Deep Commentary

The Buddha reveals who has conquered the earth, the realm of Yama (the lower realms), and the celestial realms. It is the 'striver-on the-path' (Sekha), referring to those who have attained the first three stages of awakening: Stream-Enterer (Sotapanna), Once-Returner (Sakadagami), and Non-Returner (Anagami). Why have they conquered these realms? Because they have seen the ultimate truth and eradicated delusions, ending the cycle of cause and effect fueled by ignorance. Therefore, the Buddha says: 'The striver-on the-path shall bring to perfection the well-taught path of wisdom, as an expert garland-maker would his floral design.' This is the Buddha's answer to the question posed in the previous verse.