Chapter 7: The Arahats

Depicts the enlightened one who has reached the ultimate goal.

Verse 1

The fever of passion exists not for him who has completed the journey, who is sorrowless and wholly set free, and has broken all ties.

Verse 2

The mindful ones exert themselves. They are not attached to any home; like swans that abandon the lake, they leave home after home behind.

Verse 3

Those who do not accumulate and are wise regarding food, whose object is the Void, the Unconditioned Freedom — their track cannot be traced, like that of birds in the air.

Verse 4

He whose cankers are destroyed and who is not attached to food, whose object is the Void, the Unconditioned Freedom — his path cannot be traced, like that of birds in the air.

Verse 5

Even the gods hold dear the wise one, whose senses are subdued like horses well trained by a charioteer, whose pride is destroyed and who is free from the cankers.

Verse 6

There is no more worldly existence for the wise one who, like the earth, resents nothing, who is firm as a high pillar and as pure as a deep pool free from mud.

Verse 7

Calm is his thought, calm his speech, and calm his deed, who, truly knowing, is wholly freed, perfectly tranquil and wise.

Verse 8

The man who is without blind faith, who knows the Uncreated, who has severed all links, destroyed all causes (for karma, good and evil), and thrown out all desires — he, truly, is the most excellent of men.

Verse 9

Inspiring, indeed, is that place where Arahants dwell, be it a village, a forest, a vale, or a hill.

Verse 10

Inspiring are the forests in which worldlings find no pleasure. There the passionless will rejoice, for they seek no sensual pleasures.