3. The Chapter on Mind

33.

The mind is agitated and fickle, difficult to guard and difficult to restrain;

The wise one makes it straight, as a fletcher does an arrow.

34.

Like a fish thrown on dry ground, pulled out from its watery abode;

This mind trembles, to abandon the realm of Māra.

35.

Of the mind difficult to control, quick, alighting wherever it wishes;

The taming of the mind is good, a tamed mind brings happiness.

36.

Very difficult to see, very subtle, falling wherever it wishes;

The wise one should guard the mind, a guarded mind brings happiness.

37.

Far-wandering, travelling alone, bodiless, dwelling in the cave;

Those who will restrain the mind, will be freed from Māra's bondage.

38.

For one of unsettled mind, not understanding the Good Teaching,

For one of wavering confidence, wisdom is not fulfilled.

39.

For one whose mind is not filled with desire, whose heart is not struck;

For one who has abandoned merit and evil, there is no fear for the vigilant one.

40.

Having understood this body to be like a pot, having established this mind to be like a citadel;

One should fight Māra with the weapon of wisdom, and should protect what is conquered, being without attachment.

41.

Before long, indeed, this body will lie upon the earth;

Discarded, devoid of consciousness, like a useless log.

42.

Whatever an enemy might do to an enemy, or else a foe to a foe;

A wrongly directed mind can do worse to him than that.

43.

Not that could mother or father do, nor even other relatives;

A rightly directed mind can do better for him than that.

The Chapter on the Mind is concluded as third.

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The Chapter on Mind

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