Couplet 321
What is the work of virtue? 'Not to kill';
For 'killing' leads to every work of ill
Explanation
Never to destroy life is the sum of all virtuous conduct The destruction of life leads to every evil
Couplet 322
Let those that need partake your meal; guard every-thing that lives;
This the chief and sum of lore that hoarded wisdom gives
Explanation
The chief of all (the virtues) which authors have summed up, is the partaking of food that has been shared with others, and the preservation of the mainfold life of other creatures
Couplet 323
Alone, first of goods things, is 'not to slay';
The second is, no untrue word to say
Explanation
Not to destroy life is an incomparably (great) good next to it in goodness ranks freedom from falsehood
Couplet 324
You ask, What is the good and perfect way?
'Tis path of him who studies nought to slay
Explanation
Good path is that which considers how it may avoid killing any creature
Couplet 325
Of those who 'being' dread, and all renounce, the chief are they,
Who dreading crime of slaughter, study nought to slay
Explanation
Of all those who, fearing the permanence of earthly births, have abandoned desire, he is the chief who, fearing (the guilt of) murder, considers how he may avoid the destruction of life
Couplet 326
Ev'n death that life devours, their happy days shall spare,
Who law, 'Thou shall not kill', uphold with reverent care
Explanation
Yama, the destroyer of life, will not attack the life of him, who acts under the determination of never destroying life
Couplet 327
Though thine own life for that spared life the price must pay,
Take not from aught that lives gift of sweet life away
Explanation
Let no one do that which would destroy the life of another, although he should by so doing, lose his own life
Couplet 328
Though great the gain of good should seem, the wise
Will any gain by staughter won despise
Explanation
The advantage which might flow from destroying life in sacrifice, is dishonourable to the wise (who renounced the world), even although it should be said to be productive of great good
Couplet 329
Whose trade is 'killing', always vile they show,
To minds of them who what is vileness know
Explanation
To minds of them who what is vileness know
Couplet 330
Who lead a loathed life in bodies sorely pained,
Are men, the wise declare, by guilt of slaughter stained
Explanation
(The wise) will say that men of diseased bodies, who live in degradation and in poverty, are those who separated the life from the body of animals (in a former birth)
