[291] "Bhikkhu, 'termite mound' (vammika) — this is a designation for this body, composed of the four great elements, originating from mother and father, built up from boiled rice and porridge, subject by its nature to impermanence, to being worn away by anointing and massage, to breaking up and dispersal.
And what is the fuming by night? Bhikkhu, whatever one thinks over and ponders over by night concerning the work of the day — this is the fuming by night. And what is the flaming by day? Bhikkhu, whatever work one undertakes by day, by body and by speech, having thought it over and pondered it by night — this is the flaming by day.
'Brahmin,' bhikkhu, is a designation for the Tathāgata, the Accomplished One, the Fully Awakened One. 'Sumedha' (wise one), bhikkhu, is a designation for the bhikkhu who is a trainee (sekha). 'Sword,' bhikkhu, is a designation for noble wisdom. 'Digging,' bhikkhu, is a designation for the arousing of energy. 'Bolt,' bhikkhu, is a designation for ignorance (avijjā). 'Throw out the bolt: abandon ignorance. Dig, wise one, taking up the sword' — this is the meaning of that.
'Toad,' bhikkhu, is a designation for anger and despair (kodhūpāyāsa). 'Throw out the toad: abandon anger and despair. Dig, wise one, taking up the sword' — this is the meaning of that.
'Forked path,' bhikkhu, is a designation for doubt (vicikicchā). 'Throw out the forked path: abandon doubt. Dig, wise one, taking up the sword' — this is the meaning of that.
'Strainer,' bhikkhu, is a designation for the five hindrances (nīvaraṇa): the hindrance of sensual desire, the hindrance of ill will, the hindrance of dullness and drowsiness, the hindrance of restlessness and remorse, and the hindrance of doubt. 'Throw out the strainer: abandon the five hindrances. Dig, wise one, taking up the sword' — this is the meaning of that.
'Tortoise,' bhikkhu, is a designation for the five aggregates subject to clinging (upādānakkhandha), namely: the aggregate of form subject to clinging, the aggregate of feeling (vedanā) subject to clinging, the aggregate of perception subject to clinging, the aggregate of volitional formations subject to clinging, and the aggregate of consciousness subject to clinging. 'Throw out the tortoise: abandon the five aggregates subject to clinging. Dig, wise one, taking up the sword' — this is the meaning of that.
'Butcher's knife and block,' bhikkhu, is a designation for the five cords of sensual pleasure (kāmaguṇa): forms cognizable by the eye that are wished for, desired, agreeable, dear in appearance, connected with sensuality, provoking lust; sounds cognizable by the ear …; odours cognizable by the nose …; flavours cognizable by the tongue …; tangibles cognizable by the body that are wished for, desired, agreeable, dear in appearance, connected with sensuality, provoking lust. 'Throw out the butcher's knife and block: abandon the five cords of sensual pleasure. Dig, wise one, taking up the sword' — this is the meaning of that.
'Piece of meat,' bhikkhu, is a designation for delight and lust (nandirāga). 'Throw out the piece of meat: abandon delight and lust. Dig, wise one, taking up the sword' — this is the meaning of that.
'Nāga,' bhikkhu, is a designation for a bhikkhu whose taints (āsava) are destroyed. 'Let the nāga be; do not disturb the nāga; pay homage to the nāga' — this is the meaning of that."
Thus spoke the Blessed One. Elated, the Venerable Kumārakassapa delighted in the Blessed One's words.
The Vammika Sutta, the third, is concluded.
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The Rathavinīta Sutta
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.