His graceful form completely faded almost beyond recognition. His golden coloured skin turned pale, his blood dried up, his sinews and muscles shrivelled up, his eyes were sunk and blurred. To all appearance he was a living skeleton. He was almost on the verge of death. Near to you is death.
Life is better.
Living, you could perform merit. By leading a life of celibacy and making fire sacrifices, much merit could be acquired. Hard is the path of striving, difficult and not easily accomplished. Mara reciting these words stood in the presence of the Exalted One. You have come here for your own sake.