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BOOK 2, LECTURE I.
349
'Or some painful illness or disease, unwished for, (&c., all down to) not at all pleasant might befall my dear relations. I will take upon me this painful illness or disease, &c., that they may not suffer, (all down to) undergo great pain. I will deliver them from this painful illness or disease.' But this desire of his has never yet been fulfilled. For one man cannot take upon himself the pains of another; one man cannot experience what another has done 1. (40)
C
Individually a man is born, individually he dies, individually he falls (from this state of existence), individually he rises (to another) 2. His passions 3, consciousness, intellect, perceptions, and impressions belong to the individual exclusively. Here, indeed, the bonds of relationship are not able to help nor save one. (All as in § 38 down to the end; substitute bonds of relationship' for 'pleasures and amusements.') (41)
There are things more intimately connected with me, viz. my hands, feet, arms, legs, head, belly, character, life, strength, colour, skin, complexion, ear, eye, nose, tongue, and touch; they are part and parcel of me. But I grow old with regard to life, strength, (all down to) touch. The strong joints become loose, the body is furrowed with wrinkles, the black hair turns white, even this dear body which has grown with food, must be relinquished in due time.
1 I.e. his Karman.
2 According to the commentators the last two passages should be translated: 'individually he leaves (his possessions, &c.), individually he is joined (to them).—
3 Ghangha-kalaha.
