जीवितांते च मरणं महाघोरमवाप्नुयात्
At the end of life, one attains a most terrible death.
देहभेदेन यः पुंसां वियोगः कर्मसंक्षयात्
The separation of a person's body occurs through the exhaustion of karma.
महातपप्रविष्टस्य च्छिद्यमानेषु मर्मसु 4.4.
For one who has entered great austerity, as the vital points are being severed—
हा तात मातः कांतेति रुदन्नेवं हि दुःखितः
He, afflicted, weeps, 'Alas, father! Mother! Beloved!'
बांधवैः संपरिष्वक्तः प्रियैः स परिवारितः
Embraced by relatives and surrounded by loved ones,
क्रन्दते चैव खट्वायां परिवर्तन्मुहुर्मुहुः
He cries out on the bed, turning again and again.
खट्वातो कांक्षते भूमिं भूमेः खट्वां पुनर्महीम्
From the bed he longs for the ground, and from the ground again for the bed.
याचमानश्च सलिलं शुष्ककण्ठोष्ठतालुकः
Begging for water, his throat, lips, and palate are parched.
पञ्चावटान्खन्यमानः कालपाशेन कर्षितः
As the five burial pits are being dug, he is dragged by the noose of time.
जीवस्तृणजलौकेव देहाद्देहं विशेत्क्रमात्
The soul, like a leech on grass or water, gradually enters from body to body.
मरणात्प्रार्थनादुःखमधिकं हि विवे किनः
The suffering from longing for death is indeed greater than death itself.
जगतां पतिरर्थित्वाद्विष्णुर्वामनतां गतः
The Lord of the worlds, for the sake of supplication, became Vāmana, Viṣṇu.
ज्ञातं मयेदमधुना मतं भवति यद्गुरु 4.4.
Now I have understood this, O revered one, as you have taught.
आदौ दुःखं तथा मध्ये दुःखमंते च दारुणम्
In the beginning there is suffering, likewise in the middle, and at the end, it is dreadful.
वर्तमानान्यतीतानि दुःखान्येतानि यानि तु
These sufferings, whether present or past, indeed exist.
अत्याहारान्महद्दुःखमनाहारान्महत्तमम्
From overeating comes great suffering; from not eating, the greatest suffering.
बुभुक्षा सर्वरोगाणां व्याधिः श्रेष्ठतमः स्मृतः
Hunger is remembered as the foremost disease among all ailments.
तद्रसोपि हि कामाद्वा जिह्वाग्रे परिवर्तते
That very taste, indeed, out of desire, turns upon the tip of the tongue.
इति क्षुद्व्याधितप्तानामन्नमौषधवत्स्मृतम्
Thus, for those afflicted by hunger and disease, food is remembered as medicine.
मृतोपमो यश्चेक्षेत सर्वकार्यविवर्जितः
One who appears as if dead, abstaining from all activity.
प्रबोधेऽपि कुतः सौख्यं कार्यैरुपहतात्मनः
Even upon awakening, how can there be happiness for one whose mind is obstructed by duties?
प्रातर्मूत्रपुरीषाभ्यां मध्याह्ने तु बुभुक्षया 4.4.
In the morning, by urine and feces; at midday, by hunger.
अर्थस्योपार्जने दुःखमर्जितस्यापि रक्षणे
There is suffering in acquiring wealth, and even in protecting what has been acquired.
चौरेभ्यः सलिलादग्नेः स्वजनात्पार्थिवादपि
From thieves, from water, from fire, from one's own people, and even from the king.
खे यातं पक्षिभिर्मांसं भक्ष्यते श्वापदैर्भुवि
What goes into the sky is eaten by birds; on earth, flesh is consumed by beasts.
विमोहयति संपत्सु तापयंति विपत्तिषु
It deludes in prosperity and torments in adversity.
यथार्थपतिरुद्विग्नो यश्च सर्वार्थनिःस्पृहः
Just as the master of wealth is anxious, so too is one who is indifferent to all possessions.
शीतेन दुःखं हेमंते ग्रीष्मे तापेन दारुणम्
There is suffering from cold in winter, and harsh torment from heat in summer.
विवाहविस्तरे दुःखं तद्गर्भोद्वहने पुनः
There is suffering in the elaborate process of marriage, and again in bearing pregnancy.
दन्ताक्षिरौगैः पुत्रस्य हा कष्टं किं करोम्यहम्
With the child's teething and milk, 'Alas, how hard it is! What can I do?'