bhoge roga-bhayaṁ kule cyuti-bhayaṁ vitte nṛpālād bhayaṁ
māne dainya-bhayaṁ bale ripu-bhayaṁ rūpe jarāyā bhayam
śāstre vādi-bhayaṁ guṇe khala-bhayaṁ kāye kṛtāntād bhayaṁ
sarvaṁ vastu bhayānvitaṁ bhuvi nṝṇāṁ viṣṇoḥ padaṁ nirbhayam
"[Life is fearful at each and every step] — In enjoyment there is fear of disease; in noble birth there is fear of falling from its high standards; in earning wealth there is the fear of kings and governments; a person having great respect in society has the fear of infamy; even powerful armies fear their enemies; beautiful people fear old-age; in becoming a learned scholar there is always the fear of someone knowing better than us; and people with good qualities always have to fear the rascals.
And [if all these fears are kept aside] the fear of death is a constant companion. [What a damned world] where everything is fraught with fear! Lord Viṣṇu's abode alone is free of fear."
— (Vairāgya-śataka of Bhartṛhari, Verse 31, Haridāsa-variation)
