When you’ve laid down arms toward all creatures, “Sabbesu bhūtesu nidhāya daṇḍaṁ, not harming even a single one, Aviheṭhayaṁ aññatarampi tesaṁ; don’t wish for a child, let alone a companion: Na puttamiccheyya kuto sahāyaṁ, live alone like a horned rhino. Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

Those with close relationships have affection, “Saṁsaggajātassa bhavanti snehā, following which this pain arises. Snehanvayaṁ dukkhamidaṁ pahoti; Seeing this danger born of affection, Ādīnavaṁ snehajaṁ pekkhamāno, live alone like a horned rhino. Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

When feelings for friends and loved ones “Mitte suhajje anukampamāno, are tied up in selfish love, you miss out on the goal. Hāpeti atthaṁ paṭibaddhacitto; Seeing this peril in intimacy, Etaṁ bhayaṁ santhave pekkhamāno, live alone like a horned rhino. Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

As a spreading bamboo gets entangled, “Vaṁso visālova yathā visatto, so does concern for partners and children. Puttesu dāresu ca yā apekkhā; Like a bamboo shoot unobstructed, Vaṁsakkaḷīrova asajjamāno, live alone like a horned rhino. Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

As a wild deer loose in the forest “Migo araññamhi yathā abaddho, grazes wherever it wants, Yenicchakaṁ gacchati gocarāya; a smart person looking for freedom would Viññū naro seritaṁ pekkhamāno, live alone like a horned rhino. Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

When among friends, whether staying in place “Āmantanā hoti sahāyamajjhe, or going on a journey, you’re always on call. Vāse ṭhāne gamane cārikāya; Looking for the uncoveted freedom, Anabhijjhitaṁ seritaṁ pekkhamāno, live alone like a horned rhino. Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

Among friends you have fun and games, “Khiḍḍā ratī hoti sahāyamajjhe, and for children you are full of fondness. Puttesu ca vipulaṁ hoti pemaṁ; Though loathe to depart from those you hold dear, Piyavippayogaṁ vijigucchamāno, live alone like a horned rhino. Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

At ease in any quarter, unresisting, “Cātuddiso appaṭigho ca hoti, content with whatever comes your way; Santussamāno itarītarena; prevailing over adversities, dauntless, Parissayānaṁ sahitā achambhī, live alone like a horned rhino. Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

Even some renunciates are hard to please, “Dussaṅgahā pabbajitāpi eke, as are some layfolk dwelling at home. Atho gahaṭṭhā gharamāvasantā; Don’t worry about others’ children, Appossukko paraputtesu hutvā, live alone like a horned rhino. Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

Having shed the marks of the home life, “Oropayitvā gihibyañjanāni, like the fallen leaves of the Shady Orchid Tree; Sañchinnapatto yathā koviḷāro; having cut the bonds of the home life, a hero would Chetvāna vīro gihibandhanāni, live alone like a horned rhino. Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

If you find an alert companion, “Sace labhetha nipakaṁ sahāyaṁ, an attentive friend to live happily together, Saddhiṁ caraṁ sādhuvihāridhīraṁ; then, overcoming all adversities, Abhibhuyya sabbāni parissayāni, wander with them, joyful and mindful. Careyya tenattamano satīmā”.

If you find no alert companion, “No ce labhetha nipakaṁ sahāyaṁ, an attentive friend to live happily together, Saddhiṁ caraṁ sādhuvihāridhīraṁ; then, like a king who flees his conquered realm, Rājāva raṭṭhaṁ vijitaṁ pahāya, wander alone like a tusker in the wilds. Eko care mātaṅgaraññeva nāgo”.

Clearly we praise the blessing of a friend, “Addhā pasaṁsāma sahāyasampadaṁ, it’s good to be with friends your equal or better. Seṭṭhā samā sevitabbā sahāyā; but failing to find them, eating blamelessly, Ete aladdhā anavajjabhojī, live alone like a horned rhino. Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

Though made of shining gold, <j>well-finished by a smith, “Disvā suvaṇṇassa pabhassarāni, when two bracelets share the same arm Kammāraputtena suniṭṭhitāni; they clash up against each other. Seeing this, Saṅghaṭṭamānāni duve bhujasmiṁ, live alone like a horned rhino. Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

Thinking, “So too, if I had a partner, “Evaṁ dutīyena sahā mamassa, there’d be flattery or curses.” Vācābhilāpo abhisajjanā vā; Seeing this peril in the future, Etaṁ bhayaṁ āyatiṁ pekkhamāno, live alone like a horned rhino. Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

Sensual pleasures are diverse, sweet, delightful, “Kāmā hi citrā madhurā manoramā, appearing in disguise they disturb the mind. Virūparūpena mathenti cittaṁ; Seeing danger in sensual stimulations, Ādīnavaṁ kāmaguṇesu disvā, live alone like a horned rhino. Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

This is a calamity, a boil, a disaster, “Ītī ca gaṇḍo ca upaddavo ca, an illness, a dart, and a danger for me. Rogo ca sallañca bhayañca metaṁ; Seeing this peril in sensuality, Etaṁ bhayaṁ kāmaguṇesu disvā, live alone like a horned rhino. Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

Heat and cold, hunger and thirst, “Sītañca uṇhañca khudaṁ pipāsaṁ, wind and sun, flies and snakes: Vātātape ḍaṁsasarīsape ca; having put up with all these things, Sabbānipetāni abhisambhavitvā, live alone like a horned rhino. Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

As a full-grown elephant, lotus-fond, magnificent, “Nāgova yūthāni vivajjayitvā, forsaking the herd, Sañjātakhandho padumī uḷāro; stays as it pleases in the forest, Yathābhirantaṁ viharaṁ araññe, live alone like a horned rhino. Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

It’s impossible for one who delights in company “Aṭṭhānataṁ saṅgaṇikāratassa, to experience even temporary freedom. Yaṁ phassaye sāmayikaṁ vimuttiṁ; Heeding the speech of the Kinsman of the Sun, Ādiccabandhussa vaco nisamma, live alone like a horned rhino. Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

Thinking, “I have left twisted views behind, “Diṭṭhīvisūkāni upātivatto, reached the sure way, and gained the path; Patto niyāmaṁ paṭiladdhamaggo; I’ve given rise to knowledge, <j>and need no-one to guide me”, Uppannañāṇomhi anaññaneyyo, live alone like a horned rhino. Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

No greed, no guile, no thirst, no slur, “Nillolupo nikkuho nippipāso, dross and delusion is smelted off; Nimmakkho niddhantakasāvamoho; free of hoping for anything in the world, Nirāsayo sabbaloke bhavitvā, live alone like a horned rhino. Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

Avoid a wicked companion, “Pāpaṁ sahāyaṁ parivajjayetha, blind to the good, habitually immoral. Anatthadassiṁ visame niviṭṭhaṁ; Don’t befriend the heedless and the hankering, but Sayaṁ na seve pasutaṁ pamattaṁ, live alone like a horned rhino. Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

Spend time with the learned <j>who have memorized the teachings, “Bahussutaṁ dhammadharaṁ bhajetha, an eloquent and uplifting friend. Mittaṁ uḷāraṁ paṭibhānavantaṁ; When you understand the meanings <j>and have dispelled doubt, Aññāya atthāni vineyya kaṅkhaṁ, live alone like a horned rhino. Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

When you realize that worldly fun and games “Khiḍḍaṁ ratiṁ kāmasukhañca loke, and pleasure are inadequate, <j>unconcerned with them, Analaṅkaritvā anapekkhamāno; as one unadorned, a speaker of truth, Vibhūsanaṭṭhānā virato saccavādī, live alone like a horned rhino. Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

Children, partner, father, mother, “Puttañca dāraṁ pitarañca mātaraṁ, wealth and grain and relatives: Dhanāni dhaññāni ca bandhavāni; having given up sensual pleasures to this extent, Hitvāna kāmāni yathodhikāni, live alone like a horned rhino. Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

“This is a chain. Here there’s hardly any happiness, “Saṅgo eso parittamettha sokhyaṁ, little gratification, and it’s full of drawbacks. Appassādo dukkhamettha bhiyyo; It’s a hook.” Knowing this, a thoughtful person would Gaḷo eso iti ñatvā matīmā, live alone like a horned rhino. Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

Having burst apart the fetters, “Sandālayitvāna saṁyojanāni, like a fish that tears the net and swims free, Jālaṁva bhetvā salilambucārī; or a fire not returning to ground it has burned, Aggīva daḍḍhaṁ anivattamāno, live alone like a horned rhino. Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

Eyes downcast, not footloose, “Okkhittacakkhu na ca pādalolo, senses guarded, mind protected, Guttindriyo rakkhitamānasāno; not festering or burning with desire, Anavassuto apariḍayhamāno, live alone like a horned rhino. Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

Having shed the marks of the home life, “Ohārayitvā gihibyañjanāni, like the fallen leaves of the Shady Orchid Tree, Sañchannapatto yathā pārichatto; and gone forth in the ocher robe, Kāsāyavattho abhinikkhamitvā, live alone like a horned rhino. Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

Not wanton, nor rousing greed for tastes, “Rasesu gedhaṁ akaraṁ alolo, providing for no other, <j>wandering indiscriminately for alms, Anaññaposī sapadānacārī; not attached to this family or that, Kule kule appaṭibaddhacitto, live alone like a horned rhino. Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

When you’ve given up five mental obstacles, “Pahāya pañcāvaraṇāni cetaso, and cast aside all corruptions, Upakkilese byapanujja sabbe; and cut off affection and hate, being independent, Anissito chetva sinehadosaṁ, live alone like a horned rhino. Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

When you’ve put pleasure and pain behind you, “Vipiṭṭhikatvāna sukhaṁ dukhañca, and former happiness and sadness, Pubbeva ca somanassadomanassaṁ; and gained equanimity serene and pure, Laddhānupekkhaṁ samathaṁ visuddhaṁ, live alone like a horned rhino. Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

With energy roused to reach the ultimate goal, “Āraddhaviriyo paramatthapattiyā, not sluggish in mind or lazy, Alīnacitto akusītavutti; vigorous, strong and powerful, Daḷhanikkamo thāmabalūpapanno, live alone like a horned rhino. Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

Not neglecting retreat and absorption, “Paṭisallānaṁ jhānamariñcamāno, always living in line with the teaching, Dhammesu niccaṁ anudhammacārī; comprehending the danger in rebirths, Ādīnavaṁ sammasitā bhavesu, live alone like a horned rhino. Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

One whose aim is the ending of craving—“Taṇhakkhayaṁ patthayamappamatto, diligent, clever, learned, mindful, resolute—Aneḷamūgo sutavā satīmā; who has appraised the teaching and is bound for awakening, should Saṅkhātadhammo niyato padhānavā, live alone like a horned rhino. Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

Like a lion not startled by sounds, “Sīhova saddesu asantasanto, like wind not caught in a net, Vātova jālamhi asajjamāno; like water not sticking to a lotus, Padumaṁva toyena alippamāno, live alone like a horned rhino. Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

Like the fierce-fanged lion, king of beasts, “Sīho yathā dāṭhabalī pasayha, who wanders as conqueror and victor, Rājā migānaṁ abhibhuyya cārī; you should frequent remote lodgings, and Sevetha pantāni senāsanāni, live alone like a horned rhino. Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

In time, cultivate freedom through “Mettaṁ upekkhaṁ karuṇaṁ vimuttiṁ, love, compassion, rejoicing, and equanimity. Āsevamāno muditañca kāle; Not upset by anything in the world, Sabbena lokena avirujjhamāno, live alone like a horned rhino. Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

Having given up greed, hate, and delusion, “Rāgañca dosañca pahāya mohaṁ, having burst apart the fetters, Sandālayitvāna saṁyojanāni; unafraid at the end of life, Asantasaṁ jīvitasaṅkhayamhi, live alone like a horned rhino. Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

They befriend you and serve you for their own sake; “Bhajanti sevanti ca kāraṇatthā, these days it’s hard to find friends <j>lacking ulterior motive. Nikkāraṇā dullabhā ajja mittā; Impure folk cleverly profit themselves—Attaṭṭhapaññā asucī manussā, live alone like a horned rhino. Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

Khaggavisāṇasuttaṁ tatiyaṁ.