Pavàtadãpatulyàya, ~ sàyusantatiyà khayaü,
Comparing a lamp in a breeze, ~ and the destruction of the life continuum,

paråpamàya sampassaü ~ bhàvaye maraõassatiü. [1]
seeing oneself as similar to others ~ one should develop mindfulness of death.

 

Mahàsampattisampattà ~ yathà sattà matà idha,
Just as people who have attained great good fortune here have died,

tathà ahaü marissàmi ~ maraõaü mama hessati. [2]
in the same way will I die ~ death is (surely) coming to me.

 

Uppattiyà sahevedaü ~ maraõaü àgataü sadà,
Indeed death always comes along with that which has arisen,

maraõatthàya okàsaü ~ vadhako viya esati. [3]
it is like a murderer who is seeking an opportunity to kill.

 

äsakaü anivattaü taü ~ satataü gamanussukaü,
^o This life is slowly, without turning back, continually, eagerly,

jãvitaü udayà atthaü ~ suriyo viya dhàvati. [4]
going its way, it rises and falls ~ just as the sun runs its course (and sets).

 

Vijjububbulaussàva, ~ jalaràjã parikkhayaü,
(Like) lightning, a bubble, dew, ~ a line drawn on water, life (quickly goes to) destruction,

ghàtako varipåtassa ~ sabbatthà pi avàriyo. [5]
like an executioner in regard to his rival ~ (death) can never be constrained.

 

Suyasatthàmapuÿÿiddhã ~ buddhivuddhã Jinadvayaü,
Even the two kinds of Victors, who are famous, strong, meritorious, powerful, and of great intelligence,

ghàtesi maraõaü khippaü, ~ kà tu màdisake kathà? [6]
were quickly slaughtered by death, ~ so what to say about one like me?

 

Paccayànaÿ-ca vekalyà ~ bàhirajjhattupaddavà,
When conditions fail ~ there are internal and external adversities,

maràmoraü nimesà pi ~ maramàno anukkhaõan-ti. [7]
dying at each and every moment I will die in less (time) than a blink of an eye.

Bhàvetvà caturàrakkhà ~ àvajjeyya anantaraü
Having developed these four protections ~ one should consider next

mahàsaüvegavatthåni, ~ aññha aññhitavãriyo. [1]
the eight great bases for urgency, having non-stop energy.

 

Jàtijaràvyàdhicutã apàyà, atãta-appattakavaññadukkhaü,
Birth, old age, sickness, death, the lower realms, the past and future suffering in the round,

idàni àhàragaveññhidukkhaü - saüvegavatthåni imàni aññha. [2]
the suffering in having to seek food in the present - these are the eight bases for urgency.

 

Pàto ca sàyamapi ceva imaü vidhiÿÿo,
If, in the morning and in the evening, one who knows the way,

àsevate satatamatta hitàbhilàsi,
who desires his own benefit, practises (these meditations) continually,

pappoti so ti vipulaü hata pàripantho,
^o then after destroying (even) extensive obstacles, that sage

seññhaü sukhaü muni visiññhamataü sukhena càti. [3]
easily attains great happiness, and the distinction of the deathless.