Tirthankar Mahavira's admonition to his chief ascetic-disciple, Indrabhuti Gotam:

As the fallow leaf of the tree falls to the ground
when its days are gone,
even so the lives of men come to a close.
Gotam, be careful all the while!

As a dew-drop dangling from the tip of a
blade of kusha grass lasts but a short time,
even so the lives of men.
Gotam, be careful all the while!

A rare chance in the long course of time
is human birth for a living thing.
Hard are the consequences of action.
Gotam, be careful all the while!

Though one believes in the Law,
one will rarely practice it,
for people are engrossed in pleasures.
Gotam, be careful all the while!

When your body grows old,
and your hair turns white,
all your powers decrease.
Gotam, be careful all the while!....

Cast aside all your attachments
as the leaves of a lotus fall into the
autumnal water,exempt from every attachment.
Gotam, be careful all the while!

Leave your friends and relations,
the large fortune you have amassed.
Do not desire them a second time.
Gotam, be careful all the while!

Now you have entered the path cleared
of thorns,the great path,
walk the right path.
Gotam, be careful all the while!

You have crossed the great ocean,
why do you halt so near the shore?
Make haste to get to the other side.
Gotam, be careful all the while!

Going the same way as perfected saints,
you will reach the world of perfection, Gotam,
where there is safety and perfect happiness.
Gotam, be careful all the while!

Having heard the Omniscient One's well-delivered sermon,
adorned by illustrations, Gotam cut off love and hatred and (thereby)
reached perfection. Thus I say.

 

www.worldprayers.org