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100
A single word of truth,
which calms the mind,
is better to hear than a thousand
irrelevant words.
101
A single verse of truth,
which calms the mind,
is better to hear than a thousand
irrelevant verses.
102
Reciting a single verse of truth
which calms the mind
is better than reciting
a hundred meaningless verses.
103
One might defeat alone in battle
a thousand thousand men,
but one who gains self-mastery
is by far the greater hero.
104 -1 05
Self-mastery is the supreme victory –
much more to be valued
than winning control over others.
It is a victory
that no other being whatsoever
can distort or take away.
106
To honour,
even for a single moment,
one who has attained self-mastery,
is of greater merit
than making countless offerings
to those who are unworthy.
107
To honour,
even for a single moment,
one who has attained self-mastery,
is of greater benefit
than habitually performing ceremonies
based on a wrong understanding.
108
Even if one should spend
an entire year
making gestures of offering
for the sake of self-gain,
all this is not worth one quarter the value
of offering veneration to a noble being.
109
For one who always honours and respects
those of greater years,
there are four blessings:
long life, beauty, happiness and strength.
110
A single day lived
with conscious intention and virtue
is of greater value than a hundred years
lived devoid of discipline
and right restraint.
111
A single day lived
with conscious intention and wisdom
is of greater value than a hundred years
lived devoid of discipline
and manifest wisdom.
112
A single day lived
with conscious intention
and profound effort
is of greater value than a hundred years
lived in lazy passivity.
113
A single day lived in awareness
of the transient nature of life
is of greater value than a hundred years
lived unaware of birth and death.
114
A single day lived awake to the undying state
is of greater value than a hundred years
lived without recognising deathlessness.
115
A single day lived awake to profound truth
is of greater value than a hundred years
lived unawakened.
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© 2006 Aruna Publications |