VERSE 7

= Sn 149

Saddhatissa:

Just as a mother would protect her only child at the risk of her own life, even so, let him

cultivate a boundless heart towards all beings.

Norman:

Just as a mother would protect with her life her own son, her only son, so one should

cultivate an unbounded mind towards all beings,

Basham:

As a mother cares for her son,

Her only son, all her days,

So towards all things living

A man’s mind should be all-embracing.

Rahula:

Just as a mother would protect her only child even at the risk of her own life, even so let

one cultivate a boundless heart towards all beings.

Woodward:

Even as a mother, as long as she doth live, watches over her child, her only child,—even

so should one practise an all-embracing mind unto all beings.

Ñānamoli:

(1)

Thus as a mother with her life   

Might guard her son, her only child,

Would he maintain unboundedly              

His thought for every living being. 

Thus as a mother with her life

Will guard her son, her only child,

Let him extend unboundedly

His heart to every living being.

Dhammayut:

As a mother would risk her life to protect her child, her only child,

Even so should one cultivate a limitless heart with regard to all beings.

Gunaratana:

As a mother would risk her own life

to protect her only child,

even so towards all living beings

one should cultivate a boundless heart.

Khantipalo:

Just as a mother at the risk of life

loves and protects her son, her only son,

so let him cultivate this boundless love

to all that live in the whole universe;

Aronson:

One should cultivate an unlimited mind

Towards all beings

The way a mother protects her only son

With her life.

Narada:

Just as a mother would protect her only child at the risk of her own life, even so let him

cultivate a boundless heart towards all beings.

New
Translation: