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ARDHA-MAGADAT READER
thinking that the present moment is favourable for such intentions', he should be steadfast and not, even for an hour, carelessly conduct himself. His youth, his age, his life fade away.
A man who carelessly conducts himself, who killing, cutting, striking, destroying, chasing away, frightening living beings resolves to do what has not been done by any one-him his relations with whom he lived together, will first cherish, and he will after. wards cherish them. But they cannot help thee, nor canst thou help them or protect them (3).
Or he heaps up treasures for the benefit of some spendthrifts, by pinching himself. Then after a time, he falls in sickness ; those with whom he lives together will first leave him, and he will afterwards: leave them. They can not help thee or protect thee, nor canst thou help them or protect them (4)
Knowing pain and pleasure in all their variety, and seeing his life not yet decline, a wise man should know that to be the proper moment for entering a religious life; while the perceptions of his ear, eye, organs of smelling, tasting, touching are not yet deteriorated, while all these perceptions are not yet deteriorated, man should prosecute 3 the real end of his soul". Thus I say.
· Ayáramga, Vol 1, Chap. I, lesson I.
1. i o. his present life ; for the birth in áry a kshetra and in a noble family is difficult to obtain in this Samsára.
2. Patteyam, singly with regard to the living beings..
3. Samanuvasej jási (tti bemi, is taken by the commentators for the second person, which always occurs before tti bemi, but nowhere else. I think si belongs to tti bemi, and stands for 86 Skt. asau 'that.' 4. Vis, control.
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