Book XVI. Objects Of Affection, Piya Vagga

209, 210, 211

He who abandons himself to the distractions of this world,
He who fails to apply himself to his religious duties,
He who abandons the real purpose of life, he who grasps at what is dear to him,
Such a man will come to envy him who applies himself to his religious duties.

Never abide in the company of those who are dear or of those who are not dear;
It is painful, both to be deprived of the sight of those who are dear, and to be obliged to look upon those who are not dear.

Therefore hold nothing dear; for the loss of what is dear is an evil.
Fetters exist not for those to whom naught is either dear or not dear.

212

From thought of one that is dear, arises sorrow;
From thought of one that is dear, arises fear.
He that is free from thought of dear ones neither sorrows nor fears.

213

From affection springs grief; from affection springs fear.
He that is free from affection neither sorrows nor fears.

214

From lust springs grief; from lust springs fear.
He that is free from lust neither sorrows nor fears.

215

From love springs sorrow; from love springs fear.
He that is free from love neither sorrows nor fears.

216

From desire springs sorrow; from desire springs fear.
He that is free from desire neither sorrows nor fears.

217

If a man possess the power to discern between good and evil,
If he abide steadfast in the Law, if he speak the truth,
If he perform faithfully his own duties, he will be held dear by the multitude.

218

If a man desire the Ineffable, if his heart thrill with desire for the Ineffable,
If his heart be free from attachment to the Five Lusts, he is called One Bound Up-stream.

219, 220

When a man who has long been absent, returns safely from afar,
Kinsfolk and friends and well-wishers greet him on his return.

Just so, when a man who has done good deeds goes from this world to the next,
The good deeds he has performed receive him even as kinsfolk receive a dear friend who has returned home.