One makes an effort where none’s due
with nothing done where effort’s due,
one grasps the dear, gives up the Quest
envying those who exert themselves.

Don’t consort with dear ones
at any time, nor those not dear,
‘is dukkha not to see the dear,
‘tis dukkha seeing those not dear.

Others then do not make dear
for hard’s the parting from them.
For whom there is no dear, undear
in them no bonds are found.

From endearment grief is born,
from endearment fear,
one who is endearment-free
has no grief - how fear.

From affection grief is born,
from affection fear,
one who is affection-free
has no grief - how fear?

From lustfulness arises grief,
from lustfulness springs fear,
one wholly free of lustfulness
has no grief - how fear?

From attachment grief is born,
from attachment fear,
one who is attachment-free
has no grief - how fear?

Out of craving grief is born,
out of craving fear,
one fully freed of craving
has no grief - how fear?

Perfect in virtue and insight,
firm in Dhamma, knower of Truth,
dear to the people’s such a one
who does what should be done.

One with a wish for the Undeclared,
with mind so well-pervaded,
a mind not bound in pleasures of sense,
an ‘upstream-goer’s’ called.

One who’s long away from home
returns in safety from afar,
then friends, well-wishers, kinsmen too
are overjoyed at his return.

In the same way, with merit done
when from this world to another gone
those merits then receive one there
as relatives a dear one come.