KN.DHP320-333 — The Nāga Vagga
Like an elephant in battle enduring an arrow shot from a bow, I will endure harsh words, for many people are of poor conduct. The tamed are led to assemblies; the tamed are mounted by kings. Among humans, the tamed one who endures harsh words is the best. Tamed mules, thoroughbreds from Sindh, and great elephants are all considered excellent, but one who has tamed oneself is better.
Not by these vehicles can one reach the untrodden land, as one who is self-tamed, with a well-tamed mind, reaches it.
The elephant named Dhanapāla, difficult to restrain, with a pungent smell, does not eat a morsel when bound, remembering the elephant forest.
When one is lazy and a glutton, sleeping and rolling about like a fat pig fed on grain, that fool returns to the womb again and again.
Previously, this mind wandered wherever it wished, wherever it desired, wherever it pleased. Today, I will restrain it thoroughly, as a mahout controls an elephant with a hook.
Be devoted to heedfulness, protect your mind. Lift yourself from the mire, like an elephant stuck in the mud.
If one finds a wise companion, who lives righteously and is intelligent, one should travel with him, overcoming all dangers, content and mindful. If one does not find a wise companion, who lives righteously and is intelligent, one should travel alone, like a king leaving a conquered kingdom, like an elephant in the forest. It is better to live alone; there is no companionship with a fool. One should live alone, doing no evil, unconcerned, like an elephant in the forest.
Friends are pleasant when need arises; delight is pleasant when shared with others. Merit is pleasant at the end of life; the abandonment of all suffering is pleasant. Filial piety is pleasant in the world; respect for one's parents is pleasant. Harmony is pleasant in the world; respect for the noble ones is pleasant. Virtue is pleasant until old age; faith firmly established is pleasant. The acquisition of wisdom is pleasant; not doing unwholesomeis pleasant.