See the world as a bubble, see it as a mirage; the king of death does not see one who looks at the world thus.

Yathā pubbuḷakaṃ passe — see the world as a bubble: pubbuḷa is a water bubble — it appears, shines with iridescent colors for an instant, and disappears. The world has the same nature: it appears, shines briefly, dissolves.

Yathā passe marīcikaṃ — see it as a mirage: marīcikā is the desert mirage — the image of water that does not exist but seems real. The world as mirage: apparently solid, promising satisfaction that dissolves when approached.

Evaṃ lokaṃ avekkhantaṃ maccurājā na passati — the king of death does not see one who looks at the world thus: avekkhanta is one who looks with attention, who sees clearly. One who sees the illusory nature of the conditioned world escapes the domain of death — not because they do not die physically but because they have ceased building the house of identification.

This verse connects with verses 46 (body as foam) and 92 (bird’s track in the sky). The penetrating vision of the illusory nature of the conditioned world is the key to freedom.