IV.PUPPHAVAGGA. FLOWERS

44. Who will conquer this earth (self), and this realm of Yama, and this world together with the gods? Who will investigate the well-taught Path of Virtue, even as an expert (garland-maker) will pluck flowers?

45. A disciple in training (sekha) will conquer this earth, and this realm of Yama together with the realm of the gods; a disciple in training will investigate the well-taught Path of Virtue, even as an expert (garland-maker) will pluck flowers.

46. Knowing that this body is like foam, and comprehending its mirage-nature, one should destroy the flower-shafts of sensual passions (Marã) and pass beyond the sight of the King of death.

47. The man who gathers flowers (of sensual pleasures), whose mind is distracted, death carries off as a great flood a sleeping village.

48. The man who gathers flowers (of sensual pleasures), whose mind is distracted, and who is insatiate in desires, the Destroyer brings under his sway.

49. As a bee without harming the flower, its colour or scent, flies away, collecting only the honey, even so should the sage wander in the village.

50. One should not pry into the faults of others, things left done and undone by others, but one's own deeds done and undone.

51. As a flower that is lovely and beautiful, but is scentless, even so fruitless is the well-spoken word of one who does not practise it.

52. As a flower that is lovely, beautiful, and scent-laden, even so fruitful is the well-spoken word of one who practises it.

53. As from a heap of flowers many a garland is made, even so many good deeds should be done by one born a mortal.

54. The perfume of flowers blows not against the wind, nor does the fragrance of sandal-wood, tagara and jasmine; but the fragrance of the virtuous blows against the wind; the virtuous man pervades every direction.

55. Sandal-wood, tagara, lotus, jasmine, above all these kinds of fragrance, the perfume of virtue is by far the best.

56. Of little account is the fragrance of tagara or sandal; the fragrance of the virtuous that blows even amongst the gods is supreme.

57. Marã finds not the path of those who are virtuous, careful in living, and freed by right knowledge.

58, 59. As upon a heap of rubbish thrown on the highway, a sweet-smelling, lovely lotus there may grow, even so amongst the rubbish of beings, a disciple of the Fully Enlightened One outshines the blind worldlings with wisdom.