Unforeseen and unknown Animittamanaññātaṁ, is the extent of this mortal life—maccānaṁ idha jīvitaṁ; hard and short Kasirañca parittañca, and bound to pain. tañca dukkhena saṁyutaṁ.

There is no way that Na hi so upakkamo atthi, those born will not die. yena jātā na miyyare; On reaching old age death follows: Jarampi patvā maraṇaṁ, such is the nature of living creatures. evaṁdhammā hi pāṇino.

As ripe fruit Phalānamiva pakkānaṁ, are always in danger of falling, pāto patanato bhayaṁ; so mortals once born Evaṁ jātāna maccānaṁ, are always in danger of death. niccaṁ maraṇato bhayaṁ.

As clay pots Yathāpi kumbhakārassa, made by a potter katā mattikabhājanā; all end up being broken, Sabbe bhedanapariyantā, so is the life of mortals. evaṁ maccāna jīvitaṁ.

Young and old, Daharā ca mahantā ca, foolish and wise—ye bālā ye ca paṇḍitā; all go under the sway of death; Sabbe maccuvasaṁ yanti, all are destined to die. sabbe maccuparāyaṇā.

When those overcome by death Tesaṁ maccuparetānaṁ, leave this world for the next, gacchataṁ paralokato; a father cannot protect his son, Na pitā tāyate puttaṁ, nor relatives their kin. ñātī vā pana ñātake.

See how, while relatives look on, Pekkhataṁyeva ñātīnaṁ, wailing profusely, passa lālapataṁ puthu; mortals are led away one by one, Ekamekova maccānaṁ, like a cow to the slaughter. govajjho viya nīyati.

And so the world is stricken Evamabbhāhato loko, by old age and by death. Maccunā ca jarāya ca; That is why the attentive do not grieve, Tasmā dhīrā na socanti, for they understand the way of the world. Viditvā lokapariyāyaṁ.

For one whose path you do not know—Yassa maggaṁ na jānāsi, not whence they came nor where they went—āgatassa gatassa vā; you lament in vain, Ubho ante asampassaṁ, seeing neither end. niratthaṁ paridevasi.

If a bewildered person, Paridevayamāno ce, lamenting and self-harming, Kiñcidatthaṁ udabbahe; could extract any good from that, Sammūḷho hiṁsamattānaṁ, then those who see clearly would do the same. Kayirā ce naṁ vicakkhaṇo.

For not by weeping and wailing Na hi ruṇṇena sokena, will you find peace of heart. Santiṁ pappoti cetaso; It just gives rise to more suffering, Bhiyyassuppajjate dukkhaṁ, and distresses your body. Sarīraṁ cupahaññati.

Growing thin and pale, Kiso vivaṇṇo bhavati, you hurt yourself. Hiṁsamattānamattanā; It does nothing to help the dead: Na tena petā pālenti, your lamentation is in vain. Niratthā paridevanā.

Unless a personage gives up grief, Sokamappajahaṁ jantu, they fall into suffering all the more. Bhiyyo dukkhaṁ nigacchati; Bewailing those whose time has come, Anutthunanto kālaṅkataṁ, you fall under the sway of grief. Sokassa vasamanvagū.

See, too, other folk departing, Aññepi passa gamine, passing on according to their deeds; Yathākammupage nare; fallen under the sway of death, Maccuno vasamāgamma, beings flounder while still here. Phandantevidha pāṇino.

For whatever you imagine it is, Yena yena hi maññanti, it turns out to be something else. Tato taṁ hoti aññathā; Such is separation: Etādiso vinābhāvo, see the way of the world! Passa lokassa pariyāyaṁ.

Even if a human lives Api vassasataṁ jīve, a hundred years or more, Bhiyyo vā pana māṇavo; they are parted from their family circle, Ñātisaṅghā vinā hoti, they leave this life behind. Jahāti idha jīvitaṁ.

Therefore, having learned from the Perfected One, Tasmā arahato sutvā, dispel lamentation. Vineyya paridevitaṁ; Seeing the dead and departed, think: Petaṁ kālaṅkataṁ disvā, “I cannot escape this.” Neso labbhā mayā iti.

As one would extinguish Yathā saraṇamādittaṁ, a blazing refuge with water, Vārinā parinibbaye; so too an attentive one—a wise, Evampi dhīro sapañño, astute, and skilled person—Paṇḍito kusalo naro; would swiftly blow away grief that comes up, Khippamuppatitaṁ sokaṁ, like the wind a tuft of cotton. Vāto tūlaṁva dhaṁsaye.

One who seeks their own happiness Paridevaṁ pajappañca, would pluck out the dart from themselves—Domanassañca attano; the wailing and moaning, Attano sukhamesāno, and sadness inside. Abbahe sallamattano.

With dart plucked out, unattached, Abbūḷhasallo asito, having found peace of mind, santiṁ pappuyya cetaso; overcoming all sorrow, Sabbasokaṁ atikkanto, one is sorrowless and quenched. asoko hoti nibbutoti.