PSALMS OF THE BRETHREN
Canto II.
Psalms of Two Verses
CLVI
Khitaka
Translated from the Pali by Mrs. C.A.F. Rhys Davids.
Public Domain
Reborn in this Buddha-age in the kingdom of Kosala as the son of a brahmin, and named Khitaka,[1] he heard the Norm from the Master, and entering the Order, dwelt in a forest till he won arahantship. Thereupon continuing in the bliss of fruition, of Nibbāna, a Thera enthusiastic for endeavour, he went to the bhikkhus dwelling in that forest to stir enthusiasm in them. First asking concerning their good, he spoke these verses, therein confessing aññā:
[191] Whose heart stands like a rock, and swayeth not,
Void of all lust for things that lust beget,
And all unshaken in a shifting world?[2]
To heart thus trained, whence shall come aught of ill?
[192] My heart stands like a rock, and swayeth not,
Void of all lust for things that lust beget,
And all unshaken in a shifting world.
My heart thus trained-whence shall come ill to me?
[1] Identical with the author of CIV?
[2] Lit., shakes not in that which tendeth to shake.
