Verses urging one to rise from negligence, train steadfastly for the state of peace, and not waste the fleeting opportunity of the present moment. The teaching emphasizes the urgency of effort with the imagery of the afflicted pierced by a dart and the King of Death misleading one who remains negligent.

Uṭṭhāna sutta - Rise Up

Arouse yourselves, sit up!
What good to you is sleeping?
For what sleep can there be for the |afflicted::unhealthy, diseased [ātura]|,
for those suffering, pierced by the dart.

Arouse yourselves, sit up!
Steadfastly train for the state of peace.
Do not let the King of Death, knowing you as |negligent::inattentive, careless, intoxicated [pamatta]|,
deceive you and bring you under his sway.

That by which gods and humans,
bound, remain |desiring::seeking, wanting [atthika]|;
break free from this |entanglement::attachment [visattikā]|.
Let not the moment pass you by;
for those who let the moment pass, sorrow
when consigned to hell.

Negligence is defilement;
defilement follows upon negligence.
By |diligence::quality of wishing to do one’s work or duty well, with alertness, carefulness and care [appamāda]| and wisdom,
may one extract the dart from oneself.”

Last updated on May 2, 2025

CC0 License Button