A deity engages the Buddha in verse on beaten down, exploring a teaching on suffering, liberation, and the law of kamma.

SN 1.66 Beaten Down

“Kenassubbhāhato loko,
kenassu parivārito;
Kena sallena otiṇṇo,
kissa dhūpāyito sadā”ti.

“Maccunābbhāhato loko,
jarāya parivārito;
Taṇhāsallena otiṇṇo,
icchādhūpāyito sadā”ti.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Kenassubbhāhato loko,

“By what is the world beaten down?

kenassu parivārito;

By what is it surrounded?

Kena sallena otiṇṇo,

What dart has laid it low?

kissa dhūpāyito sadā”ti.

With what is it always fuming?”

“Maccunābbhāhato loko,

“The world is beaten down by death.

jarāya parivārito;

It’s surrounded by old age.

Taṇhāsallena otiṇṇo,

The dart of craving has laid it low.

icchādhūpāyito sadā”ti.

It’s always fuming with desire.”