(OPRC) Lesson 120 (April 30, 2026) | Dhammapada 102-103 | Bhante Dr. G. Chandima

                 

Dhammapda 102-103
(Sayings of the Dhamma)

Sahassa
(Thousands)

102. Yo ce gāthā sataṃ bhāse,
Even if one recites a hundred verses,

Anatthapada saṃhitā;
composed of meaningless words (without true benefit),

Ekaṃ dhammapadaṃ seyyo,
better is a single line of Dhamma,

Yaṃ sutvā upasammati.
hearing which, one becomes peaceful.

Full Translation:

Even if a person recites a hundred verses
made up of meaningless words,
better is a single line of Dhamma
which, when heard, brings peace.

103. Yo sahassaṃ sahassena,
Even if one conquers a thousands of thousands men,

Saṅgāme mānuse jine;
in battle, again and again,

Ekañca jeyyamattānaṃ,
but if one conquers oneself,

Sa ve saṅgāmajuttamo.
that one is the greatest victor in battle.

Full Translation:

Even if one should conquer a thousand men
in battle a thousand times,
yet he who conquers himself
is the greatest victor in battle.

Story: Kuṇḍalakesi Therī Vatthu

Notes:

Anatthapada saṃhitā: Meaningless expressions—such as descriptions of the sky, mountains, forests, and the like—spoken by those who do not reveal the path leading onward (to liberation), then the more such words increase, the more harmful they are.

dhammapadaṃ:  There are four dhammapadāni (mental principles or foundations):

Anabhijjhā Dhammapada – Guarding the mind from visama-   lobha, that is, craving for what belongs to others (covetousness).

Avyāpāda Dhammapada – Protecting the mind from ill will (vyāpāda), cultivating non-hatred and goodwill.

Sammā Sati Dhammapada – Establishing right mindfulness (sammā-sati) in the mind.

Sammā Samādhi Dhammapada – Developing right concentration (sammā-samādhi), focusing the mind on wholesome (kusala) states.