The mother has placed her infant in the cradle, woven of the five elements and watched over by the four guardians of speech. She shows the child playthings of devotion through the power of articulate speech. 'Sleep now, sleep,' says the mother, cradling the child. 'You have tired yourself with play, O unknowing babe, sleep now.' Playing outside with worldly people, the child does not know that the dark-faced demon of death may carry him away. Seeing the heedless child at play, death may seize him; so she urges: obey my words swiftly. Past merit was your companion that saved you from the clutches of tormentors. Who knows how many others were carried away before; only by great merit have you come this far. Playing, Shuka was pursued by desire, and he hid twelve years in his mother's womb. Emerging, he ran clutching his loincloth, and in that same manner, take shelter behind the door of devotion. Playing, the emperor Janaka was seized by fear; one foot fell into the fire. His body trembled, and neither joy nor sorrow could be felt. The emperor Shibi was tested unexpectedly; fearless, he cut flesh from his own hand. When all was tested, his divine parents snatched him back. Ajamela was bound to a courtesan's company; in terror he cried out, and his divine parents heard. They rushed to save him and drew the pair to themselves. So, O child, hold fast to this remembrance and remain still. Do not wander heedless in play. Death counts your days and tallies them; then it blinds your eyes and gives no chance to remember. Such are those compassionate parents who have captivated the child's chitta, singing sweetly in melodious voice. By that singing the mind becomes calm and still. Says Tuka, those who lack faith are destroyed.

The mother has laid her child in the cradle, woven of the five elements and watched at its four corners. With the power of speech in her hand she shows the child the playthings of devotion. 'Sleep now, sleep,' the mother says, rocking the child. 'You have worn yourself out with play, O unknowing babe. Sleep now.' Playing outside with worldly people, the child does not know that the dark-faced demon of death may carry him off. Seeing the heedless child at play, death may seize him; so she says, obey my words at once. Past good deeds were your companion and saved you from the hands of your tormentors. How many others were carried off before, who can say? Only by great merit have you come this far. While he played, desire chased Shuka, and he hid twelve years in his mother's womb. He came out and ran clutching his loincloth; in that same way, master, take shelter behind the door of devotion. While he played, the emperor Janaka was seized by fear; one foot fell into the fire. His body shook; he could feel neither joy nor sorrow. No self, no other, no sense of the body remained. The emperor Shibi was tested without warning; fearless, he cut the flesh from his own hand. When all had been tested, his divine parents snatched him back and took him by the hand. Ajamela was bound to a courtesan's company; in terror he cried out, and his divine parents heard. They rushed to him at once, and drew the pair back to themselves. So, O child, hold fast to this remembrance and stay still. Do not wander heedless in play. Death is counting your days and reckoning your time; then it blinds your eyes and gives no chance to remember. Such are those merciful parents who have charmed the child's heart, singing sweetly in a melodious voice. By that singing the mind grows calm and still. Tuka says: those who have no faith are destroyed.