One would have to take a stick in hand
To save oneself from crows and dogs!
Evil-smelling and impure,
The body’s like a filthy corpse;
Despised by those who’ve eyes to see,
It’s only praised by those who’re fools!
[284] Literally reached the chief Fruit; the benefit resulting from the completion of the last stage of the path leading to Nirvāna; that is, Nirvāna itself. It is a striking proof of the estimation in which women were held among the early Buddhists, that they are several times declared to have reached this highest result of intellectual activity and earnest zeal. Compare the Introductory Story to Jātaka No. 234.
[285] Bos Grunniens.
[286] See ‘Buddhism,’ pp. 139, 140.
[287] Quoted by the Dhammapada commentator, p. 329.