Seeing with insight all existence as impermanent, when indeed will this be for me?"

Having killed lust and hate and likewise delusion, dwell happily, gone to the wilds.

Free from fear, dwell alone in the forest - when indeed will that be?"

Having cut the creeper of craving, the producer of fear, the bringer of suffering, the follower of manifold things, when will that be when I shall dwell?"

Shall I forcibly crush Māra together with his army - when indeed will that be on the lion's seat?"

By those who see things as they really are, by those with conquered faculties, when indeed will that be for one who strives?"

Not afflict me in that mountain cave, when indeed will that be for one seeking one's own welfare?"

With concentrated mind, mindful, I shall approach, when indeed will that be for me through wisdom?"

As burning, endowed with serenity - when indeed will this be for me?"

And also when praised, on that account not be satisfied - when indeed will this be for me?

Both internal and external - when indeed will this be for me?"

Going on the path trodden by sages, when indeed will that be?"

Having risen for the attainment of the Deathless, I shall reflect - when indeed will this be?"

Not clinging, I would cross over by supernormal power, when indeed will that terrifying thing be?"

Abandoning every sign of the beautiful, engaged in meditative absorption - when indeed will that be?"

Will I be satisfied, having attained the teaching of the great sage, when indeed will that be?"

Now that I have gone forth, why, O mind, do you not apply yourself?

Roaring with the thunder of the great Indra's sound, they will delight you, the meditator in the forest.

Having abandoned all, I have come to this, yet even so you, mind, are not satisfied with me.

Seeing all this as unstable, I went forth, desiring the state of the Deathless.

'The mind is unsteady, resembling a monkey, thus it is very difficult to restrain by one not free from lust.'

They desire suffering, seekers of rebirth, led by the mind, cast into hell, rejected.

Give up longing for the body, do not fail,' thus you, O mind, formerly urged me.

And experience the three true knowledges in the Buddha's teaching,' thus you, O mind, formerly urged me.

The eightfold, the cleanser of all mental defilements,' thus you, O mind, formerly urged me.

Right here make an end of suffering," thus you, O mind, formerly urged me.

Keep in check the mental examinations of the mind," thus you, O mind, formerly urged me.

Engage in the word of the Teacher, the great sage,' thus you, O mind, formerly urged me.

Like the moon on a moonlit full-moon night,' thus you, O mind, formerly urged me.

Be one who remains sitting, always delighting in the austere practices,' thus you, O mind, formerly urged me.

You make this mind like that, in that you engage me in the impermanent, in the unstable.

For sensual pleasures are painful, bitter, of great peril, I shall live intent only upon Nibbāna.

And not because of livelihood did I go forth, and a promise was made by me to you, O mind.

Thus you, O mind, formerly urged me, now you go to former habits.

Agreeable types of sensual pleasure have been vomited out, what has been vomited out I do not endeavour to swallow back.

Arisen within, due to your ingratitude, in suffering long I have wandered, caused by you.

And we become merchants and workers at one time, or even divinity is owing to you alone.

And also we become animals at one time, or even ghosthood is owing to you alone.

You entice me as if with a madman, yet what, O mind, has been failed by me?"

That today I shall restrain wisely, like a goad-holder a furious elephant.

Plunge me, O mind, into the Conqueror's Dispensation, help me cross the great mental floods so very difficult to escape from.

I have gone forth in the Dispensation of the great sage, those like me are not bearers of destruction.

All impermanent, the three existences troubled - where gone, O mind, will you delight in happiness?

I will never touch the bellows with openings at both ends, shame on that which is full, flowing with nine streams.

In the forest sprinkled with fresh water by the rains, there, having gone to a cave-dwelling, you will delight.

Roaring with the thunder of sweet, charming sounds, they will delight you, the meditator in the forest.

In the space between mountains I shall lie down like a tree, that will be soft for me, resembling cotton.

I shall not drag it as one who is not lazy, like a bellows well-kneaded.

By energy I shall bring that under my control, like an intoxicated elephant by a skilled goad-holder.

I am able to proceed along the safe path, always frequented by those who guard the mind.

You, well guarded by me, well developed through mindfulness, will become independent in all existences.

Having seen the origin and the non-existence and the coming into being, you will become an heir of the foremost teacher.

Should you not associate with the compassionate great sage, the cutter of the bonds of fetters?

There on that unconfused mountain I shall delight, without doubt, O mind, you will be overcome.

The foolish, following Māra's control, delighting in existence, O mind, are your disciples."