Buddhism · Sutta Pitaka · Minor Collection (Khuddaka)

Thag, poem 206

Vijitasena · Vijitasenattheragāthā

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PāliPali

I’ll cage you, mind, like an elephant in a stockade. Born of the flesh, that net of the senses, I won’t urge you to do bad.

“Olaggessāmi te citta, āṇidvāreva hatthinaṁ; Na taṁ pāpe niyojessaṁ, kāmajāla sarīraja.

Caged, you won’t go anywhere, like an elephant who can’t find an open gate. Loser mind, you won’t wander again and again, bullying, in love with wickedness.

Tvaṁ olaggo na gacchasi, Dvāravivaraṁ gajova alabhanto; Na ca cittakali punappunaṁ, Pasakka pāparato carissasi.

Just as a strong trainer with a hook takes a wild, newly captured elephant and wins it over against its will, so I’ll win you over.

Yathā kuñjaraṁ adantaṁ, Navaggahamaṅkusaggaho; Balavā āvatteti akāmaṁ, Evaṁ āvattayissaṁ taṁ.

Just as a fine charioteer, skilled in the taming of fine horses, tames a thoroughbred, so I’ll tame you, firmly established in the five powers.

Yathā varahayadamakusalo, Sārathi pavaro dameti ājaññaṁ; Evaṁ damayissaṁ taṁ, Patiṭṭhito pañcasu balesu.

I’ll bind you with mindfulness; devout, I shall tame you; kept in check by harnessed energy, mind, you won’t go far from here.

Satiyā taṁ nibandhissaṁ, Payutto te damessāmi; Vīriyadhuraniggahito, Na yito dūraṁ gamissase cittā”ti. … Vijitaseno thero ….