title: The Dhammapada
author:  Eknath Easwaran 
description: According to Eknath Easwaran, if all of the Buddhist sutras had been lost except the <i>Dhammapada</i>, it alone would be enough for readers to understand and appreciate the wisdom of the Buddha. Easwaran's version of the <i>Dhammapada</i> goes a long way toward proving this. In a lengthy introduction, Easwaran summarizes the life of the Buddha and the main tenets of his thought, including key concepts such as dharma, karma, and nirvana. The language of the Dhammapada is as lucid and flowing as the Psalms or the Sermon on the Mount, and this is why it is one of the most loved and remembered of all Buddhist sutras. Its subject matter, succinctly, is about training the mind, which leads to kind thoughts and deeds, which bring peace and freedom from suffering. If you are interested in reading one of the gems of Buddhist literature, this is a good place to start; and if you are looking for a great version of this beloved scripture, you can't do better. Like all great world scripture, the verses here reward rereading and reflection, prompting you to "strive for wisdom always." <i>--Brian Bruya</i>
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  ASHOKA THE UNGREAT
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
  auṃ viṣṇuḥ auṃ viṣṇuḥ auṃ viṣṇuḥ |
  
  
  auṃ tadviṣṇoḥ paramaṃ padaṃ sadā paśyanti sūrayaḥ |
  
  
  divīva cakṣurātatam ||
  
  
  auṃ namo nārāyaṇāya |
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  auṃ asato mā sadgamaya | tamaso mā jyotirgamaya | mṛtyormā amṛtaṃ gamaya |
  
  
  auṃ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ ||
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  auṃ gaṇeśāya namaḥ |
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
  ASHOKA THE UNGREAT
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Subhodeep Mukhopadhyay
  
  
  [www.thetinyman.in](http://www.thetinyman.in)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Kolkata, 2016
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
  
  
  
  All rights reserved. No parts of this publication may be reproduced, stored in
  a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic,
  mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior
  permission of the author.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  © Subhodeep Mukhopadhyay
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Published by
  
  
  The Tiny Man Publications (2016)
  
  
  [subhodeep.mukhopadhyay@gmail.com](mailto:subhodeep.mukhopadhyay@gmail.com)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Co