Chapter 22

One who tells lies arises (by way of rebirth) in a state of woe, as does one who, having done something, says ‘I don’t do (that sort of thing).’ These two sons of Manu (the Primeval Progenitor),17 men of base actions, on departing (this life) have the same (painful destiny) in the other world.

Many ‘yellow-necks’ (i.e., wearers of the yellow robe)18 are of bad qualities (or: of an evil disposition) and uncontrolled. These bad people, on account of their bad deeds, arise (after death) in a state of woe.

Better to swallow a flaming, red hot ball of iron, than to be an immoral, uncontrolled man living on the almsfood of the land.

A heedless man who resorts to the wives of others comes by four (evil) states: acquisition of demerit; not sleeping (soundly) as desired; thirdly, blame; (and) fourthly, (rebirth in) a state of woe.

(The result is) acquisition of demerit and a wretched (future) course; the short-lived enjoyment of an apprehensive man with an apprehensive woman; also the king imposes a heavy penalty. Therefore let not a man resort to another’s wife.

Just as (sharp-edged) kusa grass, wrongly taken hold of, cuts the hand, so the life of a religieux, wrongly grasped, drags down to a state of woe.

Any unprincipled act, and any sullied religious observance – a (slack) spiritual life (brahmacariya) filled with suspicion – this is of little benefit.

If you have something to do, attack it vigorously. One who lives the homeless life halfheartedly scatters much dust of passion around.

An ill deed is better left undone, (for) an ill deed torments one afterwards (with remorse). Better done is a good deed, having done which one is not (so) tormented.

Like a frontier city well-guarded within and without, so guard yourself. Let not the (fortunate) moment (of human birth etc.) pass you by. Those who allow the fortunate moment to pass by grieve when they go to the woeful state.

Those who are ashamed of what is not shameful, (and) not ashamed of what is shameful, such beings, taking upon themselves wrong views, go to an evil state.

Those who see what (morally) is not fearful as fearful, and who see what (morally) is fearful as not fearful, such beings, taking upon themselves wrong views, go to an evil state.

Those who think what (morally) is blameable not blameable, and who see what (morally) is not blameable as blameable, such beings, taking upon themselves wrong views, go to an evil state.

Knowing the (morally) blameable as blameable, and the (morally) free from blame as blameless, those beings, taking upon themselves right views, go to a happy state.