1At Sāvatthī. Standing to one side, that devata recited this verse in the presence of the Blessed One:

2v.5 "Time flies by, the nights swiftly pass;
The stages of life successively desert us. [n.11] Vayoguṇa anupubbaṁ jahanti. Spk: Youth deserts one who reaches middle age; both youth and middle age desert one who reaches old age; and at the time of death, all three stages desert us.
Seeing clearly this danger in death,
One should do deeds of merit that bring happiness."

The Blessed One:

3v.6 "Time flies by, the nights swiftly pass;
The stages of life successively desert us.
Seeing clearly this danger in death,
A seeker of peace should drop the world's bait."

1Sāvatthinidānaṁ. Ekamantaṁ ṭhitā kho sā devatā bhagavato santike imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi:

2"Accenti kālā tarayanti rattiyo,
Vayoguṇā anupubbaṁ jahanti;
Etaṁ bhayaṁ maraṇe pekkhamāno,
Puññāni kayirātha sukhāvahānī"ti.

3"Accenti kālā tarayanti rattiyo,
Vayoguṇā anupubbaṁ jahanti;
Etaṁ bhayaṁ maraṇe pekkhamāno,
Lokāmisaṁ pajahe santipekkho"ti.