Verses urging one to rise from negligence, train steadfastly for the state of peace, and not waste the fleeting opportunity of the present moment. The teaching emphasizes the urgency of effort with the imagery of the afflicted pierced by a dart and the King of Death misleading one who remains negligent.

SNP 2.10  Uṭṭhāna sutta - Rise Up

Uṭṭhahatha nisīdatha,
ko attho supitena vo;
Āturānañhi niddā,
sallaviddhāna ruppataṁ.

Arouse yourselves, sit up!
What good to you is sleeping?
For what sleep can there be for the |afflicted::unhealthy, diseased [ātura]|,
for those suffering, pierced by the dart.

Uṭṭhahatha nisīdatha,
Daḷhaṁ sikkhatha santiyā;
vo pamatte viññāya,
Maccurājā amohayittha vasānuge.

Arouse yourselves, sit up!
Steadfastly train for the state of peace.
Do not let the King of Death, knowing you as |negligent::inattentive, careless, intoxicated [pamatta]|,
deceive you and bring you under his sway.

Yāya devā manussā ca,
sitā tiṭṭhanti atthikā;
Tarathetaṁ visattikaṁ,
khaṇo vo upaccagā;
Khaṇātītā hi socanti,
nirayamhi samappitā.

That by which gods and humans,
bound, remain |desiring::seeking, wanting [atthika]|;
break free from this |entanglement::attachment [visattikā]|.
Let not the moment pass you by;
for those who let the moment pass, sorrow
when consigned to hell.

Pamādo rajo pamādo,
Pamādānupatito rajo;
Appamādena vijjāya,
Abbahe sallamattanoti.

Negligence is defilement,
defilement arises from negligence;
By |diligence::quality of wishing to do one’s work or duty well, with alertness, carefulness and care [appamāda]| and wisdom,
may one extract the dart from oneself.”

Topics & Qualities:

Diligence

Diligence

The protective quality of guarding the mind amidst sensory experience. By restraining the faculties, the mind remains unsoiled by attraction.

Also known as: alertness, carefulness, heedfulness, conscientiousness, vigilance
Pāli: appamāda, uṭṭhāna
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Wisdom

Wisdom

Lived understanding and sound judgment that steers the mind away from suffering, distinct from mere accumulation of facts.

Also known as: (of a person) wise, astute, intelligent, learned, skilled, firm, stable, steadfast, an experiential understanding of the four noble truths
Pāli: paññā, vijjā, medhā, dhīra, paṇḍita
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Attachment

Attachment

A mental fastening onto people, things, views, or states as “me” or “mine,” unwilling to release them. This clinging can give a sense of security and sweetness.

Also known as: acquisition, bond, clinging, grasping, holding on, possession, entanglement, bound, connected, taking as mine
Pāli: upadhi, upādāna, sakiñcana, mamatta
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Negligence

Negligence

Dwelling with unrestrained faculties, soiled by sensory attraction. Negligence is the failure to guard the mind and to arouse heedfulness, blocking the arising of wholesome states.

Also known as: carelessness, heedlessness, inattentiveness
Pāli: pamāda
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Last updated on December 13, 2025