The Miscellaneous chapter opens with the Dhammapada's whole theory of renunciation in one sentence: if by giving up a small happiness one may see a great one, let the wise abandon the small for the sake of the great (21.1). Its ethical corollary follows at once: happiness sought by inflicting suffering on others only entangles one in enmity (21.2). Neglect breeds corruption — what should be done left undone, what should not be done done — while for the mindful, established in awareness of the body, the corruptions waste away (21.3–21.4).
The chapter's most striking verses are deliberately shocking riddles: 'having killed mother and father and two kings, the brahmin goes untroubled' (21.5–21.6) — traditional glosses read the mother as craving, the father as conceit, the kings as false views: what must be slain are the roots of ego, not people. The serene refrain that follows is the antidote: the disciples of Gotama are always well awake, their mindfulness day and night on the Buddha, the Dhamma, the Sangha, the body, on non-harming, on cultivation (21.7–21.12). The good shine from afar like the Himalaya, while the wicked are unseen as arrows shot in the night (21.15); and the chapter closes praising solitude: alone and content, delighting at the forest's edge (21.16).
Key verses
If by giving up a small happiness one can see a vast happiness, let the wise abandon the small for the sake of the vast.
The good shine forth from afar, like the Himalayan mountain. The wicked, even when present, are not seen — like arrows shot at night.
Sitting alone, sleeping alone, walking alone unwearied, alone subduing oneself — let one delight at the forest's edge.
Read Chapter 21 in full
Every verse with translation, word meanings, and commentary — free.
ઍપમાં મફત વાંચોપરંપરાઓને પૂછો
એક પ્રશ્ન। પાંચ પરંપરાઓના જવાબ।
એકાઉન્ટ વગર દર 24 કલાકે 2 પ્રશ્નો।