Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).
Yasmā hi dhammaṁ puriso vijaññā,
If you would learn the teaching from someone,
Indaṁva naṁ devatā pūjayeyya;
honor them as the gods honor Indra.
So pūjito tasmi pasannacitto,
Then they will have confidence in you,
Bahussuto pātukaroti dhammaṁ.
and being learned, they reveal the teaching.
Tadaṭṭhikatvāna nisamma dhīro,
Heeding well, an attentive one,
Dhammānudhammaṁ paṭipajjamāno;
practicing in line with that teaching
Viññū vibhāvī nipuṇo ca hoti,
grows intelligent, discerning, and subtle
Yo tādisaṁ bhajati appamatto.
through diligently sticking close to such a person.
Khuddañca bālaṁ upasevamāno,
But associating with a petty fool
Anāgatatthañca usūyakañca;
who falls short of the goal, jealous,
Idheva dhammaṁ avibhāvayitvā,
then unable to discern the teaching in this life,
Avitiṇṇakaṅkho maraṇaṁ upeti.
one proceeds to death still plagued by doubts.
Yathā naro āpagamotaritvā,
It’s like a man who has plunged into a river,
Mahodakaṁ salilaṁ sīghasotaṁ;
a rushing torrent in spate.
So vuyhamāno anusotagāmī,
As they are swept away downstream,
Kiṁ so pare sakkhati tārayetuṁ.
how could they help others across?
Tatheva dhammaṁ avibhāvayitvā,
Just so, one unable to discern the teaching,
Bahussutānaṁ anisāmayatthaṁ;
who hasn’t studied the meaning under the learned,
Sayaṁ ajānaṁ avitiṇṇakaṅkho,
not knowing it oneself, still plagued by doubts,
Kiṁ so pare sakkhati nijjhapetuṁ.
how could they help others to contemplate?
Yathāpi nāvaṁ daḷhamāruhitvā,
But one who has embarked on a strong boat
Phiyena rittena samaṅgibhūto;
equipped with rudder and oar,
So tāraye tattha bahūpi aññe,
would bring many others across there
Tatrūpayaññū kusalo mutīmā.
with skill, care, and intelligence.
Evampi yo vedagu bhāvitatto,
So too one who understands—a knowledge master,
Bahussuto hoti avedhadhammo;
evolved, learned, and unflappable—
So kho pare nijjhapaye pajānaṁ,
can help others to contemplate,
Sotāvadhānūpanisūpapanne.
so long as they are prepared to listen carefully.
Tasmā have sappurisaṁ bhajetha,
That’s why you should spend time with a true person,
Medhāvinañceva bahussutañca;
intelligent and learned.
Aññāya atthaṁ paṭipajjamāno,
Having understood the meaning, putting it into practice,
Viññātadhammo sa sukhaṁ labhethāti.
one who understands the teaching would find happiness.
Nāvāsuttaṁ aṭṭhamaṁ.
Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).
If you would learn the teaching from someone,
honor them as the gods honor Indra.
Then they will have confidence in you,
and being learned, they reveal the teaching.
Heeding well, an attentive one,
practicing in line with that teaching
grows intelligent, discerning, and subtle
through diligently sticking close to such a person.
But associating with a petty fool
who falls short of the goal, jealous,
then unable to discern the teaching in this life,
one proceeds to death still plagued by doubts.
It’s like a man who has plunged into a river,
a rushing torrent in spate.
As they are swept away downstream,
how could they help others across?
Just so, one unable to discern the teaching,
who hasn’t studied the meaning under the learned,
not knowing it oneself, still plagued by doubts,
how could they help others to contemplate?
But one who has embarked on a strong boat
equipped with rudder and oar,
would bring many others across there
with skill, care, and intelligence.
So too one who understands—a knowledge master,
evolved, learned, and unflappable—
can help others to contemplate,
so long as they are prepared to listen carefully.
That’s why you should spend time with a true person,
intelligent and learned.
Having understood the meaning, putting it into practice,
one who understands the teaching would find happiness.
Yasmā hi dhammaṁ puriso vijaññā,
Indaṁva naṁ devatā pūjayeyya;
So pūjito tasmi pasannacitto,
Bahussuto pātukaroti dhammaṁ.
Tadaṭṭhikatvāna nisamma dhīro,
Dhammānudhammaṁ paṭipajjamāno;
Viññū vibhāvī nipuṇo ca hoti,
Yo tādisaṁ bhajati appamatto.
Khuddañca bālaṁ upasevamāno,
Anāgatatthañca usūyakañca;
Idheva dhammaṁ avibhāvayitvā,
Avitiṇṇakaṅkho maraṇaṁ upeti.
Yathā naro āpagamotaritvā,
Mahodakaṁ salilaṁ sīghasotaṁ;
So vuyhamāno anusotagāmī,
Kiṁ so pare sakkhati tārayetuṁ.
Tatheva dhammaṁ avibhāvayitvā,
Bahussutānaṁ anisāmayatthaṁ;
Sayaṁ ajānaṁ avitiṇṇakaṅkho,
Kiṁ so pare sakkhati nijjhapetuṁ.
Yathāpi nāvaṁ daḷhamāruhitvā,
Phiyena rittena samaṅgibhūto;
So tāraye tattha bahūpi aññe,
Tatrūpayaññū kusalo mutīmā.
Evampi yo vedagu bhāvitatto,
Bahussuto hoti avedhadhammo;
So kho pare nijjhapaye pajānaṁ,
Sotāvadhānūpanisūpapanne.
Tasmā have sappurisaṁ bhajetha,
Medhāvinañceva bahussutañca;
Aññāya atthaṁ paṭipajjamāno,
Viññātadhammo sa sukhaṁ labhethāti.
Nāvāsuttaṁ aṭṭhamaṁ.