Sensual Pleasures · Translation: Bhikkhu Sujato, SuttaCentral
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⚠ Glossing did not finish. The original text is shown below.
Kāmaṁ kāmayamānassa, tassa ce taṁ samijjhati; Addhā pītimano hoti, laddhā macco yadicchati.
If a mortal desires sensual pleasure and their desire succeeds, they definitely become elated, having got what they want.
Tassa ce kāmayānassa, chandajātassa jantuno; Te kāmā parihāyanti, sallaviddhova ruppati.
But for that personage in the throes of pleasure, aroused by desire, when those pleasures fade, it inflicts them like an arrow strike.
Yo kāme parivajjeti, sappasseva padā siro; Somaṁ visattikaṁ loke, sato samativattati.
One who, being mindful, avoids sensual pleasures like side-stepping a snake’s head, transcends attachment to the world.
Khettaṁ vatthuṁ hiraññaṁ vā, gavāssaṁ dāsaporisaṁ; Thiyo bandhū puthu kāme, yo naro anugijjhati.
There are many objects of sensual desire: fields, lands, and gold; cattle and horses; slaves and servants; women and relatives. When a man lusts over these,
Abalā naṁ balīyanti, maddantenaṁ parissayā; Tato naṁ dukkhamanveti, nāvaṁ bhinnamivodakaṁ.
the weak overpower him and adversities crush him. Suffering follows him like water in a leaky boat.
Tasmā jantu sadā sato, Kāmāni parivajjaye; Te pahāya tare oghaṁ, Nāvaṁ sitvāva pāragūti. Kāmasuttaṁ paṭhamaṁ.
That’s why a personage, ever mindful, should avoid sensual pleasures. Give them up and cross the flood, as a bailed-out boat reaches the far shore.
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