You are like a withered leaf, the messengers of Yama await you. You stand at the threshold of departure, and you have no provisions for the journey.

Paṇḍupalāsova dānisi — you are like a withered leaf: paṇḍu-palāsa is the yellow leaf, withered, about to fall. The image of the autumn leaf is universal: its fall is imminent and inevitable.

Yamapurisāpi ca te upaṭṭhitā — the messengers of Yama await you: Yama is the lord of death in Indian tradition. His messengers (purisa) are already present, waiting.

Uyyogamukhe ca tiṭṭhasi — you stand at the threshold of departure: uyyoga-mukha is literally “the mouth of departure” — the threshold of death. The image is of someone about to embark on an irreversible journey.

Pātheyyampi ca te na vijjati — and you have no provisions for the journey: pātheyya are travel provisions. In spiritual terms, provisions are accumulated merits, practice completed, wisdom developed. Departing without provisions is facing death without preparation.