Muni's Play५ संप्रजन्यरक्षणं नाम पञ्चमः परिच्छेदः।
Sanskrit
बद्धश्चेच्चित्तमातङ्गः स्मृतिरज्ज्वा समन्ततः।
भयमस्तंगतं सर्वं कृत्स्नं कल्याणमागतम्॥३॥baddhaśceccittamātaṅgaḥ smṛtirajjvā samantataḥ | bhayamastaṅgataṁ sarvaṁ kṛtsnaṁ kalyāṇamāgatam ||3||
Translation
If the elephant of the mind is bound on all sides by the rope of mindfulness, all fear disappears and complete happiness comes.
Sanskrit
सर्वे बद्धा भवन्त्येते चित्तस्यैकस्य बन्धनात्।
चित्तस्यैकस्य दमनात् सर्वे दान्ता भवन्ति च॥५॥sarve baddhā bhavantiyete cittasyaikasya bandhanāt | cittasyaikasya damanāt sarve dāntā bhavanti ca ||5||
Translation
All these enemies are bound by the binding of the mind alone; by the subduing of the mind alone, they are all subdued.
Sanskrit
यस्माद्भयानि सर्वाणि दुःखान्यप्रमितानि च।
चित्तादेव भवन्तीति कथितं तत्त्ववादिना॥६॥yasmādbhayāni sarvāṇi duḥkhānyapramitāni ca | cittādeva bhavantīti kathitaṁ tattvavādinā ||6||
Translation
Since all fears and immeasurable sufferings arise from the mind alone, so it was said by the Speaker of Truth (the Buddha).
Sanskrit
फलेन सह सर्वस्वत्यागचित्ताज्जनेऽखिले।
दानपारमिता प्रोक्ता तस्मात्सा चित्तमेव तु॥१०॥phalena saha sarvasvatyāgacittājjane ‘khile | dānapāramitā proktā tasmāt sā cittameva tu ||10||
Translation
The Perfection of Generosity is said to be the mind of giving away all one’s possessions, together with the fruit, to all people; therefore, it is the mind itself.
Sanskrit
बाह्या भावा मया तद्वच्छक्या वारयितुं न हि।
स्वचित्तं वारयिष्यामि किं ममान्यैर्निवारितैः॥१४॥bāhyā bhāvā mayā tadvacchakyā vārayituṁ na hi | svacittaṁ vārayiṣyāmi kiṁ mamānyairnivāritaiḥ ||14||
Translation
Likewise, external events cannot be parried by me. I shall parry my own mind; what is the use of parrying other things?
Sanskrit
चित्तं रक्षितुकामानां मयैष क्रियतेऽञ्जलिः।
स्मृतिं च संप्रजन्यं च सर्वयत्नेन रक्षत॥२३॥cittaṁ rakṣitukāmānāṁ mayaiṣa kriyate’ñjaliḥ | smṛtiṁ ca saṁprajanyaṁ ca sarvayatnena rakṣata ||23||
Translation
To those who wish to guard their minds, I make this salutation with folded hands: Guard mindfulness and alertness with all your effort!
Sanskrit
असंप्रजन्यचित्तस्य श्रुतचिन्तितभावितम्।
सच्छिद्रकुम्भजलवन्न स्मृताववतिष्ठते॥२५॥asaṁprajanyacittasya śrutacintitabhāvitam | sacchidrakumbhajalavanna smṛtāvavatiṣṭhate ||25||
Translation
For one whose mind lacks alertness, what has been heard, thought, and meditated upon does not remain in the memory, like water in a leaking jar.
Sanskrit
बुद्धाश्च बोधिसत्त्वाश्च सर्वत्राव्याहतेक्षणाः।
सर्वमेवाग्रतस्तेषां तेषामस्मि पुरः स्थितः॥३१॥buddhāśca bodhisattvāśca sarvatrāvyāhatekṣaṇāḥ | sarvamevāgratasteṣāṃ teṣāmasmi puraḥ sthitaḥ ||31||
Translation
The Buddhas and Bodhisattvas have unimpeded vision everywhere. Everything is before them; I stand in their presence.
Sanskrit
इति ध्यात्वा तथा तिष्ठेत् त्रपादरभयान्वितः।
बुद्धानुस्मृतिरप्येवं भवेत्तस्य मुहुर्मुहुः॥३२॥iti dhyātvā tathā tiṣṭhet trapādarabhayānvitaḥ | buddhānusmṛtirapyevaṃ bhavettasya muhurmuhuḥ ||32||
Translation
Thinking thus, one should remain with shame, respect, and fear. In this way, mindfulness of the Buddha will occur again and again.
Sanskrit
संप्रजन्यं तदायाति न च यात्यागतं पुनः।
स्मृतिर्यदा मनोद्वारे रक्षार्थमवतिष्ठते॥३३॥saṁprajanyaṁ tadāyāti na ca yātyāgataṁ punaḥ | smṛtiryadā manodvāre rakṣārthamavatiṣṭhate ||33||
Translation
Alertness then comes and, once come, does not go away again, when mindfulness stands at the door of the mind for the sake of its protection.
Sanskrit
पूर्वं तावदिदं चित्तं सदोपस्थाप्यमीदृशम्।
निरिन्द्रियेणेव मया स्थातव्यं काष्ठवत्सदा॥३४॥pūrvaṁ tāvadidaṁ cittaṁ sadopasthāpyamīdṛśam | nirindriyeṇeva mayā sthātavyaṁ kāṣṭhavatsadā ||34||
Translation
First of all, one should always keep the mind in such a state. I should always remain like a piece of wood, as if devoid of sense organs.
Sanskrit
मार्गादौ भयबोधार्थं मुहुः पश्येच्चतुर्दिशम्।
दिशो विश्रम्य वीक्षेत परावृत्यैव पृष्ठतः॥३७॥mārgādau bhayabodhārthaṁ muhuḥ paśyeccaturdiśam | diśo viśramya vīkṣeta parāvṛtyaiva pṛṣṭhataḥ ||37||
Translation
On a path or the like, for the sake of awareness of danger, one should look frequently in the four directions. In the intervals, one should look in the directions after turning around and looking behind.
Sanskrit
कायेनैवमवस्थेयमित्याक्षिप्य क्रियां पुनः।
कधं कायः स्थित इति द्रष्टव्यं पुनरन्तरा॥३९॥kāyenaivamavastheyamityākṣipya kriyāṁ punaḥ | kathaṁ kāyaḥ sthita iti draṣṭavyaṁ punarantarā ||39||
Translation
Having resolved, “My body should remain in this way,” one should periodically reconfirm how the body is positioned.
Sanskrit
निरूप्यः सर्वयत्नेन चित्तमत्तद्विपस्तथा।
धर्मचिन्तामहास्तम्भे यथा बद्धो न मुच्यते॥४०॥nirūpyaḥ sarvayatnena cittamattadvipastathā | dharmacintāmahāstambhe yathā baddho na mucyate ||40||
Translation
With all effort, the trunk of the elephant of the mind should be observed, so that it remains bound to the great pillar of the thought of the Dharma and is not released.
Sanskrit
कुत्र मे वर्तत इति प्रत्यवेक्ष्यं तथा मनः।
समाधानधुरं नैव क्षणमप्युत्सृजेद्यथा॥४१॥kutra me vartata iti pratyavekṣyaṃ tathā manaḥ | samādhānadhuraṃ naiva kṣaṇamapyutsṛjedyathā ||41||
Translation
In this way, one should examine the mind to see where it is wandering, so that it never even for a moment lets go of the yoke of concentration.
Sanskrit
भयोत्सवादिसंबन्धे यद्यशक्तो यथासुखम्।
दानकाले तु शीलस्य यस्मादुक्तमुपेक्षणम्॥४२॥bhayotsavādisambandhe yadyaśakto yathāsukham | dānakāle tu śīlasya yasmāduktamupekṣaṇam ||42||
Translation
In connection with danger or festivals, if one is unable [to maintain full concentration], one should act as is comfortable. For it has been said that during times of giving, the rules of discipline may be relaxed.
Sanskrit
यद् बुद्ध्वा कर्तुमारब्धं ततोऽन्यन्न विचिन्तयेत्।
तदेव तावन्निष्पाद्यं तद्गतेनान्तरात्मना॥४३॥yad buddhvā kartumārabdhaṁ tato’nyanna vicintayet | tadeva tāvanniṣpādyaṁ tadgatenāntarātmanā ||43||
Translation
Once one has understood a task and begun it, one should not think of anything else. One should finish that very task first, with the mind focused on it.
Sanskrit
एवं हि सुकृतं सर्वमन्यथा नोभयं भवेत्।
असंप्रजन्यक्लेशोऽपि वृद्धिं चैवं गमिष्यति॥४४॥evaṁ hi sukṛtaṁ sarvamanyathā nobhayaṁ bhavet | asaṁprajanyakleśopi vṛddhiṁ caivaṁ gamiṣyati ||44||
Translation
In this way, everything is well done; otherwise, neither [the current nor the next task] will be successful. Also, the affliction of lack of alertness will increase.
Sanskrit
यदा चलितुकामः स्याद्वक्तुकामोऽपि वा भवेत्।
स्वचित्तं प्रत्यवेक्ष्यादौ कुर्याद्धैर्येण युक्तिमत्॥४७॥yadā calitukāmaḥ syādvaktukāmopi vā bhavet | svacittaṁ pratyavekṣyādau kuryāddhairyeṇa yuktimat ||47||
Translation
When one wishes to move or speaks, one should first examine one’s mind and then act with steadiness and propriety.
Sanskrit
अनुनीतं प्रतिहतं यदा पश्येत्स्वकं मनः।
न कर्तव्यं न वक्तव्यं स्थातव्यं काष्ठवत्तदा॥४८॥anunītaṁ pratihataṁ yadā paśyetsvakaṁ manaḥ | na kartavyaṁ na vaktavyaṁ sthātavyaṁ kāṣṭhavattadā ||48||
Translation
When one sees one’s mind attracted or repelled, one should neither act nor speak, but remain like a piece of wood.
Sanskrit
असहिष्ण्वलसं भीतं प्रगल्भं मुखरं तथा।
स्वपक्षाभिनिविष्टं च तस्मात्तिष्ठामि काष्ठवत्॥५३॥asahiṣṇvalasaṁ bhītaṁ pragalbhaṁ mukharaṁ tathā | svapakṣābhiniviṣṭaṁ ca tasmāttiṣṭhāmi kāṣṭhavat ||53||
Translation
When the mind is impatient, lazy, afraid, arrogant, talkative, or biased toward one’s own side, then one should remain like a piece of wood.
Sanskrit
एवं संक्लिष्टमालोक्य निष्फलारम्भि वा मनः।
निगृह्णीयाद् दृढं शूरः प्रतिपक्षेण तत्सदा॥५४॥evaṁ saṁkliṣṭamālokya niṣphalārambhi vā manaḥ | nigṛhṇīyād dṛḍhaṁ śūraḥ pratipakṣeṇa tatsadā ||54||
Translation
Seeing the mind thus afflicted or engaged in fruitless efforts, the brave one should always restrain it firmly with the appropriate antidote.
Sanskrit
सुनिश्चितं सुप्रसन्नं धीरं सादरगौरवम्।
सलज्जं सभयं शान्तं पराराधनतत्परम्॥५५॥suniścitaṁ suprasannaṁ dhīraṁ sādara gauravam | salajjaṁ sabhayaṁ śāntaṁ parārādhanatatparam ||55||
Translation
The mind should be very firm, very joyful, steady, respectful, modest, humble, calm, and intent on pleasing others.
Sanskrit
चिरात्प्राप्तं क्षणवरं स्मृत्वा स्मृत्वा मुहुर्मुहुः।
धारयामीदृशं चित्तमप्रकम्प्यं सुमेरुवत्॥५८॥cirātprāptaṃ kṣaṇavaraṃ smṛtvā smṛtvā muhurmuhuḥ | dhārayāmīdṛśaṃ cittam aprakampyaṃ sumeruvat ||58||
Translation
Periodically remembering that this excellent opportunity has been obtained after a long time, I shall maintain the mind as unshakeable as Mount Sumeru.
Sanskrit
युक्तं गृध्रशृगालादेराहारार्थं तु रक्षितुम्।
कर्मोपकरणं त्वेतन्मनुष्याणां शरीरकम्॥६६॥yuktaṁ gṛdhraśṛgālādērāhārārthaṁ tu rakṣitum | karmōpakaraṇaṁ tvetanmanuṣyāṇāṁ śarīrakam ||66||
Translation
It is fit to be guarded for the sake of providing food for vultures and jackals; yet this human body is an instrument for action.
Sanskrit
दत्वास्मै वेतनं तस्मात्स्वार्थं कुरु मनोऽधुना।
न हि वैतनिकोपात्तं सर्वं तस्मै प्रदीयते॥६९॥datvāsmai vetanaṁ tasmātsvārthaṁ kuru mano’dhunā | na hi vaitanikopāttaṁ sarvaṁ tasmai pradīyate ||69||
Translation
Therefore, having given it its wages, now make the body serve your own interest, O mind! For what is obtained by a servant is not all given to him.
Sanskrit
काये नौबुद्धिमाधाय गत्यागमननिश्रयात्॥
यथाकामंगमं कायं कुरु सत्त्वार्थसिद्धये॥७०॥kāye naubuddhimādhāya gatyāgamananiścayāt | yathākāmaṅgamaṃ kāyaṃ kuru sattvārthasiddhaye ||70||
Translation
Regarding the body as a boat, because of its going and coming, make it go as you wish for the sake of accomplishing the welfare of beings.
Sanskrit
एवं वशीकृतस्वात्मा नित्यं स्मितमुखो भवेत्।
त्यजेद् भृकुटिसंकोचं पूर्वाभाषी जगत्सुहृत्॥७१॥evaṁ vaśīkṛtasvātmā nityaṁ smitamukho bhavet | tyajed bhṛkuṭisaṁkocaṁ pūrvābhāṣī jagatsuhṛt ||71||
Translation
Thus, having controlled oneself, one should always have a smiling face. One should abandon frowning, be the first to speak, and be a friend to the world.
Sanskrit
बको बिडालश्चौरश्च निःशब्दो निभृतश्चरन्।
प्राप्नोत्यभिमतं कार्यमेवं नित्यं यतिश्चरेत्॥७३॥bako biḍālaścauraśca niḥśabdo nibhṛtaścaran | prāpnotyabhimataṁ kāryamevaṁ nityaṁ yatiścaret ||73||
Translation
A heron, a cat, or a thief, moving silently and cautiously, achieves its desired goal. In the same way, a yogi should always move.
Sanskrit
सुभाषितेषु सर्वेषु साधुकारमुदीरयेत्।
पुण्यकारिणमालोक्य स्तुतिभिः संप्रहर्षयेत्॥७५॥subhāṣiteṣu sarveṣu sādhukāramudīrayet | puṇyakāriṇamālokya stutibhiḥ saṁpraharṣayet ||75||
Translation
One should say “well said” to all good speech. Seeing someone performing a meritorious deed, one should gladden them with praise.
Sanskrit
सर्वारम्भा हि तुष्ट्यर्थाः सा वित्तैरपि दुर्लभा।
भोक्ष्ये तुष्टिमुखं तस्मात्परश्रमकृतैर्गुणैः॥७७॥sarvārambhā hi tuṣṭyarthāḥ sā vittairapi durlabhā | bhokṣye tuṣṭimukhaṁ tasmātparaśramakṛtairguṇaiḥ ||77||
Translation
All undertakings are for the sake of satisfaction, but such satisfaction is difficult to obtain even with wealth. I shall enjoy the pleasure of satisfaction, therefore, through the virtues achieved by others’ labor.
Sanskrit
विश्वस्तविन्यस्तपदं विस्पष्टार्थं मनोरमम्।
श्रुतिसौख्यं कृपामूलं मृदुमन्दस्वरं वदेत्॥७९॥viśvastavinyastapadaṁ vispaṣṭārthaṁ manoramam | śrutisaukhyaṁ kṛpāmūlaṁ mṛdumandasvaraṁ vadet ||79||
Translation
One should speak in a soft and gentle voice, with words that are trustworthy, clear in meaning, pleasant, agreeable to the ear, and rooted in compassion.
Sanskrit
ऋजु पश्येत्सदा सत्त्वांश्चक्षुषा संपिबन्निव।
एतानेव समाश्रित्य बुद्धत्वं मे भविष्यति॥८०॥ṛju paśyetsadā sattvāṁścakṣuṣā saṁpibanniva | etāneva samāśritya buddhatvaṁ me bhaviṣyati ||80||
Translation
One should always look at beings with a candid gaze, as if drinking them in with the eyes, [thinking] “Depending on these very beings, I shall attain Buddhahood.”
Sanskrit
सातत्याभिनिवेशोत्थं प्रतिपक्षोत्थमेव च।
गुणोपकारिक्षेत्रे च दुःखिते च महच्छुभम्॥८१॥sātatyābhiniveśotthaṁ pratipakṣotthameva ca | guṇopakārikṣetre ca duḥkhite ca mahacchubham ||81||
Translation
Great merit arises from [a wholesome deed] that is continuous, performed with intense application, or performed as an antidote; and also when performed toward a field of virtue and benefit (parents, teachers, etc.) or toward someone who is suffering.
Sanskrit
दक्ष उत्थानसंपन्नः स्वयंकारी सदा भवेत्।
नावकाशः प्रदातव्यः कस्यचित्सर्वकर्मसु॥८२॥dakṣa utthānasaṁpannaḥ svayaṁkārī sadā bhavet | nāvakāśaḥ pradātavyaḥ kasyacitsarvakarmasu ||82||
Translation
One should always be skillful, energetic, and act oneself. No opportunity should be given to anyone else in any of one’s tasks.
Sanskrit
सद्धर्मसेबकं कायमितरार्थे न पीडयेत्।
एवमेव हि सत्त्वानामाशामाशु प्रपूरयेत्॥८६॥saddharmasebakaṃ kāyamitarārthe na pīḍayet | evameva hi sattvānāmāśāmāśu prapūrayet ||86||
Translation
One should not harm the body, which is a servant of the True Dharma, for some lesser purpose; for only in this way can one quickly fulfill the hopes of beings.
Sanskrit
त्यजेन्न जीवितं तस्मादशुद्धे करुणाशये।
तुल्याशये तु तत्त्याज्यमित्थं न परिहीयते॥८७॥tyajenna jīvitaṁ tasmādaśuddhe karuṇāśaye | tulyāśaye tu tattyājyamitthaṁ na parihīyate ||87||
Translation
Therefore, one should not give up one’s life when the intention of compassion is impure; but when the intention is pure [and equal to the task], it should be given up. In this way, nothing is lost.
Sanskrit
पारंपर्येण साक्षाद्वा सत्त्वार्थं नान्यदाचरेत्।
सत्त्वानामेव चार्थाय सर्वं बोधाय नामयेत्॥ १०१॥pāraṁparyeṇa sākṣādvā sattvārthaṁ nānyadācaret | sattvānāmeva cārthāya sarvaṁ bodhāya nāmayet ||101||
Translation
One should perform nothing else except the welfare of beings, whether indirectly or directly. For the sake of beings alone, one should dedicate everything toward Enlightenment.
Sanskrit
एतदेव समासेन संप्रजन्यस्य लक्षणम्।
यत्कायचित्तावस्थायाः प्रत्यवेक्षा मुहुर्मुहुः॥ १०८॥etadeva samāsena saṁprajanyasya lakṣaṇam | yatkāyacittāvasthāyāḥ pratyavekṣā muhurmuhuḥ ||108||
Translation
In brief, this is the definition of alertness: the constant examination of the state of one’s body and mind.