Bodhicaryavatara 1.14

1.14

anena granthena vā / kuśalaṃ śubhamanaskāraṃ bhāvayitumārādhayitum / vṛddhiṃ yāti prasādavegaḥ / uttarottaravardhamānasya prasannacittasaṃtānasya pravāhavāhitayā pravṛttiḥ / anena svārthakāritvamanubhavasiddhamasya nidarśayati / parārthakāritvamapi leśataḥ saṃbhavati iti darśayannāha- atha matsametyādi / atheti prakārāntaropanyāse / svārthakāritvamasya tāvadanubhavasiddham / yadi punarmama samānaprakṛtireva kaścidanyaḥ paśyedīkṣeta, enaṃ granthamarthaṃ vā, ato 'pi parārthopayuktatvādapi sārthakaḥ saprayojano 'yam / parārthopayogasyāpi kathaṃcit saṃbhavāt / anena ślokena nirabhimānatāmātmano darśayati //

Through this work; in order to cultivate—that is, to attend to—wholesome, virtuous mental engagement, the surge of faith increases: the activity of an increasingly purified mind-stream continues in an unbroken stream. By this, he demonstrates that its effectiveness for his own sake is established by experience. Showing that its effectiveness for others’ sake is also slightly possible, he says: “moreover, should another of a nature similar to mine,” and so forth. “Atha” (moreover) introduces an alternative. Its effectiveness for his own sake is indeed established by experience. But if someone else of a nature similar to mine should see or look upon this text or its meaning, on this account too—that is, because of its usefulness for others’ sake—this work is worthwhile, possessing a purpose; for its usefulness for others’ sake is somehow possible. By this stanza, he displays his lack of arrogance.