā;
cleverly profit themselvesAttaṭṭhapaññā impureasucī folkmanussā,
aloneEko should livecare like a horned rhinokhaggavisāṇakappo”.
rhino·horn·discourseKhaggavisāṇasuttaṁ the thirdtatiyaṁ.

They befriend you and serve you for their own sake; these days it’s hard to find friends lacking ulterior motive. Impure folk cleverly profit themselves— live alone like a horned rhino.

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