Dhammapada 16.2.p5

16.2.p5

Imaṃ pañcakanipāte uragajātakaṃ vitthāretvā ‘‘evaṃ pubbe paṇḍitā piyaputte kālakate yathā etarahi tvaṃ kammante vissajjetvā nirāhāro rodanto vicarasi, tathā avicaritvā maraṇassatibhāvanābalena sokaṃ akatvā āhāraṃ paribhuñjiṃsu, kammantañca adhiṭṭhahiṃsu. Tasmā ‘piyaputto me kālakato’ti mā cintayi. Uppajjamāno hi soko vā bhayaṃ vā piyameva nissāya uppajjatī’’ti vatvā imaṃ gāthamāha –

When the Teacher had related in detail this Uraga Jātaka, found in the Fifth Book, he continued as follows, “In times past wise men did not do as you are doing on the death of a son. You have abandoned your wonted occupations, have deprived yourself of food, and spend your time in lamentation. Wise men of old did not so. On the contrary, they applied themselves diligently to meditation upon death, would not allow themselves to grieve, ate their food as usual, and attended to their wonted occupations. Therefore grieve not at the thought that your dear son is dead. For whether sorrow or fear arises, it arises solely because of one that is dear.” So saying, the Teacher pronounced the following Stanza,