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## Dharma Study Commentary -
A renunciate-initiated Sadhu, dwelling in the highest vows, should strive in the practice of the great vows of non-violence, etc. To illustrate the fame and expression of non-violence, the Sutra-maker says two verses, beginning with "Puḍhavīu".
The beings of the earth element are diverse, differing in their subtle-gross, sufficient-insufficient, and insufficient-insufficient categories. Similarly, the beings of the water element, fire element, and air element are also diverse, like the beings of the earth element.
The Sutra-maker now briefly explains the diversity of beings of the plant element: Kusha and Vacchaka, etc., grasses, mango and Ashoka, etc., trees, rice, wheat, and barley, etc., seeds - all these five are one-sensed beings.
Now, the scholar explains the sixth, the animal element: Birds like the Shakun and the Baz, the house-cuckoo, and reptiles that crawl are oviparous. Elephants, Sarabha, etc., born as babies are viviparous. Cows and humans, etc., born wrapped in the womb are uterine. Beings born from curd, sour-gruel, etc., are rasa-born. Lice, bedbugs, etc., born from sweat are sweat-born. Grasshoppers, frogs, etc., are born from moisture.
It is very difficult to protect these beings without knowing their differences. Therefore, their differences have been explained here.
**Verse 9:**
**Shadow:** "From these six elements, the wise should know. With mind, body, and speech, one should not begin, nor take possession."
**Translation:** The wise and discerning person should understand these six elements as beings and should not begin, nor take possession of them with mind, speech, and body.
**Commentary:** "By these" - the aforementioned six elements, including the mobile, immobile, subtle, gross, sufficient, and insufficient categories - one should not begin, nor take possession. This is the connection. The wise, with their knowledge and understanding, should recognize these and, with their knowledge of rejection, should avoid beginning and taking possession of beings with mind, speech, and body, which are harmful to life.
**Verse 10:**
**Shadow:** "False speech, sexual intercourse, and taking what is not given. Weapons, etc., in the world, the wise should know."
**Translation:** The wise should know that false speech, sexual intercourse, and taking what is not given, as well as weapons, etc., in the world, are all harmful.