Dhammapada 172

If you were heedless before but are heedless no longer, you light up this world like the moon…

If you were heedless before but are heedless no longer, you light up this world like the moon released from a cloud.

Translated from the Pāli by Banya

In plain words

Past carelessness does not rule out careful living now. The moon emerging from clouds pictures the brightness of that change.

Key words

pamāda

heedlessness — The verse contrasts former carelessness with present vigilance.

The story behind the verse

The monk with a broom

In the commentary, Sammuñjani spent his days continually sweeping the monastery. He saw Revata seated in his cell and judged him idle, and Revata called him over and told him to bathe before returning. He then advised a daily rhythm that included cleaning, alms, and time for meditation, and Sammuñjani followed the advice and attained liberation. Other monks later complained that he no longer swept as before, and the Buddha explained his change and compared a person who becomes heedful to the moon emerging from cloud.

Retold by Banya from the traditional commentary, after E. W. Burlingame, Buddhist Legends (1921).

Explanation by Banya. Traditional readings vary.