ßKenassu nivuto loko? icc-àyasmà Ajito,
ßBy what is the world enveloped? said venerable Ajita,

Kenassu nappakàsati?
Why does it not become clear?

Kissàbhilepanaü bråsi?   Kiü su tassa mahabbhayaü?û [57 (1032) 11]
What do you say is its defilement? What is (the world's) great fear?û

 

ßAvijjàya nivuto loko, Ajità ti Bhagavà,
ßThe world is enveloped by ignorance, Ajita, said the Gracious One,

vevicchà pamàdà nappakàsati.
because of heedlessness and meanness it does not become clear.

Jappàbhilepanaü bråmi   dukkham-assa mahabbhayaüû [58 (1033) 12]
Hunger⁰¹ is its defilement, I say; suffering is (the world's) great fear.û

 

ßSavanti sabbadhi sotà, icc-àyasmà Ajito,
ßStreams are flowing everywhere,⁰² said venerable Ajita,

sotànaü kiü nivàraõaü?
what is the constraint for streams?

Sotànaü saüvaraü bråhi,   kena sotà pithiyyare?û [59 (1034) 13]
Tell me the restraint for streams; by what are the streams shut off?û

 

ßYàni sotàni lokasmiü, Ajità ti Bhagavà,
ßWhatever streams there are in the world, Ajita, said the Gracious One,

sati tesaü nivàraõaü.
mindfulness is the constraint for them.

Sotànaü saüvaraü bråmi,   paÿÿày' ete pithiyyare.û [60 (1035) 14]
That is the restraint for streams, I say; by wisdom they are shut off.û

 

ßPaÿÿà c' eva sati càpi, icc-àyasmà Ajito,
ßWisdom and also mindfulness, said venerable Ajita,

nàmaråpaÿ-ca màrisa,
and mind and body, dear Sir,

etaü me puññhÖ pabråhi:   katth' etaü uparujjhati?û [61 (1036) 15]
please tell me this when asked: where does this cease?û

 

ßYam-etaü paÿhaü apucchi   Ajita taü vadàmi te!
ßThis question that was asked, Ajita, I can answer it!

Yattha nàmaÿ-ca råpaÿ-ca   asesaü uparujjhati:
As to where mind and body ceases without remainder:

viÿÿàõassa nirodhena,   etth' etaü uparujjhati.û [62 (1037) 16]
with the cessation of consciousness,⁰³ in this place it ceases.û

 

ßYe ca saïkhàtadhammàse,   ye ca sekhà puthå idha,
ßThose who have discerned the Teaching, and the many in training here,⁰⁴

tesaü me nipako irⁱyaü   puññho pabråhi màrisa.û [63 (1038) 17]
when I ask the prudent one, please tell me their conduct, dear Sir.û

 

ßKàmesu nàbhigijjheyya,   manasànàvilo siyà.
ßHe should not be greedy for sense pleasures, or be disturbed in mind.

Kusalo sabbadhammànaü   sato bhikkhu paribbajeû ti. [64 (1039) 18]
Skilful in all things, the monk should wander mindfully.û⁰⁵