Māluṅkyaputta (1st)Mālukyaputtattheragāthā

When a man lives heedlessly,“Manujassa pamattacārino, craving grows in them like a camel’s foot creeper.Taṇhā vaḍḍhati māluvā viya; They jump from one thing to the next, like a langurSo plavatī hurā huraṁ, greedy for fruit in a forest grove.Phalamicchaṁva vanasmi vānaro.

Whoever is beaten by this wretched craving,Yaṁ esā sahate jammī, this attachment to the world,taṇhā loke visattikā; their sorrow grows,Sokā tassa pavaḍḍhanti, like grass in the rain.abhivaṭṭhaṁva bīraṇaṁ.

But whoever prevails over this wretched craving,Yo cetaṁ sahate jammiṁ, so hard to get over in the world,taṇhaṁ loke duraccayaṁ; their sorrows fall from them,Sokā tamhā papatanti, like a drop from a lotus-leaf.udabindūva pokkharā.

I say this to you, good people,Taṁ vo vadāmi bhaddaṁ vo, all those who have gathered here:yāvantettha samāgatā; dig up the root of craving,Taṇhāya mūlaṁ khaṇatha, as you’d dig up the grass in search of roots.usīratthova bīraṇaṁ; Don’t let Māra break you again and again,Mā vo naḷaṁva sotova, like a stream breaking a reed.māro bhañji punappunaṁ.

Act on the Buddha’s words,Karotha buddhavacanaṁ, don’t let the moment pass you by.khaṇo vo mā upaccagā; For if you miss your momentKhaṇātītā hi socanti, you’ll grieve when sent to hell.nirayamhi samappitā.

Negligence is always dust;Pamādo rajo pamādo, dust follows right behind negligence.pamādānupatito rajo; Through diligence and knowledge,Appamādena vijjāya, pluck out the dart from yourself.abbahe sallamattano”ti.