[97] (12)
As a serpent leaves behind its worn-out skin and goes on its way with its own body,
so, when the body is of no use, when the departed (peta) has died,
the one being burned does not know the lamentation of his kinsmen;
therefore I do not grieve for him — gone is he to that destination (gati) which was his.
Unbidden he came from there; without leave he went from here;
even as he came, so has he gone — what lamentation is there in that?
The one being burned does not know the lamentation of his kinsmen;
therefore I do not weep for him — gone is he to that destination which was his.
If I were to weep, I should grow thin; what fruit would there be for me in that?
For our kinsmen, friends, and dear companions there would be all the more discontent.
The one being burned does not know the lamentation of his kinsmen;
therefore I do not weep for him — gone is he to that destination which was his.
Just as a child cries after the moon as it goes on its course,
of just such a kind is this — that one should sorrow after the departed.
The one being burned does not know the lamentation of his kinsmen;
therefore I do not weep for him — gone is he to that destination which was his.
Just as, brahmin, a water-jar once broken cannot be joined together again,
of just such a kind is this — that one should sorrow after the departed.
The one being burned does not know the lamentation of his kinsmen;
therefore I do not weep for him — gone is he to that destination which was his.
The Uraga Peta Story (Uragapetavatthu), the twelfth, is ended.
Summary (uddāna):
The Simile of the Field (Khettūpamā), the two on complexion (vaṇṇā duve), the Doll (Dhītalikā), Outside the Walls (Tirokuḍḍa),
the Son-eater (Puttakhādikā), the Ox (Goṇa), the Dung (Gūtha), the Mansion (Pāsāda), the Nāga and the Serpent (Uraga) — twelve.
These are the stories in the first chapter — such is the summary.
The Uraga Chapter (Uragavagga), the first, is ended.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.