Dhammapada, Dhamma Verses (KN 2)

8: The Chapter about the Thousands – 51
Māse māse sahassena yo yajetha sataṁ samaṁ;
One might give alms impartially 1 with a thousand (coins of money) month by month for a
hundred (years);
ekañ-ca bhāvitattānaṁ muhuttam-api pūjaye –
and one might worship someone with developed self 2 for a second –
sā yeva pūjanā seyyo yañ-ce vassasataṁ hutaṁ. [106]
that worship is surely better than the hundred-year sacrifice.
Yo ca vassasataṁ jantu aggiṁ paricare vane;
One person might care for the fire in the woods for a hundred years;
ekañ-ca bhāvitattānaṁ muhuttam-api pūjaye –
and one might worship someone with developed self for a second –
sā yeva pūjanā seyyo yañ-ce vassasataṁ hutaṁ. [107]
that worship is surely better than the hundred-year sacrifice.
Yaṁ kiñci yiṭṭhaṁ ca hutaṁ ca loke
Whatever the alms or the sacrifice in the world
saṁvaccharaṁ yajetha puññapekkho,
the one seeking merit may give for a year,
sabbam-pi taṁ na catubhāgam-eti –
all that comes not to a quarter (of the merit) –
abhivādanā ujjugatesu seyyo. [108]
better is the worship of the upright.
Abhivādanasīlissa niccaṁ vaddhāpacāyino,
For the one who is constantly worshipping honourable elders,
cattāro dhammā vaḍḍhanti: āyu vaṇṇo sukhaṁ balaṁ. [109]
four things increase: the length of life, beauty, happiness, and strength.
1
Other translations seem to take samaṁ as meaning year, perhaps following the paraphrase in the
commentary; however, it doesn’t seem to be attested in that meaning, and the singular number
would be wrong, both of which are against it. Rather is seems we should take it as an adjective
with the meaning, equally, indifferently, impartially.
2
The commentary says it means anyone who is a Noble Person or one who has attained any of the
four stages of Awakening.