Sutta Nipata Chapter 4: The Chapter of the Eights - Aṭṭhakavagga
4:1 Sensual Pleasures
- © Translated from the Pali by Bhante Sujato.(More copyright information)
766
If a mortal desires sensual pleasure
and their desire succeeds,
they definitely become elated,
having got what they want.
767
But for that person in the throes of pleasure,
aroused by desire,
if those pleasures fade,
it hurts like an arrow’s strike.
768
One who, being mindful,
avoids sensual pleasures
like side-stepping a snake’s head,
transcends attachment to the world.
769
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,
770
the weak overpower him
and adversities crush him.
Suffering follows him
like water in a leaky boat.
771
That’s why a person, ever mindful,
should avoid sensual pleasures.
Give them up and cross the flood,
as a bailed-out boat reaches the far shore.
766Kāmaṁ kāmayamānassa,
tassa ce taṁ samijjhati;
Addhā pītimano hoti,
laddhā macco yadicchati.
767
Tassa ce kāmayānassa,
chandajātassa jantuno;
Te kāmā parihāyanti,
sallaviddhova ruppati.
768
Yo kāme parivajjeti,
sappasseva padā siro;
Somaṁ visattikaṁ loke,
sato samativattati.
769
Khettaṁ vatthuṁ hiraññaṁ vā,
gavāssaṁ dāsaporisaṁ;
Thiyo bandhū puthu kāme,
yo naro anugijjhati.
770
Abalā naṁ balīyanti,
maddantenaṁ parissayā;
Tato naṁ dukkhamanveti,
nāvaṁ bhinnamivodakaṁ.
771
Tasmā jantu sadā sato,
Kāmāni parivajjaye;
Te pahāya tare oghaṁ,
Nāvaṁ sitvāva pāragūti.
Kāmasuttaṁ paṭhamaṁ.