PSALMS OF THE BRETHREN
Canto V.
Psalms of Five Verses
CCIX
Kosiya
Translated from the Pali by Mrs. C.A.F. Rhys Davids.
Public Domain
[Pali]
Reborn in this Buddha-age in a Magadhan brahmin's family, he was called by his family name: Kosiya. Come of age, he often went to hear the General of the Norm teaching,[1] and thereby, believing in the doctrine, entered the Order, and in due course won arahantship. Thereupon reviewing his achievement, he extolled the venerableness and determining power for good of the wise in these verses:
[370] He that is valiant and learn'd in the word of the masters,
Therein can rest[2] and therefor can cherish affection,
Him ye may call devoted[3] and wise: thus he may be
One that winneth distinction in knowledge of doctrines.[4]
[205] [371] Him, whose steadfast philosophy hardship unparalleled
Testing has no power to disturb or bewilder,
Him ye may call strong-willed and wise: thus he may be
One that winneth distinction in knowledge of doctrines.
[372] He who abideth as ocean unyielding, unfathomed
As to his insight in problems subtle and delicate,
Him ye may call inexpugnable,[5] wise: thus he may be
One that winneth distinction in knowledge of doctrines.
[373] Erudite, one who beareth the Word in his memory,
Practiser he of all doctrine, greater and lesser,
Him ye may call all this and wise: thus he may be
One that winneth distinction in knowledge of doctrines.
[374] He who knoweth the meaning of that which is spoken,
Knowing the meaning, shapeth his actions accordingly.
'Meaning-within-side'[6] call him and wise: thus he may be
One that winneth distinction in knowledge of doctrines.
[1] Sāriputta, a native of a village in Magadha.
[2] Vase' = vaseyya (Commentary).
[3] Bhattimā, meaning either this, or one who can distinguish (vide Childers). The former meaning seems required by 'can cherish affection,' but I doubt if this (later very prevalent) meaning occurs elsewhere in the Piṭakas. The Commentary's remark is: So ti so gaūnaṃ vacaññā dhīro, so yathānusiṭṭkaṃ paṭipattiyā, tattha, bhattimā ca nāma hoti.
[4] Cf. Sutta-Nipāta, iv. 13, 11, where the line occurs. It does not seem to me to require the alteration suggested by Dr. Neumann. Visesi assa: viaesavā siyā. Cy.
[5] Lit., 'who may not be removed.'
[6] Atth-antaro. We are reminded of M. Bergson's phrase, that 'by intuition we may see the becoming of things from within, transported by an effort of sympathy' (Creative Evolution, pp. 361 f. 334). The Cy., however, reads atthandharo. Cf. dhammadharo just above.
