Sn 1.3 PTS: Sn
35-75
Khaggavisana Sutta: A
Rhinoceros
translated from the
Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu © 1997
Translator's note: The refrain in this sutta
is a subject of controversy. The text literally says, "Wander alone
like a 'sword-horn,' which is the Pali term for rhinoceros. The
commentary, however, insists that this term refers not to the
animal but to its horn, for the Indian rhinoceros, unlike the
African, has only one horn. Still, some scholars have noted that
while the Indian rhinoceros is a solitary animal, rhinoceros horns
don't wander, and that in other verses in the Pali canon, the
phrase "wander alone like..." takes a person or an animal, not an
animal part, for its object. Thus, for example, in Dhp 329
(repeated below), one is told to "wander alone like a king
renouncing his kingdom, like the elephant in the Matanga woods, his
herd." It's possible that the rhinoceros was chosen here as an
example of solitary wandering both because of its habits and
because of its unusual single horn. However, in a translation, it's
necessary to choose one reading over the other. Thus, because
wandering "like a rhinoceros" sounds more natural than wandering
"like a horn," I have chosen the former rendering. Keep in mind,
though, that the singularity of the rhinoceros' horn reinforces the
image.
As noted under I.1, there is evidence
suggesting that the verses here were originally separate poems,
composed on separate occasions, and that they have been gathered
together because of their common refrain.
Renouncing violence
for all living beings,
harming not even a one,
you would not wish for offspring,
so how a companion?
Wander alone like a rhinoceros.
For a sociable person
there are allurements;
on the heels of allurement, this
pain.
Seeing allurement's drawback,
wander alone like a rhinoceros.
One whose mind
is enmeshed in sympathy
for friends & companions,
neglects the true goal.
Seeing this danger in intimacy,
wander alone like a rhinoceros.
Like spreading bamboo, entwined,
is concern for offspring &
spouses.
Like a bamboo sprout, unentangling,
wander alone like a rhinoceros.
As a deer in the wilds, unfettered,
goes for forage wherever it wants:
the wise person, valuing freedom,
wanders alone like a rhinoceros.
In the midst of companions
— when staying at home,
when going out wandering —
you are prey to requests.
Valuing the freedom
wander alone like a rhinoceros.
There is sporting & love
in the midst of companions,
& abundant fondness for
offspring.
Feeling disgust at the prospect of
parting
from those who'd be dear,
wander alone like a rhinoceros.
Without resistance in all four
directions,
content with whatever you get,
enduring troubles with no dismay,
wander alone like a rhinoceros.
They are hard to please,
some of those gone forth,
as well as those living the household
life.
Shedding concern for these offspring of
others,
wander alone like a rhinoceros.
Cutting off the householder's
marks,[1]
like a kovilara tree that has shed its
leaves,
the prudent one, cutting all household
ties,
wander alone like a rhinoceros.
If you gain a mature companion,
a fellow traveler, right-living &
wise,
overcoming all dangers go with him,
gratified,
mindful.
If you don't gain a mature
companion,
a fellow traveler, right-living &
wise,
wander alone like a king renouncing his
kingdom,
like the elephant in the Matanga wilds, his
herd.
We praise companionship
— yes! Those on a par, or better,
should be chosen as friends.
If they're not to be found, living
faultlessly,
wander alone like a rhinoceros.
Seeing radiant bracelets of gold,
well-made by a smith, clinking,
clashing,
two on an arm,
wander alone like a rhinoceros,
[thinking:]
"In the same way,
if I were to live with another,
there would be careless talk or
abusive."
Seeing this future danger,
wander alone like a rhinoceros.
Because sensual pleasures,
elegant, honeyed, & charming,
bewitch the mind with their manifold forms
—
seeing this drawback in sensual strands
—
wander alone like a rhinoceros.
"Calamity, tumor, misfortune,
disease, an arrow, a danger for
me."
Seeing this danger in sensual
strands,
wander alone like a rhinoceros.
Cold & heat, hunger &
thirst,
wind & sun, horseflies &
snakes:
enduring all these, without
exception,
wander alone like a rhinoceros.
As a great white elephant, with massive
shoulders,
renouncing his herd, lives in the wilds
wherever he wants,
wander alone like a rhinoceros.
"There's no way that one delighting in
company
can touch even momentary release."
Heeding the Solar Kinsman's words,
wander alone like a rhinoceros.
Transcending the contortion of
views,
the sure way attained,the path
gained,
[realizing:]
"Unled by others, I have knowledge
arisen,"
wander alone like a rhinoceros.
With no greed, no deceit,
no thirst, no hypocrisy —
delusion & blemishes
blown away — with no inclinations for all the
world,
every world,
wander alone like a rhinoceros.
Avoid the evil companion
disregarding the goal, intent on the
out-of-tune way.
Don't take as a friend
someone heedless & hankering.
wander alone like a rhinoceros.
Consort with one who is learned,
who maintains the Dhamma,
a great & quick-witted friend.
Knowing the meanings, subdue your
perplexity,
[then] wander alone like a
rhinoceros,
Free from longing, finding no
pleasure
in the world's sport, love, or sensual
bliss,
abstaining from adornment, speaking the
truth,
wander alone like a rhinoceros.
Abandoning offspring, spouse,
father, mother, riches, grain,
relatives,
& sensual pleasures altogether,
wander alone like a rhinoceros.
"This is a bondage, a baited hook.
There's little happiness here,
next to no satisfaction,
all the more suffering & pain."
Knowing this, circumspect,
wander alone like a rhinoceros.
Shattering fetters,
like a fish in the water tearing a
net,
like a fire not coming back to what's
burnt,
wander alone like a rhinoceros.
Eyes downcast, not footloose,
senses guarded, with protected
mind,
not oozing — not burning — with
lust,
wander alone like a rhinoceros.
Taking off the householder's
marks,[2]
like a coral tree that has shed its
leaves,
going forth in the ochre robe,
wander alone like a rhinoceros.
Showing no greed for flavors, not
careless,
going from house to house for alms,
with mind unenmeshed in this family or
that,
wander alone like a rhinoceros.
Abandoning barriers to awareness,
expelling all defilements — all —
non-dependent, cutting aversion,
allurement,
wander alone like a rhinoceros.
Turning your back on pleasure &
pain,
as earlier with sorrow & joy,
attaining pure equanimity,
tranquillity,
wander alone like a rhinoceros.
With persistence aroused
for the highest goal's attainment,
with mind unsmeared, not lazy in
action,
firm in effort, with steadfastness &
strength arisen,
wander alone like a rhinoceros.
Not neglecting seclusion,
absorption,
constantly living the Dhamma
in line with the Dhamma,
comprehending the danger in states of
becoming,
wander alone like a rhinoceros.
Intent on the ending of craving &
heedful,
learned, mindful, not muddled,
certain — having reckoned the Dhamma
—
& striving,
wander alone like a rhinoceros.
Unstartled, like a lion at sounds.
Unsnared, like the wind in a net.
Unsmeared, like a lotus in water:
wander alone like a rhinoceros.
Like a lion — forceful, strong in
fang,
living as a conqueror, the king of beasts
—
resort to a solitary dwelling.
Wander alone like a rhinoceros.
At the right time consorting
with the release through good will,
compassion, appreciation,
equanimity,
unobstructed by all the world, any
world,
wander alone like a rhinoceros.
Having let go of passion, aversion,
delusion;
having shattered the fetters;
undisturbed at the ending of life,
wander alone like a rhinoceros.
People follow & associate for a
motive.
Friends without a motive these days are
rare.
They're shrewd for their own ends, &
impure.
Wander alone like a rhinoceros.
Notes
1.Hair
and beard.
2.Lay
clothing.
