From:
Patna Dharmapada Patna Dhammapada
2. Apramāda 2. The Chapter about Heedfulness
apramādo amatapadaṁ pramādo maccuno padaṁ । Heedfulness is the deathless state, heedlessness the state of the dead,
apramattā na mrīyanti ye pramattā yathā matā ।। the heedful do not die, but those who are heedless are as if dead.
etaṁ viśeṣataṁ nyāttā apramādamhi paṇḍitā । The wise, understanding this difference in regard to heedfulness,
apramāde pramodanti ayirāṇāṁ gocare ratā ।। rejoice in heedfulness, delight in the domain of the Noble Ones.
te jhāyino sātatikā niccaṁ dṛḍhaparākramā । Those who meditate all the time, constant and firm in their effort,
phusanti dhīrā nibbāṇaṁ yogacchemaṁ anuttaraṁ ।। those wise ones reach Nibbāna, the unsurpassed release from all bonds.
pramādam anuyuñjanti bālā dummedhino janā । The foolish and stupid people cultivate heedlessness,
apramādan tu medhāvī dhanaṁ śreṣṭhaṁ va rakkhati ।। but the sagacious one guards heedfulness just as his greatest wealth.
apramatto pramattesu suttesu bahujāgaro । Heedful amongst the heedless ones, wakeful amongst the ones who sleep,
abalāśśam va śīghrāśśo hettā yāti sumedhaso ।। like a swift horse who abandons a weak horse, the true sage moves on.
pramādam apramādena yadā nudati paṇḍito । When the wise one eliminates heedlessness with his heedfulness,
praṁñāprāsādam āruyha aśoko śokiniṁ prajāṁ । and mounts the palace of wisdom, griefless, he looks on grieving people;
parvvataṭṭho va bhoma ’ṭṭhe dhīro bāle avecchati ।। the wise one, like one standing on a mountain, looks down on the fools who are standing on the plains.
pūrvve cāpi pramajjittā yo pacchā na pramajjati । Whoever before was heedless, but later is not heedless,
so imaṁ lokaṁ prabhāseti abhramutto va candramā ।। that one shines brightly in this world like the moon released from a cloud.
pūrvve cāpi pramajjittā yo pacchā na pramajjati । Whoever before was heedless, but later is not heedless,
so imāṁ visattikāṁ loke sato samativattati ।। he, being mindful, can overcome clinging to the world.
apramādagaru bhikkhū pramāde bhayadaṁśino । A monastic who values heedfulness, seeing danger in heedlessness,
abhavvo parihāṇāya nibbāṇasseva santike ।। is unable to fall away: he is well-nigh to Nibbāna.
apramādagaru bhikkhū pramāde bhayadaṁśino A monastic who values heedfulness, seeing danger in heedlessness,
saṁyojanam aṇutthūlaṁ dahaṁ aggīva gacchati । advances like burning fire against the fetter, small or large.
apramādaratā hotha saṁ cittam anurakkhatha ।। You should delight in heedfulness, you should always protect your mind,
duggā uddharathāttānaṁ pake sanno va kuñjaro । you should raise yourself from this pit like the tusker sunk in the mud.
apramāde pramudino nipakā śīlasaṁvṛtā ।। Rejoicing in heedfulness, prudent, restrained in virtue,
te ve kālena prācchanti yattha prātto na śocati । in good time they attain that where, once attained, there is no grieving.
mā pramāde pramodetha na kāmaratisandhave ।। Do not rejoice in heedlessness, unacquainted with delight in sensual pleasure,
evaṁ viharan ātāpī śāntacitto ’nuddhato । living in this way, ardent, with mind at peace, not proud,
cetośamatham anuyutto dukkhassantakaro siyā ।। devoted to mental calm, he will make an end to suffering.
uṭṭheyā na pramajjeyā dhammaṁ sucaritaṁ care । One should strive, not be heedless, one should live by Dhamma, with good conduct,
dhammacārī sukhaṁ śeti aśśiṁ loke paramhi ca ।। living by Dhamma one lives at ease in this world and the next.
uṭṭhāṇavato satīmato śucikammassa niśāmmakāriṇo । For he who is active, mindful, pure in deeds, considerate,
saṁyyatassa ca dhammajīvino apramattassa yaśo ’ssa vaddhati ।। self-controlled, living by Dhamma, heedful, his fame increases.
uṭṭhāṇenā ’pramādena saṁyyamena damena ca । Through activity, heedfulness, through self-control and through restraint,
dīpaṁ kayirātha medhāvī yam ogho nādhipūrati ।। the sage should make an island that no flood waters can overwhelm.
uṭṭhāṇakālamhi anuṭṭhihāno yuvā balī ālasiko upoko । The one who has not energy at a time for energy, youthful, strong, lazy in his home,
saṁsannasaṁkappamano kusīdo praṁñāya māggaṁ alaso na yeti ।। whose mind lacks right intention and is indolent—the lazy one does not go along wisdom’s path.
hīnaṁ dhammaṁ na seveyā pramādena na samvase । One should not follow lowly things, one should not abide heedlessly,
micchadṛṣṭiṁ na seveyā na siyā lokavaddhano ।। one should not follow a wrong view, one should not foster worldliness.
na tāvatā dhammadharo yāvatā bahu bhāṣati । One is not a Dhamma-bearer merely through speaking much,
yo tu appam pi sottāna dhammaṁ kāyena phassaye । but the one who, having heard a little, would see Dhamma for himself,
sa ve dhammadharo hoti yo dhamme na pramajjati ।। is one who bears Dhamma, the one who is not heedless regarding Dhamma.
dhammaṁ vicinātha apramattā mā vo kāmaguṇā bhrameṁsu cittaṁ । Consider the Dhamma heedfully, do not let your mind swirl around in strands of desire,
mā lohaguḍe gilaṁ pramatto kraṇḍe dukkham idan ti dayhamāno ।। do not, heedless, swallow a hot iron ball, and, while burning, cry: ‘This is suffering.’
Apramādavarggaḥ The Chapter about Heedfulness