Chapter 2: On Earnestness

The author establishes earnestness as the fundamental path to Nirvana (immortality), contrasting it with thoughtlessness which leads to death. Those who practice earnestness are truly alive; the thoughtless are effectively already dead.

Those advanced in understanding earnestness take delight in it and rejoice in the knowledge of the Ariyas (the elect or enlightened ones).

The wise people who are meditative, steady, and possess strong powers achieve Nirvana, which is described as the highest happiness.

The author lists specific conditions—self-rousal, mindfulness, purity of deeds, considerate action, self-restraint, and living according to law—that result in increased glory for an earnest person.

Through self-rousal, earnestness, restraint and control, the wise person creates for themselves an island (a metaphorical refuge) that cannot be overwhelmed by any flood.

The author contrasts fools who pursue vanity with the wise who regard earnestness as their most precious jewel.

The author urges followers to reject vanity and the pursuit of love and lust, asserting that earnestness and meditation lead to ample joy.

When the learned person dispels vanity through earnestness, they climb the heights of wisdom and look down serenely upon fools and the toiling crowd, as one standing on a mountain surveys those on a plain.

The earnest and awake wise person advances rapidly among the thoughtless and sleepy masses, like a racer leaving behind a slow horse.

The author cites Maghavan (Indra) as an example of one who rose to divine lordship through earnestness, and notes that earnestness is universally praised while thoughtlessness is blamed.

A mendicant who delights in earnestness and fears thoughtlessness moves like fire, burning away all bonds both small and large.

A mendicant who delights in reflection and fears thoughtlessness cannot fall from their perfect state and approaches Nirvana.