Pandita Vagga (The Wise)
Verse 80
Udakam hi nayanti nettikā
usukārā namayanti tejanam
Dārum namayanti tacchakā
attānam damayanti panditā
usukārā namayanti tejanam
Dārum namayanti tacchakā
attānam damayanti panditā
Irrigators lead the waters;
fletchers bend the arrows;
carpenters bend the wood;
the wise control themselves.
fletchers bend the arrows;
carpenters bend the wood;
the wise control themselves.
| Meaning | |
| udakam | water |
| hi | indeed, surely |
| nayanti | lead, guide (the flow) |
| nettikā | conduits used for irrigation; also, irrigators |
| usukārā | fletchers, arrow-makers |
| namayanti | bend |
| tejanam | arrows |
| dārum | wood |
| tacchakā | carpenters |
| attānam | themselves |
| damayanti | discipline, control, restraint |
| panditā | wise men |
| A young novice was out on alms-round and saw irrigators, arrow-makers and carpenters at work. He then aspired to also ‘do his work’ (as a monk) and soon attained Nibbāna. | |