GEMSTONES OF THE GOOD DHAMMA – PART 13: VAYAMAVAGGA – EFFORT

116. Pamado rajo pamada
pamadanupatito rajo
appamadena vijjaya
abbulhe sallam attano.

Indolence is dust;
dust comes in the wake of indolence.
With knowledge and vigilance
draw out the arrow from yourself.

117. Niddasili sabhasili
anutthata ca yo naro
alaso kodhapannano
tam parabhavato mukham.

When one loves company and sleep,
when one is lax and slack,
when one is often given to anger —
this is a source of suffering.

118. Samvaro ca pahanam ca
bhavana anurakkhana
ete padhana cattaro
desitadiccabandhuno.

The effort to restrain, to abandon,
to develop and to maintain:
these are the four exertions
taught by the Kinsman of the Sun.

119. Utthahatha nisidatha
no attho supitena vo?
aturanam hi ka nidda
sallaviddhana ruppatam?

Arise! Sit up! Of what use
are your dreams? How can you
continue to sleep when you are sick,
pierced with the arrow of grief?

120. Amogham divasam kayira
appena bahukena va
yam yam vijahate rattim
tadunan tassa jivitam.

Make your day productive
whether by little or by much.
Every day and night that passes,
your life is that much less.

121. Yo dandhakale dandheti
taraniye ca taraye
yoniso samvidhanena
sukham pappoti pandito.

The wise one who hurries when
hurrying is needed and who slows down
when slowness is needed, is happy
because his priorities are right.

122. Araddhaviriye pahitatte
niccam dalhaparakkame
samagge savake passa
esa budhana vandana.

See the disciples in perfect harmony,
resolute and making effort,
always firm in their progress —
this is the best worship of the Buddha.

123. Niddam tandim vijambhikam
aratim bhattasammadam
viriyena nam panametva
ariyamaggo visujjhati.

Sloth, torpor and drowsiness,
boredom and heaviness after meals —
by expelling these with energy
the noble path is purified.

124. Saddhaya tarati ogham
appamadena annavam
viriyena dukkham acceti
paññaya parisujjhati.

The flood is crossed by faith,
by vigilance the sea is crossed,
pain is overcome with vigor
by wisdom one is purified.

125. Ujumaggamhi akkhate
gacchatha ma nivattatha
attana coday’attanam
nibbanam abhiharaye.

The straight path has been clearly shown:
walk forward and don’t turn back.
Urge yourself onwards by yourself;
in that way attain Nibbana.