A Collection of Buddhist Wisdom Verses - Ancient Buddhist Texts

24: Mind
Jā 545 Vidhurajātakaṁ
A Follower of the Path
The Bodhisatta is captured by a yakkha who has
been convinced to tear out his heart and give it to
a nāga queen. He offers to teach the Dhamma of
Good People before he dies. The nāga agrees and
this is the exchange.
457. “Yātānuyāyī ca bhavāhi, māṇava,
Allañ-ca pāṇiṁ parivajjayassu.
Mā cassu mittesu kadāci dubbhi,
Mā ca vasaṁ asatīnaṁ nigacche.”
“Young man, please follow good customs,
And avoid burning the clean hand.
Do nothing to deceive your friends,
Do not be moved by bad women.”
458. “Kathaṁ nu yātaṁ anuyāyi hoti
Allañ-ca pāṇiṁ dahate kathaṁ so
Asatī ca kā, ko pana mittadubbho,
Akkhāhi me pucchito etam-atthaṁ.”
“How do we follow good customs
And just how is the clean hand burned
Who is a very bad woman
Who is a deceiver of friends
Answer me when questioned about this.”
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