Craving
Craving is the subject of every verse here. It grows in a heedless person like a creeper and makes them leap from one thing to the next like a monkey after fruit. Sorrow grows in one beaten by craving like grass in the rain, and falls from one who overcomes it like a drop from a lotus leaf. The verses say suffering springs up again and again while the root of craving is not dug out, as a cut tree regrows from strong roots. Iron and wood are called weak shackles beside attachment to jewellery, partners and children. A closing set says greed, hate, delusion and desire ruin people as weeds ruin crops.
A note on these verses. Verses 341–348 and 351–352 speak of being born again and of ending that; verse 350 recommends “perception of ugliness” as a counter to lust; verse 337 names Māra.
Translated by Bhikkhu Sujato · public domain (CC0) · about 4 min · on SuttaCentral
334When a man lives heedlessly,craving grows in them like a camel’s foot creeper.They jump from one thing to the next, like a langurgreedy for fruit in a forest grove.
335Whoever is beaten by this wretched craving,this attachment to the world,their sorrow grows,like grass in the rain.Explained: Drops from a lotus leaf
336But whoever prevails over this wretched craving,so hard to get over in the world,their sorrows fall from them,like a drop from a lotus-leaf.
337I say this to you, good people,all those who have gathered here:dig up the root of craving,as you’d dig up grass in search of roots.Don’t let Māra break you again and again,like a stream breaking a reed.
338A tree grows back even when cut down,so long as its roots are strong and undamaged;suffering springs up again and again,so long as the tendency to craving is not pulled out.
339A person of low viewsin whom the thirty-six streamsthat flow to pleasure are mighty,is swept away by lustful thoughts.
340The streams flow everywhere;a weed springs up and remains.Seeing this weed that has been born,cut the root with wisdom.
341A personage’s joysflow from senses and cravings.Seekers of happiness, bent on pleasure,continue to be reborn and grow old.
342People governed by thirst,crawl about like a trapped rabbit.Bound and fettered, for a long timethey return to pain time and again.
343People governed by thirst,crawl about like a trapped rabbit.That’s why one who longs for dispassionshould dispel thirst.
344Unsnarled, they set out for the jungle,then they run right back to the jungle they left behind.Just look at this individual!Freed, they run to bondage.
345The attentive say that shackle is not strongthat’s made of iron, wood, or knots.But obsession with jeweled earrings,concern for your partners and children:
346this, say the attentive, is a strong shackledragging the indulgent down, hard to escape.Having cut this one too they go forth,unconcerned, having given up sensual pleasures.
347Besotted by lust they fall into the stream,like a spider caught in the web she wove.The attentive proceed, having cut this one too,unconcerned, having given up all suffering.
348Let go of the past, let go of the future,let go of the present, having gone beyond rebirth.With your heart freed in every respect,you’ll not come again to rebirth and old age.
349For a personage churned by thoughts,very lustful, focusing on beauty,their craving grows and grows,tying them with a stout bond.
350But one who loves to calm their thoughts,developing perception of ugliness, ever mindful,will surely eliminate that craving,cutting off the bonds of Māra.
351One who is confident, unafraid,rid of craving, free of blemish,having struck down the arrows flying to future lives,this bag of bones is their last.
352Rid of craving, free of grasping,expert in the definition of terms,knowing the correctstructure and sequence of syllables,they are said to be one who bears their final body,one of great wisdom, a great person.
353I am the vanquisher of all, the knower of all,unsullied in the midst of all things.I’ve given up all, freed in the ending of craving.Since I know for myself, whose follower should I be?
354The gift of the teaching surmounts all other gifts;the taste of the teaching surmounts all other tastes;the joy of the teaching surmounts all other joys;the ending of craving surmounts all suffering.
355Riches ruin a simpleton,but not a seeker of the far shore.From craving for wealth, a simpletonruins themselves and others.
356Weeds are the bane of crops,but greed is these folk’s bane.That’s why a gift to one rid of greedis so very fruitful.
357Weeds are the bane of crops,but hate is these folk’s bane.That’s why a gift to one rid of hateis so very fruitful.
358Weeds are the bane of crops,but delusion is these folk’s bane.That’s why a gift to one rid of delusionis so very fruitful.
359Weeds are the bane of crops,but desire is these folk’s bane.That’s why a gift to one rid of desireis so very fruitful.