The Elephant

320. Silently shall I endure abuse as the elephant in battle endures the arrow sent from the bow: for the world is ill-natured.

320. I will silently endure abuse, as an elephant in battle endures an arrow shot from a bow. For the world is unkind.

321. They lead a tamed elephant to battle, the king mounts a tamed elephant; the tamed is the best among men, he who silently endures abuse.

321. They lead a trained elephant into battle. The king rides a trained elephant. The best among men is the one who has mastered himself and silently endures abuse.

322. Mules are good, if tamed, and noble Sindhu horses, and elephants with large tusks; but he who tames himself is better still.

322. Tamed mules are good, as are noble Sindhu horses and elephants with large tusks. But a person who tames himself is better still.

323. For with these animals does no man reach the untrodden country (Nirvana), where a tamed man goes on a tamed animal, viz. on his own well-tamed self.

323. For no one reaches the untrodden land (Nirvana) riding these animals. A person with self-control reaches that land riding a tamed animal, namely, their own well-trained self.

324. The elephant called Dhanapalaka, his temples running with sap, and difficult to hold, does not eat a morsel when bound; the elephant longs for the elephant grove.

324. The elephant called Dhanapalaka, with fluid flowing from his temples, is hard to restrain. When tied up, he does not eat a single bite. He longs for the elephant grove.

325. If a man becomes fat and a great eater, if he is sleepy and rolls himself about, that fool, like a hog fed on wash, is born again and again.

325. If a man grows fat and eats too much, if he is sleepy and rolls around, he is like a pig fed on slops. Such a fool is born again and again.

326. This mind of mine went formerly wandering about as it liked, as it listed, as it pleased; but I shall now hold it in thoroughly, as the rider who holds the hook holds in the furious elephant.

326. My mind once wandered wherever it liked, following every whim and desire. But now I will fully restrain my mind, as a rider uses a hook to control a raging elephant.

327. Be not thoughtless, watch your thoughts! Draw yourself out of the evil way, like an elephant sunk in mud.

327. Don't be careless. Watch your thoughts! Pull yourself away from evil, like an elephant pulling itself out of the mud.

328. If a man find a prudent companion who walks with him, is wise, and lives soberly, he may walk with him, overcoming all dangers, happy, but considerate.

328. If a man finds a sensible, wise companion who lives with self-control, he may walk with him. As he walks with his companion, he may overcome all dangers, happy but thoughtful.

329. If a man find no prudent companion who walks with him, is wise, and lives soberly, let him walk alone, like a king who has left his conquered country behind,—like an elephant in the forest.

329. If a man finds no sensible companion who is wise and lives with self-control, let him walk alone. Let him walk like a king who has left behind the country he conquered, like an elephant in the forest.

330. It is better to live alone, there is no companionship with a fool; let a man walk alone, let him commit no sin, with few wishes, like an elephant in the forest.

330. It is better to live alone. There is no companionship with a fool. Let a person walk alone, do no wrong, and have few desires, like an elephant in the forest.

331. If an occasion arises, friends are pleasant; enjoyment is pleasant, whatever be the cause; a good work is pleasant in the hour of death; the giving up of all grief is pleasant.

331. Friends are a comfort when the occasion arises. Enjoyment is pleasant, whatever its cause. A good deed brings comfort at the hour of death. Letting go of all grief is pleasant.

332. Pleasant in the world is the state of a mother, pleasant the state of a father, pleasant the state of a Samana, pleasant the state of a Brahmana.

332. Being a mother in this world is pleasant. Being a father is pleasant. Being a Samana is pleasant. Being a Brahmana is pleasant.

333. Pleasant is virtue lasting to old age, pleasant is a faith firmly rooted; pleasant is attainment of intelligence, pleasant is avoiding of sins.

333. Virtue that lasts into old age is a joy. Firmly rooted faith is a joy. Gaining wisdom is a joy. Avoiding wrongdoing is a joy.