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

SN 1.68 Fastened Shut

“Kenassu pihito loko,
kismiṁ loko patiṭṭhito;
Kenassu uḍḍito loko,
kenassu parivārito”ti.

“Maccunā pihito loko,
dukkhe loko patiṭṭhito;
Taṇhāya uḍḍito loko,
jarāya parivārito”ti.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Kenassu pihito loko,

“By what is the world fastened shut?

kismiṁ loko patiṭṭhito;

On what is the world grounded?

Kenassu uḍḍito loko,

By what is the world ensnared?

kenassu parivārito”ti.

By what is it surrounded?”

“Maccunā pihito loko,

“The world is fastened shut by mortality.

dukkhe loko patiṭṭhito;

The world is grounded on suffering.

Taṇhāya uḍḍito loko,

Craving has ensnared the world.

jarāya parivārito”ti.

It’s surrounded by old age.”