อารัมภบทI shall now explain and expand upon the meaning of the Dhamma theme written above, as a guide for study and practice.

อธิบายบทตั้งTo explain: This saying warns that those who do not practise the advice or teachings shown by the wise will meet with ruin. The word "the Wise One" here translates the Pali word "buddha", which refers to the Buddha, who awakened to the Dhamma, and by extension also to the wise who have clear knowledge. "Ruin" (byasana) means destruction and loss, in wealth, in life and in virtue.

ขยายความบทตั้งThis verse comes from the Valāhassa Jātaka, in the Duka Nipāta. The Pali word "rakkhasī" literally means an ogress, a fierce female demon. The book of Buddhist sayings renders it by sense as "pirates", that is, criminals who lie in wait to attack merchants travelling by sea. The Jātaka tells that many merchants were shipwrecked and landed on an island, where ogresses, transformed into beautiful women, welcomed them and persuaded them to stay with them. The Bodhisatta, born as the horse Valāhaka, flew there to help and called out for those who wished to return home to climb onto his back. The merchants who believed the warning returned home safely, while those who were infatuated with the pleasures the ogresses offered and refused to go were later caught and eaten by the ogresses. This comparison teaches that one who has been warned but does not listen, because of infatuation with enticing things, falls into danger against which one was not on guard.

ขยายความบทตั้งA point to consider is that following advice in Buddhism is not believing without using wisdom. The Buddha taught us to examine for ourselves what is wholesome and what is unwholesome, but once we have seen that a teaching is correct and beneficial, we should actually put it into practice, not merely know it and set it aside. The ogresses in the Jātaka may be compared to sensual pleasures and temptations that seem delightful at first but bring ruin later. Ruin on the worldly level is harm in this life, while on a deeper level it is missing the opportunity to be freed from suffering and continuing to wander in saṃsāra, because one does not follow the path the Teacher pointed out.

ประโยคสะพาน + ที่มา ๑One who keeps company with the wicked cannot find true happiness and brings harm and loss upon themselves, like a chameleon that enters a company of monitor lizards and shares in their danger. This accords with the Buddha's saying found in Khuddaka Nikāya, Jātaka, Ekanipāta:

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๑To explain: This saying warns us to be careful in choosing companions, because the people we associate with influence the course of our lives. If we associate with those who like to do evil and are taken in by them or follow them, trouble may come upon ourselves and those around us.

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๑The commentary on the Godha Jātaka tells that the son of the king of the iguanas made friends with a chameleon, and would not listen even though his father warned him against it. When he grew up, the young iguana still hugged the chameleon as they used to do in play, until the chameleon was hurt and thought of destroying the iguanas. So he led a hunter to the colony's dwelling, bringing about its ruin. The iguana king, however, had prepared an escape route in advance and so escaped the danger. This story warns that associating with others without care and without heeding warnings can bring danger upon many people.

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๑"Complete happiness" here can be simply explained as happiness in full. One who associates with evil people may gain some fun or benefit, but if that fun leads one into wrongdoing, or that benefit is gained dishonestly, it becomes a cause of trouble later. One should therefore consider carefully which way the people one associates with are leading one: whether they encourage one to be honest, diligent and responsible, or to deceive, harm others and abandon one's duties.

ประโยคสะพาน + ที่มา ๒When a person builds their own happiness on the suffering of others by using force or violence to harm them, the happiness gained does not last, and they find no happiness after leaving this world. This accords with the Buddha's saying found in Khuddaka Nikāya, Dhammapada:

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๒To explain: "All beings" includes both humans and other animals, "the rod" here means a stick or weapon used to cause harm, and "after death" means after one has passed away. This saying warns that seeking happiness for oneself by harming other lives is evil kamma and does not lead to happiness in the next world.

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๒The commentary on the Dhammapada tells that the Buddha saw a group of boys beating a snake with sticks. When he asked why they were doing so, the boys replied that it was because they were afraid the snake would bite them. The Buddha then taught that one who desires happiness for oneself should not harm other beings, and spoke this verse. This story invites us to reflect that just as we love life and do not want to be hurt, other lives likewise want happiness and do not want to be harmed.

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๒One who harms others may gain momentary satisfaction or benefit, but that satisfaction arises from the suffering of the other party, and it may also give rise to fear, conflict and enmity. Harming until it becomes a habit may also make it easier to overlook the pain of others. We should therefore cultivate loving-kindness and consider whether what we are doing for our own happiness is causing trouble for anyone.

ตัวอย่างในชีวิตIn daily life, a novice whose teacher warns him to review his lessons regularly, but who does not listen and lets his time pass in play, will be unable to answer when the examination comes and will have to regret it. One whose parents warn him not to associate with people who lead him towards decline, but who stubbornly follows them anyway, may meet with trouble. A working person who receives advice about safety or careful spending but neglects to follow it may suffer an accident or fall into debt that is hard to resolve.

สรุปTo conclude: We should therefore open our hearts to listen to the advice of the Buddha and of the wise who wish us well, reflect on it with wisdom and bring it into practice, not being heedless for the sake of immediate fun or convenience. Obeying correct teachings is a shield that protects against danger both in the present and in the future. This accords with the Dhamma saying set forth as the theme at the beginning:

ปิดท้ายThus has the meaning been explained, as set forth above.