Manujassa pamattacārino, When a man lives heedlessly, Taṇhā vaḍḍhati māluvā viya; craving grows in them like a camel’s foot creeper. So plavatī hurā huraṁ, They jump from one thing to the next, like a langur Phalamicchaṁva vanasmi vānaro. greedy for fruit in a forest grove.
Yaṁ esā sahate jammī, Whoever is beaten by this wretched craving, taṇhā loke visattikā; this attachment to the world, Sokā tassa pavaḍḍhanti, their sorrow grows, abhivaṭṭhaṁva bīraṇaṁ. like grass in the rain.
Yo cetaṁ sahate jammiṁ, But whoever prevails over this wretched craving, taṇhaṁ loke duraccayaṁ; so hard to get over in the world, Sokā tamhā papatanti, their sorrows fall from them, udabinduva pokkharā. like a drop from a lotus-leaf.
Taṁ vo vadāmi bhaddaṁ vo, I say this to you, good people, yāvantettha samāgatā; all those who have gathered here: Taṇhāya mūlaṁ khaṇatha, dig up the root of craving, usīratthova bīraṇaṁ; as you’d dig up grass in search of roots. Mā vo naḷaṁva sotova, Don’t let Māra break you again and again, māro bhañji punappunaṁ. like a stream breaking a reed.
Yathāpi mūle anupaddave daḷhe, A tree grows back even when cut down, Chinnopi rukkho punareva rūhati; so long as its roots are strong and undamaged; Evampi taṇhānusaye anūhate, suffering springs up again and again, Nibbattatī dukkhamidaṁ punappunaṁ. so long as the tendency to craving is not pulled out.
Yassa chattiṁsati sotā, A person of low views manāpasavanā bhusā; in whom the thirty-six streams Mahāvahanti duddiṭṭhiṁ, that flow to pleasure are mighty, saṅkappā rāganissitā. is swept away by lustful thoughts.
Savanti sabbadhi sotā, The streams flow everywhere; latā uppajja tiṭṭhati; a weed springs up and remains. Tañca disvā lataṁ jātaṁ, Seeing this weed that has been born, mūlaṁ paññāya chindatha. cut the root with wisdom.
Saritāni sinehitāni ca, A personage’s joys Somanassāni bhavanti jantuno; flow from senses and cravings. Te sātasitā sukhesino, Seekers of happiness, bent on pleasure, Te ve jātijarūpagā narā. continue to be reborn and grow old.
Tasiṇāya purakkhatā pajā, People governed by thirst, Parisappanti sasova bandhito; crawl about like a trapped rabbit. Saṁyojanasaṅgasattakā, Bound and fettered, for a long time Dukkhamupenti punappunaṁ cirāya. they return to pain time and again.
Tasiṇāya purakkhatā pajā, People governed by thirst, Parisappanti sasova bandhito; crawl about like a trapped rabbit. Tasmā tasiṇaṁ vinodaye, That’s why one who longs for dispassion Ākaṅkhanta virāgamattano. should dispel thirst.
Yo nibbanatho vanādhimutto, Unsnarled, they set out for the jungle, Vanamutto vanameva dhāvati; then they run right back to the jungle they left behind. Taṁ puggalametha passatha, Just look at this individual! Mutto bandhanameva dhāvati. Freed, they run to bondage.
Na taṁ daḷhaṁ bandhanamāhu dhīrā, The attentive say that shackle is not strong Yadāyasaṁ dārujapabbajañca; that’s made of iron, wood, or knots. Sārattarattā maṇikuṇḍalesu, But obsession with jeweled earrings, Puttesu dāresu ca yā apekkhā. concern for your partners and children:
Etaṁ daḷhaṁ bandhanamāhu dhīrā, this, say the attentive, is a strong shackle Ohārinaṁ sithilaṁ duppamuñcaṁ; dragging the indulgent down, hard to escape. Etampi chetvāna paribbajanti, Having cut this one too they go forth, Anapekkhino kāmasukhaṁ pahāya. unconcerned, having given up sensual pleasures.
Ye rāgarattānupatanti sotaṁ, Besotted by lust they fall into the stream, Sayaṅkataṁ makkaṭakova jālaṁ; like a spider caught in the web she wove. Etampi chetvāna vajanti dhīrā, The attentive proceed, having cut this one too, Anapekkhino sabbadukkhaṁ pahāya. unconcerned, having given up all suffering.
Muñca pure muñca pacchato, Let go of the past, let go of the future, Majjhe muñca bhavassa pāragū; let go of the present, having gone beyond rebirth. Sabbattha vimuttamānaso, With your heart freed in every respect, Na punaṁ jātijaraṁ upehisi. you’ll not come again to rebirth and old age.
Vitakkamathitassa jantuno, For a personage churned by thoughts, Tibbarāgassa subhānupassino; very lustful, focusing on beauty, Bhiyyo taṇhā pavaḍḍhati, their craving grows and grows, Esa kho daḷhaṁ karoti bandhanaṁ. tying them with a stout bond.
Vitakkūpasame ca yo rato, But one who loves to calm their thoughts, Asubhaṁ bhāvayate sadā sato; developing perception of ugliness, ever mindful, Esa kho byanti kāhiti, will surely eliminate that craving, Esa checchati mārabandhanaṁ. cutting off the bonds of Māra.
Niṭṭhaṅgato asantāsī, One who is confident, unafraid, vītataṇho anaṅgaṇo; rid of craving, free of blemish, Acchindi bhavasallāni, having struck down the arrows flying to future lives, antimoyaṁ samussayo. this bag of bones is their last.
Vītataṇho anādāno, Rid of craving, free of grasping, Niruttipadakovido; expert in the definition of terms, Akkharānaṁ sannipātaṁ, knowing the correct Jaññā pubbāparāni ca; structure and sequence of syllables, Sa ve “antimasārīro, they are said to be one who bears their final body, Mahāpañño mahāpuriso”ti vuccati. one of great wisdom, a great person.
Sabbābhibhū sabbavidūhamasmi, I am the champion, the knower of all, Sabbesu dhammesu anūpalitto; unsullied in the midst of all things. Sabbañjaho taṇhakkhaye vimutto, I’ve given up all, freed in the ending of craving. Sayaṁ abhiññāya kamuddiseyyaṁ. Since I know for myself, whose follower should I be?
Sabbadānaṁ dhammadānaṁ jināti, The gift of the teaching surmounts all other gifts; Sabbarasaṁ dhammaraso jināti; the taste of the teaching surmounts all other tastes; Sabbaratiṁ dhammarati jināti, the joy of the teaching surmounts all other joys; Taṇhakkhayo sabbadukkhaṁ jināti. the ending of craving surmounts all suffering.
Hananti bhogā dummedhaṁ, Riches ruin a simpleton, no ca pāragavesino; but not a seeker of the far shore. Bhogataṇhāya dummedho, From craving for wealth, a simpleton hanti aññeva attanaṁ. ruins themselves and others.
Tiṇadosāni khettāni, Weeds are the bane of crops, rāgadosā ayaṁ pajā; but greed is these folk’s bane. Tasmā hi vītarāgesu, That’s why a gift to one rid of greed dinnaṁ hoti mahapphalaṁ. is so very fruitful.
Tiṇadosāni khettāni, Weeds are the bane of crops, dosadosā ayaṁ pajā; but hate is these folk’s bane. Tasmā hi vītadosesu, That’s why a gift to one rid of hate dinnaṁ hoti mahapphalaṁ. is so very fruitful.
Tiṇadosāni khettāni, Weeds are the bane of crops, mohadosā ayaṁ pajā; but delusion is these folk’s bane. Tasmā hi vītamohesu, That’s why a gift to one rid of delusion dinnaṁ hoti mahapphalaṁ. is so very fruitful.
Tiṇadosāni khettāni, Weeds are the bane of crops, icchādosā ayaṁ pajā; but desire is these folk’s bane. Tasmā hi vigaticchesu, That’s why a gift to one rid of desire dinnaṁ hoti mahapphalaṁ. is so very fruitful.
Taṇhāvaggo catuvīsatimo.
