Samnyasa Upanishads: Hindu Scriptures on Asceticism and Renunciation c5.s2.t6.41

c5.s2.t6.41

Dost thou not note the circling flight
Of those still robbers, day and night,
With stealthy tread which hurrying past
Steal all our lives away at last? . . .
No moment lose; in serious mood
Begin at once to practise good;
Tomorrow's task today conclude;
The evening's work complete at noon;
No duty can be done too soon.
Who knows whom death may seize tonight,
And who shall see the morning light?
And death will never stop to ask,
If thou has done or not, thy task.
While yet a youth, from folly cease;
Through virtue seek for calm and peace. . . .
And then thou say'st that I should wed
And sons should gain to tend me dead
By offering pious gifts, to seal,
When I am gone, my spirit's weal.
But I shall ask no pious zeal
Of sons to guard my future weal.
No child of mine shall ever boast
His rites have saved his father's ghost
Of mine own bliss I'll pay the price
And be myself my sacrifice⁴⁰