Buddhism · Sutta Pitaka · Minor Collection (Khuddaka)

Snp, part 39

Sensual Pleasures · Kāmasutta

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PāliPali

If a mortal desires sensual pleasure and their desire succeeds, they definitely become elated, having got what they want.

Kāmaṁ kāmayamānassa, tassa ce taṁ samijjhati; Addhā pītimano hoti, laddhā macco yadicchati.

But for that personage in the throes of pleasure, aroused by desire, when those pleasures fade, it inflicts them like an arrow strike.

Tassa ce kāmayānassa, chandajātassa jantuno; Te kāmā parihāyanti, sallaviddhova ruppati.

One who, being mindful, avoids sensual pleasures like side-stepping a snake’s head, transcends attachment to the world.

Yo kāme parivajjeti, sappasseva padā siro; Somaṁ visattikaṁ loke, sato samativattati.

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,

Khettaṁ vatthuṁ hiraññaṁ vā, gavāssaṁ dāsaporisaṁ; Thiyo bandhū puthu kāme, yo naro anugijjhati.

the weak overpower him and adversities crush him. Suffering follows him like water in a leaky boat.

Abalā naṁ balīyanti, maddantenaṁ parissayā; Tato naṁ dukkhamanveti, nāvaṁ bhinnamivodakaṁ.

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.

Tasmā jantu sadā sato, Kāmāni parivajjaye; Te pahāya tare oghaṁ, Nāvaṁ sitvāva pāragūti. Kāmasuttaṁ paṭhamaṁ.