which is really uncertain; and that to be desirable and good which is undesirable and not good.  Alas, why dost thou not awake to a correct apprehension of these?  Like a silkworm that ensconces itself in its own cocoon, thou art continually ensconcing thyself in a cocoon made of thy own innumerable acts born of stupefaction and error.  Alas, why chest thou not awake to a correct apprehension of thy situation?  No need of attaching thyself to things of this world.  Attachment to worldly objects is productive of evil.  The silk-worm that weaves a cocoon round itself is at last destroyed by its own act.  Those persons that become attached to sons and spouses and relatives meet with destruction at last, even as wild elephants sunk in the mire of a lake are gradually weakened till overtaken by Death.  Behold, all creatures that suffer themselves to be dragged by the net of affection become subject to great grief even as fishes on land, dragged thereto by means of large nets!  Relatives, sons, spouses, the body itself, and all one’s possessions stored with care, are unsubstantial and prove of no service in the next world.  Only acts, good and bad, that one does, follow one to the other world.  When it is certain that thou shalt have to go helplessly to the other world, leaving behind thee all these things alas, why dost thou then suffer thyself to be attached to such unsubstantial things of no value, without attending to that which constitutes thy real and durable wealth?  The path which thou shalt have to travel through is without resting places of any kind (in which to take rest).  There is no support along that way which one may catch for upholding oneself.  The country through which it passes is unknown and undiscovered.  It is, again enveloped in thick darkness.  Alas, how shalt thou proceed along that way without equipping thyself with the necessary expenses?  When thou shalt go along that road, nobody will follow thee behind.  Only thy acts, good and bad, will follow behind thee when thou shalt depart from this world for the next.  One seeks one’s object of objects by means of learning, acts, purity (both external and internal), and great knowledge.  When that foremost of objects is attained, one becomes freed (from rebirth).  The desire that one feels for living in the midst of human habitations is like a binding cord.  They that are of good acts succeed in tearing that bond and freeing themselves.  Only risen of wicked deeds do not succeed in breaking them.  The river of life (or the world) is terrible.  Personal beauty or form constitutes its banks.  The mind is the speed of its current.  Touch forms its island.  Taste constitutes its current.  Scent is its mire.  Sound is its waters.  That particular part of it which leads towards heaven is attended with great difficulties.  Body is the boat by which one must cross that river.  Forgiveness is the oar by which it is to be propelled.  Truth is the ballast that is to steady that boat.  The practice of righteousness