One who restrains arisen anger as if stopping a runaway chariot — such a one I call a true charioteer; others merely hold the reins.

Yo ve uppatitaṃ kodhaṃ rathaṃ bhantaṃva vāraye — one who restrains arisen anger like stopping a runaway chariot: uppatita is arisen, appeared. Bhanta is runaway, out of control. Anger arises suddenly like a bolting horse — the true charioteer stops it before it causes harm.

Tamahaṃ sārathiṃ brūmi — such a one I call a charioteer: sārathi is the chariot driver. The Buddha speaks in first person — “I call” — giving personal authority to the definition. The true driver is not one who guides when all goes well but one who controls when the chariot runs away.

Rasmiggāho itaro jano — others merely hold the reins: rasmiggāha is one who holds the reins. The difference between holding reins (when the horse obeys) and controlling a runaway chariot (when anger arises) is the difference between superficial and real practice.

The true test of practice is not seated meditation in ideal conditions but the moment when anger arises unexpectedly. One who can stop it in that instant is the true charioteer.