1At Rājagaha. Standing to one side, the god Uttara recited this verse in the Buddha’s presence:

2“This life, so very short, is led onward.
There’s no shelter for one led on by old age.
Seeing this peril in death,
do good deeds that bring happiness.”

3“This life, so very short, is led onward.
There’s no shelter for one led on by old age.
Seeing this peril in death,
a seeker of peace would drop the world’s bait.”

1Rājagahanidānaṁ. Ekamantaṁ ṭhito kho uttaro devaputto bhagavato santike imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi: 

2"Upanīyati jīvitamappamāyu,
Jarūpanītassa na santi tāṇā;
Etaṁ bhayaṁ maraṇe pekkhamāno,
Puññāni kayirātha sukhāvahānī"ti.

3"Upanīyati jīvitamappamāyu,
Jarūpanītassa na santi tāṇā;
Etaṁ bhayaṁ maraṇe pekkhamāno,
Lokāmisaṁ pajahe santipekkho"ti.