Dhammapada, Dhamma Verses (KN 2)

22
Appamādavaggo
2. The Chapter about Heedfulness
Appamādo amatapadaṁ, pamādo maccuno padaṁ,
Heedfulness is the deathless state, heedlessness the state of the dead,
appamattā na mīyanti, ye pamattā yathā matā. [21]
the heedful do not die, (but) those who are heedless are as if dead.
Etaṁ visesato ñatvā appamādamhi paṇḍitā,
The wise, understanding this difference in regard to heedfulness,
appamāde pamodanti, Ar i yānaṁ gocare ratā. [22]
rejoice in heedfulness, delight in the domain of the Noble Ones.
Te jhāyino sātatikā, niccaṁ daḷhaparakkamā,
Those who meditate all the time, constant and firm in their effort,
phusanti dhīrā Nibbānaṁ, yogakkhemaṁ anuttaraṁ. [23]
those wise ones reach Nibbāna, the unsurpassed release from (all) bonds.
Uṭṭhānavato satīmato,
For he who is active, mindful,
sucikammassa nisammakārino,
pure in deeds, considerate,
saññatassa ca Dhammajīvino,
self-controlled, living by Dhamma,
appamattassa 1 yasobhivaḍḍhati. [24]
heedful, fame greatly increases.
Uṭṭhānen’ appamādena saṁyamena damena ca,
Through activity, heedfulness, through self-control and through restraint,
dīpaṁ kay i rātha medhāvī yaṁ ogho nābhikīrati. [25]
the sage should make an island that no flood waters can overcome.
1
The string of genitives in this verse allows us to see side by side some of the different forms the
case ending can take: -vato (neuter), -ato (neuter), -assa (masculine) and -ino (masculine).