Standing to one side, the godling Nanda spoke this verse in the Buddha’s presence:
Ekamantaṁ ṭhito kho nando devaputto bhagavato santike imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi:
“Time flies, nights pass by, the stages of life leave us one by one. Seeing this peril in death, do good deeds that bring you joy.”
“Accenti kālā tarayanti rattiyo, Vayoguṇā anupubbaṁ jahanti; Etaṁ bhayaṁ maraṇe pekkhamāno, Puññāni kayirātha sukhāvahānī”ti.
“Time flies, nights pass by, the stages of life leave us one by one. Seeing this peril in death, a seeker of peace would drop the world’s bait.”
“Accenti kālā tarayanti rattiyo, Vayoguṇā anupubbaṁ jahanti; Etaṁ bhayaṁ maraṇe pekkhamāno, Lokāmisaṁ pajahe santipekkho”ti.
