Verse 193

Dhammapada Verse 193

The Story of the Question Raised by Thera Ananda

One day, Thera Ananda pondered thus: "Our Teacher has told us that thoroughbreds of elephants are born only among Chaddanta and Uposatha breeds, that thoroughbreds of horses are born only among the Sindh breed, that thoroughbreds of cattle are born only among the Usabha breed. Thus, he had talked to us only about the thoroughbreds of elephants, horses, and cattle, but not of the noblest of men (purisajanno)."

After reflecting thus, Thera Ananda went to the Buddha, and put to him the question of the noblest of men. To him the Buddha replied, "Ananda, It is hard to find the noblest of men; he is not born everywhere nor in every clan. To whatever clan such a wise man is born, that clan prospers."

Then the Buddha spoke in verse as follows:

Dullabho purisajanno¹
na so sabbattha jayati
yattha so jayati dhiro
tam kulam sukhamedhati.²

Verse 193: It is hard to find the noblest of men; he is not born everywhere nor in every clan. To whatever clan such a wise man is born, that clan prospers.

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1. purisajanno: According to the Commentary, a Buddha is intended.
2. sukhamedhati: lit., attains happiness or thrives in happiness.