All decrepit is this body,
diseases’ nest and frail;
this foul mass is broken up
for life does end in death.
Explanation: This form – this body – is fully broken down. It is truly a den of diseases. It disintegrates easily. Out of its nine orifices, putrid matter oozes constantly. It breaks apart. Death puts an end to it.
The Story of Nun Uttara (Verse 148)
While residing at the Jetavana Monastery, the Buddha spoke this verse, with reference to Nun Uttara.
Nun Uttara, who was one hundred and twenty years old, was one day returning from her alms-round when she met a monk and requested him to accept her offering of alms-food; so she had to go without food for that day The same thing happened on the next two days. Thus Nun Uttara was without food for three successive days and she was feeling weak. On the fourth day, while she was on her alms-round, she met the Buddha on the road where it was narrow. Respectfully, she paid obeisance to the Buddha and stepped back. While doing so, she accidentally stepped on her own robe and fell on the ground, injuring her head. The Buddha went up to her and said, “Your body is getting very old and infirm, it is ready to crumble, it will soon perish”. At the end of the discourse, Nun Uttara attained sotapatti fruition.