There never was, nor will be, nor does there exist now, anyone who is only criticized or only praised.

Na cāhu na ca bhavissati na cetarahi vijjati — there never was, nor will be, nor exists now: the statement covers three times — past, future, and present. At no moment in history has there been nor will there be someone universally criticized or universally praised.

Ekantaṃ nindito poso ekantaṃ vā pasaṃsito — exclusively criticized or exclusively praised: ekanta is exclusively, totally. No one is the exclusive object of criticism or praise. Even Buddhas were criticized by some and praised by others.

This verse reinforces the teaching of the previous one (227). If not even the most perfect beings can avoid criticism, then worrying about it is a waste of energy. Equanimity toward criticism and praise (nindā-pasaṃsā) is one of the worldly factors that the sage transcends.

The freedom this teaching offers is immediate: ceasing to seek universal approval frees enormous energy that can be redirected toward genuine practice.