Little by little, moment by moment, the wise one removes their own impurities, as a goldsmith purifies silver.

Anupubbena medhāvī thokaṃ thokaṃ khaṇe khaṇe — gradually, little by little, moment by moment: anupubba is gradually; thoka thoka is bit by bit; khaṇe khaṇe is moment by moment. The triple insistence on gradualness is the antidote to spiritual impatience.

Kammāro rajatasseva — as a goldsmith purifies silver: kammāra is the metalwork artisan; rajata is silver. Silver purification is a slow, patient process of heating, removing impurities, and polishing.

Niddhame malamattano — removes their own impurities: niddhama is to blow away, eliminate by fire; mala are impurities. The wise one works on their own impurities with the patience and skill of the goldsmith.

The goldsmith image is one of the most beautiful descriptions of the contemplative process: one does not discard the silver along with the impurities — one preserves what is valuable and removes what obscures it. Thus practice: it does not destroy the person but reveals their natural brilliance.