Heedfulness
21
Heedfulness is the path to the Deathless.
Heedlessness is the path to death.
The heedful die not.
The heedless are as if dead already.*
22
Clearly understanding
this excellence of heedfulness,
the wise exult therein and enjoy the resort
of the Noble Ones. **
23
The wise ones, ever meditative
and steadfastly persevering,
alone experience Nibbana,
the incomparable freedom
from bondage.
24
Ever grows the glory of him
who is energetic, mindful
and pure in conduct,
discerning and self-controlled,
righteous and heedful.
25
By effort and heedfulness,
discipline and self-mastery,
let the wise one make for himself
an island which no flood can overwhelm.
26
The foolish and ignorant
indulge in heedlessness,
but the wise one keeps his heedfulness
as his best treasure.
27
Do not give way to heedlessness.
Do not indulge in sensual pleasures.
Only the heedful and meditative
attain great happiness.
28
Just as one upon the summit
of a mountain
beholds the groundings,
even so when the wise man
casts away heedlessness
by heedfulness
and ascends
the high tower of wisdom,
this sorrowless sage beholds
the sorrowing and foolish
multitude.
29
Heedful among the heedless,
wide-awake among the sleepy,
the wise man advances
like a swift horse
leaving behind a weak jade.
30
By heedfulness did Indra (Ruler of the gods in ancient indian mythology)
become the overlord of the gods.
Heedfulness is ever praised,
and heedlessness ever despised.
31
The monk who delights
in heedfulness
and looks with fear at heedlessness
advances like fire,
burning all fetters small and large.
32
The monk who delights
in heedfulness
and looks with fear at heedlessness
will not fall.
He is close to Nibbana.
*The Deathless (amata)
Nibbana is deathless because those who attain it are free from the cycle of repeated birth and death.
** The Noble Ones (ariya)
Those who have reached any of the four stages of supramundane attainment leading irreversibly to Nibbana. The resort (gocara) of the Noble Ones are the 37 Requisites of Enlightenment (Bhodipakkhiya dhamma).
