Udāna 17

Heartfelt Sayings 2.7

An Only Son

1 So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Now at that time a certain lay follower’s dear and beloved only child passed away.

2 Then in the middle of the day several lay followers with wet clothes and hair went up to the Buddha, bowed, and sat down to one side. The Buddha said to them: “Why, lay followers, have you come here in the middle of the day with wet clothes and hair?”

3 The lay follower replied, “Sir, my dear and beloved only child has passed away. That’s why we came here in the middle of the day with wet clothes and hair.”

4 Then, understanding this matter, on that occasion the Buddha expressed this heartfelt sentiment:

5 “Hosts of gods and most human beings are bound

to what seems dear and pleasant.

Gloomy and exhausted,

they fall under the sway of the King of Death.

6 The diligent, who day and night

give up what seems pleasant,

dig out the root of gloom—

Death’s bait so hard to escape.”