Four things of paramount value are difficult to obtain here by a living being: human life, instruction in the Law, belief in it, and energy in self-control. (1)

I. The world is peopled by manifold creatures, who are placed in different families and callings, and are judged by the various actions they have done. (2)

Some go to the angels' realm, some to the hells, some fall among the rebellious spirits, in accordance with their actions. (3)

Some are Kshattriyas, some are Chandalas and Bukkasas; the callings of men differ, and the noblest before God is the most righteous. (4)

Thus living beings of sinful actions, who go on and on in ever-repeated transgression, are not disgusted with worldly life, but are like warriors never tired of the battle of life. (5)

Living beings bewildered through the influence of their actions, distressed and suffering pains, undergo misery. (6)

But by the wiping out of sins through repentance, perchance, living beings will reach in due time a pure state, and be guided as men. (7)

II. And though they be created as men, it will be difficult for them to hear the Law, having heard which they will do penances, combat their passions and abstain from killing living beings. (8)

III. And though, by chance, they may hear the Law, it will be difficult for them to believe in it; many who are shown the right way, stray from it. (9)

IV. And though they have heard the Law and believe in it, it is difficult for them to fulfil it strenuously; many who approve of the religion, do not adopt it. (10)

Having been created as a man, having heard the Law, believing in it, and fulfilling it strenuously, an ascetic should restrain himself and shake off sinfulness. (11)

The pious obtain purity, and the pure stand firmly in the Law: the soul afterwards reaches the highest peace of salvation, shining like a fire fed with ghee. (12)

Leave off the causes of sin, acquire fame through patience! A man who acts up to this will rise to the upper regions after having left this body of clay. (13)

The righteous, who are gifted with various virtues, live in the heavenly regions situated one above the other, shining forth like the great luminaries, and hoping never to depart thence. (14)

Intent on enjoying the pleasures of the Garden, they live in the upper regions for many ages. (15)

Men are often kings. (16)

Fields and houses, gold, cattle, slaves and servants: where these four goods, the causes of pleasure, are present, the righteous are sometimes blessed with them. (17)

He will have friends and relations, be of good family, of fine complexion, healthy, wise, noble, famous, and powerful. (18)

After having enjoyed, at their proper time, the unrivalled pleasures of human life, he will obtain true knowledge by his pure religious merit. (19)

Perceiving that the four requisites are difficult to obtain, he will apply himself to self-control, and when by penances he has shaken off the remnant of his sins, he will attain salvation. (20)

Thus I say.