824 “Here alone is purity,” they say,
denying that there is purification in other teachings.
Speaking of the beauty in that which they depend on,
each one is dogmatic about their own idiosyncratic interpretation.

825 Desiring debate, they plunge into an assembly,
where each takes the other as a fool.
Relying on others they state their contention,
desiring praise while claiming to be experts.

826 Addicted to debating in the midst of the assembly,
their need for praise makes them nervous.
But when they’re repudiated they get embarrassed;
upset at criticism, they find fault in others.

827 If their doctrine is said to be weak,
and judges declare it repudiated,
the loser weeps and wails,
moaning: “They beat me.”

828 When these arguments come up among ascetics,
they get excited or dejected.
Seeing this, refrain from contention,
for the only purpose is praise and profit.

829 But if, having declared their doctrine,
they are praised there in the midst of the assembly,
they laugh and proudly show off because of it,
having got what they wanted.

830 Their pride is their downfall,
yet they speak from conceit and arrogance.
Seeing this, one ought not get into arguments,
for experts say this is no way to purity.

831 As a warrior, after feasting on royal food,
goes roaring, wanting an opponent—
go off and find an opponent, Sūra,
for here, as before, there is no-one to fight.

832 When someone argues about a view they’ve adopted,
saying: “This is the only truth,”
say to them: “Here you’ll have no adversary
when a dispute has come up.”

833 There are those who live far from the crowd,
not countering views with view.
Who is there to argue with you, Pasūra,
among those who grasp nothing here as the highest?

834 And so you come along speculating,
thinking up theories in your mind.
Now that you’ve challenged someone who is cleansed,
you’ll not be able to respond.

824Idheva suddhī iti vādayanti,
Nāññesu dhammesu visuddhimāhu;
Yaṁ nissitā tattha subhaṁ vadānā,
Paccekasaccesu puthū niviṭṭhā.

825 Te vādakāmā parisaṁ vigayha,
Bālaṁ dahantī mithu aññamaññaṁ;
Vadanti te aññasitā kathojjaṁ,
Pasaṁsakāmā kusalā vadānā.

826 Yutto kathāyaṁ parisāya majjhe,
Pasaṁsamicchaṁ vinighāti hoti;
Apāhatasmiṁ pana maṅku hoti,
Nindāya so kuppati randhamesī.

827 Yamassa vādaṁ parihīnamāhu,
Apāhataṁ pañhavimaṁsakāse;
Paridevati socati hīnavādo,
Upaccagā manti anutthunāti.

828 Ete vivādā samaṇesu jātā,
Etesu ugghātinighāti hoti;
Etampi disvā virame kathojjaṁ,
Na haññadatthatthi pasaṁsalābhā.

829 Pasaṁsito vā pana tattha hoti,
Akkhāya vādaṁ parisāya majjhe;
So hassatī unnamatī ca tena,
Pappuyya tamatthaṁ yathā mano ahu.

830 Yā unnatī sāssa vighātabhūmi,
Mānātimānaṁ vadate paneso;
Etampi disvā na vivādayetha,
Na hi tena suddhiṁ kusalā vadanti.

831 Sūro yathā rājakhādāya puṭṭho,
Abhigajjameti paṭisūramicchaṁ;
Yeneva so tena palehi sūra,
Pubbeva natthi yadidaṁ yudhāya.

832 Ye diṭṭhimuggayha vivādayanti,
Idameva saccanti ca vādayanti;
Te tvaṁ vadassū na hi tedha atthi,
Vādamhi jāte paṭisenikattā.

833 Visenikatvā pana ye caranti,
Diṭṭhīhi diṭṭhiṁ avirujjhamānā;
Tesu tvaṁ kiṁ labhetho pasūra,
Yesīdha natthī paramuggahītaṁ.

834 Atha tvaṁ pavitakkamāgamā,
Manasā diṭṭhigatāni cintayanto;
Dhonena yugaṁ samāgamā,
Na hi tvaṁ sakkhasi sampayātaveti.