Dhammapada Verses 288 and 289
Patacara Vatthu

Na santi putta tanaya
na pita napi bandhava
antakena' dhipannassa
natthi natisu tanata.

Etamatthavasam natva
pandito silasamvuto
nibbanagamanam maggam
khippameva visodhaye.

Verse 288: Not sons, nor parents, nor close relatives can protect one assailed by Death; indeed, neither kith nor kin can give protection.

Verse 289: Knowing this, the wise man restrained by morality should quickly clear (the obstacles to) the Path leading to Nibbana.

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The Story of Patacara*

While residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verses (288) and (289) of this book, with reference to Patacara, the daughter of a rich man from Savatthi.

As Patacara had lost her husband and her two sons, as well as her parents and three brothers almost at the same time, she was driven to near insanity. When she approached the Buddha, he said to her, "Patacara, sons and daughters cannot look after you; so even if they are alive they do not exist for you. The wise man observes morality (sila) and clears (the obstacles to) the Path leading to Nibbana."

Then the Buddha spoke in verse as follows:

Verse 288: Not sons, nor parents, nor close relatives can protect one assailed by Death; indeed, neither kith nor kin can give protection.

Verse 289: Knowing this, the wise man restrained by morality should quickly clear (the obstacles to) the Path leading to Nibbana.

At the end of the discourse Patacara attained Sotapatti Fruition.

* This story has been given in Verse 113, Chapter VIII - Story No. 12.

End of Chapter Twenty: The Path