Dhammapada — Chapter 23: Nagavagga

14 verses

Verse 1

As an elephant in the battlefield endures the arrows shot from the bow, even so shall I endure abuse, for many people are ill-natured.

A trained elephant is led into the assembly; the king mounts a trained one. Best among people is the self-trained one who endures abuse.

Excellent are trained mules, thoroughbred Sindhu horses, and great elephants. But more excellent is one who has trained oneself.

Not by these mounts would one go to the untrodden land (Nibbana), as does one who is self-trained, by the well-tamed, tamed self.

The elephant named Dhanapalaka, in deep musth and uncontrollable, when bound eats not a morsel, but remembers the elephant forest.