Chapter III: Citta Vagga- mind

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    Verse 33. The mind is excitable and unsteady; it is difficult to control and to restrain. The wise one trains his mind to be upright as a fletcher straightens an arrow.

     Verse 34. As a fish quivers when taken out of its watery home and thrown on to dry ground, so does the mind quiver  when it is taken out of the sensual world to escape from the realm of Mãra (i., kilesa vatta, round of moral defilements).

     Verse 35. The mind is difficult to control; swiftly and lightly, it moves and lands wherever it pleases. Ii is good to tame the mind, for a well-tamed mind brings happiness.

​​​​Verse 36. The mind is very difficult to see, very delicate and subtle; it moves and lands wherever it pleases. The wise one should guard his mid, for a guarded mind brings happiness.

    Verse 37. The mind wanders far and moves about alone: it is non-material; it lies in the cave (chamber) of the heart. Those who control their mind will be free from the bonds of Mãra.

     Verse  38. If a man’s mind is unsteady, if he is ignorant of the true Dhamma, and if his faith is wavering, then his knowledge will never be perfect.

    Verse 39. If a manes mind is free from passion, if he is free from ill-will, if he has abandoned both good and evil, and if he is vigilant, for such a man there is no danger.

    Verse 40.  Knowing that this body is (fragile) like an earthen jar, making óne’s  mind  secure kike a fortified town, one should fight   Mãra  with the weapon of  Knowledge. (After  defeating  Mãra ) one should still continue to guard one’s mind, and feel no attachment to that which has been gained (i.e., jhãna  ecstasy  and serenity  gained  through  meditation).

     Verse 41. Before long, alas, this body, deprived of conscious ness, will lie on the earth, discarded like a useless log.

    Verse 42. A thief may harm a thief; an enemy may harm an enemy; but a wrongly directed mind can do oneself far greater harm.

     Verse 43: Not a mother, not a father, nor any other relative can do more for the well-being of one then a rightly- directed mind can.