The works of Ādi Śaṅkarācārya

Praśnottararatnamālikā

Verse 6

किं संसारे सारं बहुशोऽपि विचिन्त्यमानमिदमेव ।किं मनुजेष्विष्टतमं स्वपरहितायोद्यतं जन्म ॥ ५ ॥

In plain words

In all of saṃsāra, what is the one thing of real substance — turn it over as often as you like? Just this. And of everything a human being could want, what is worth wanting most? A life spent on the good of oneself and of everyone else.

Close to the Sanskrit

What, in saṃsāra, is the essence, even when reflected upon many times over? Just this. What, among human beings, is most desirable? A birth set upon the good of oneself and of others.