1. phandanaṃ capalaṃ cittaṃ, dūrakkhaṃ dunnivārayaṃ.
ujuṃ karoti medhāvī, usukārova tejanaṃ.
Just as a fletcher straightens an arrow shaft, even so the discerning man straightens his mind - so fickle and unsteady, so difficult to guard.

2. vārijova thale khitto, okamokataubbhato.
pariphandatidaṃ cittaṃ, māradheyyaṃ pahātave.
As a fish when pulled out of water and cast on land throbs and quivers, even so is this mind agitated. Hence should one abandon the realm of Mara.

3. dunniggahassa lahuno, yatthakāmanipātino.
cittassa damatho sādhu, cittaṃ dantaṃ sukhāvahaṃ.
Wonderful, indeed, it is to subdue the mind, so difficult to subdue, ever swift, and seizing whatever it desires. A tamed mind brings happiness.

4. sududdasaṃ sunipuṇaṃ, yatthakāmanipātinaṃ.
cittaṃ rakkhetha medhāvī, cittaṃ guttaṃ sukhāvahaṃ.
Let the discerning man guard the mind, so difficult to detect and extremely subtle, seizing whatever it desires. A guarded mind brings happiness.

5. dūraṅgamaṃ ekacaraṃ, asarīraṃ guhāsayaṃ.
ye cittaṃ saṃyamessanti, mokkhanti mārabandhanā.
Dwelling in the cave (of the heart), the mind, without form, wanders far and alone. Those who subdue this mind are liberated from the bonds of Mara.

6. anavaṭṭhitacittassa saddhammaṃ avijānato.
pariplavapasādassa, paññā na paripūrati.
Wisdom never becomes perfect in one whose mind is not steadfast, who knows not the Good Teaching and whose faith wavers.

7. anavassutacittassa ananvāhatacetaso.
puññapāpapahīnassa, natthi jāgarato bhayaṃ.
There is no fear for an awakened one, whose mind is not sodden (by lust) nor afflicted (by hate), and who has gone beyond both merit and demerit.

8. kumbhūpamaṃ kāyamimaṃ viditvā, nagarūpamaṃ cittamidaṃ ṭhapetvā.
yodhetha māraṃ paññāvudhena, jitañca rakkhe anivesano siyā.
Realizing that this body is as fragile as a clay pot, and fortifying this mind like a well-fortified city, fight out Mara with the sword of wisdom. Then, guarding the conquest, remain unattached.

9. aciraṃ vatayaṃ kāyo, pathaviṃ adhisessati.
chuddho apetaviññāṇo, niratthaṃva kaliṅgaraṃ.
Ere long, alas! this body will lie upon the earth, unheeded and lifeless, like a useless log.

10. diso disaṃ yaṃ taṃ kayirā, verī vā pana verinaṃ.
micchāpaṇihitaṃ cittaṃ, pāpiyo naṃ tato kare.
Whatever harm an enemy may do to an enemy, or a hater to a hater, an ill-directed mind inflicts on oneself a greater harm.

11. na taṃ mātā pitā kayirā, aññe vāpi ca ñātakā.
sammāpaṇihitaṃ cittaṃ, seyyaso naṃ tato kare.
Neither mother, father, nor any other relative can do one greater good than one's own well-directed mind.