Khuddakanikāya Dhammapada Jarāvagga Visākhāyasahāyikānaṁvatthu Ko nu hāso kimānando, niccaṁ pajjalite sati; Andhakārena onaddhā, padīpaṁ na gavesatha.

The Chapter on Old Age

What is the laughter, what is the joy, when the world is ever burning? Shrouded in darkness, why do you not seek the light?

Sirimāvatthu Passa cittakataṁ bimbaṁ, arukāyaṁ samussitaṁ; Āturaṁ bahusaṅkappaṁ, yassa natthi dhuvaṁ ṭhiti.

Behold this painted image, a body full of sores, Diseased, full of many thoughts, in which there is no permanence.

Uttarātherīvatthu Parijiṇṇamidaṁ rūpaṁ, roganīḷaṁ pabhaṅguraṁ; Bhijjati pūtisandeho, maraṇantañhi jīvitaṁ.

This body is worn out, a nest of diseases, fragile, This foul mass breaks up, for life ends in death.

These white bones, like gourds thrown away in autumn, What delight is there in seeing them?

Sambahulaadhimānikabhikkhuvatthu Yānimāni apatthāni, alābūneva sārade; Kāpotakāni aṭṭhīni, tāni disvāna kā rati.

A city of bones is made, plastered with flesh and blood, Wherein dwell old age and death, pride and deceit.

Janapadakalyāṇīrūpanandātherīvatthu Aṭṭhīnaṁ nagaraṁ kataṁ, maṁsalohitalepanaṁ; Yattha jarā ca maccu ca, māno makkho ca ohito.

The splendid chariots of kings wear out, And so does the body decay; But the Dhamma of the good does not decay, Thus the noble ones declare to the noble.

Mallikādevīvatthu Jīranti ve rājarathā sucittā, Atho sarīrampi jaraṁ upeti; Satañca dhammo na jaraṁ upeti, Santo have sabbhi pavedayanti.

This man of little learning grows old like an ox; His flesh increases, but not his wisdom.

Lāḷudāyītheravatthu Appassutāyaṁ puriso, balībaddhova jīrati; Maṁsāni tassa vaḍḍhanti, paññā tassa na vaḍḍhati.

Through many a birth I wandered in saṁsāra, seeking but not finding, The builder of this house.

Udānavatthu Anekajātisaṁsāraṁ, sandhāvissaṁ anibbisaṁ; Gahakāraṁ gavesanto, dukkhā jāti punappunaṁ.

Sorrowful is repeated birth. O house-builder, you are seen! You shall build no house again.

Gahakāraka diṭṭhosi, puna gehaṁ na kāhasi; Sabbā te phāsukā bhaggā, gahakūṭaṁ visaṅkhataṁ; Visaṅkhāragataṁ cittaṁ, taṇhānaṁ khayamajjhagā.

All your rafters are broken, your ridgepole is shattered. My mind has attained the unconditioned; Achieved is the end of craving.

Mahādhanaseṭṭhiputtavatthu Acaritvā brahmacariyaṁ, aladdhā yobbane dhanaṁ; Jiṇṇakoñcāva jhāyanti, khīṇamaccheva pallale.

Having not lived the holy life, nor gained wealth in youth, They waste away like old herons in a pond without fish.

Acaritvā brahmacariyaṁ, aladdhā yobbane dhanaṁ; Senti cāpātikhīṇāva, purāṇāni anutthunaṁ. Jarāvaggo ekādasamo.

Having not lived the holy life, nor gained wealth in youth, They lie like worn-out bows, lamenting the past.