The first verses of the Dhammapada are some of the best known in Buddhism. Any translation must be done in the context of some discourses of the Aṅguttara Nikāya, specifically AN 1.43–44 and AN 1.56–57. Here we find the main terminology of the verses in what seems to be a prose explanation.
The connection between these discourses is, however, closer than it seems. In between, we find a series of ten discourses on meditation (AN 1.45–55). Now, a series of ten discourses on a theme usually makes a vagga (“chapter”) in Pali texts. But here the thematic vagga is broken, being split across the boundaries of the stated vagga of the text. This suggests it has been inserted at some point. This kind of thing is common in the Book of the Ones, almost all of which can be understood as discourse fragments split up from longer texts.
If we remove these texts, the two sets of discourses relating to Dhp 1 and 2 occur together. In fact, if we adjust the sequence, they make good sense as a single discourse. I suspect this was the original form, which was a commentary or prose expansion on the Dhp verses. Or else, in typical Aṅgutara style, the verses were a recapitulation of the prose. Putting it all together, we get this.
“Mendicants, intention is the leader of all things whatsoever that are unskillful, part of the unskillful, on the side of the unskillful. Intention is the first of those things to arise, and unskillful things follow right behind.
When I’ve comprehended the mind of an individual whose mind is corrupted, I understand: ‘If this individual were to die right now, they would be placed in hell as if delivered there.’ Why is that? Because their mind is corrupted. Corruption of mind is the reason why some sentient beings, when their body breaks up, after death, are reborn in a place of loss, a bad place, the underworld, hell.
Mendicants, intention is the leader of all things whatsoever that are skillful, part of the skillful, on the side of the skillful. Intention is the first of those things to arise, and skillful things follow right behind.
When I’ve comprehended the mind of an individual whose mind is pure, I understand: ‘If this individual were to die right now, they would be placed in heaven as if delivered there.’ Why is that? Because their mind is pure. Purity of mind is the reason why some sentient beings, when their body breaks up, after death, are reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm.
Intention is the leader of things;
intention is first, they’re made by intention.
If with corrupt intent
you speak or act,
suffering follows you,
like a wheel, the ox’s foot.Intention is the leader of things;
intention is first, they’re made by intention.
If with pure intent
you speak or act,
happiness follows you
like a shadow that never leaves.”