Sensual PleasuresKāmasutta

If a mortal desires sensual pleasureKāmaṁ kāmayamānassa, and their desire succeeds,tassa ce taṁ samijjhati; they definitely become elated,Addhā pītimano hoti, having got what they want.laddhā macco yadicchati.

But for that personage in the throes of pleasure,Tassa ce kāmayānassa, aroused by desire,chandajātassa jantuno; when those pleasures fade,Te kāmā parihāyanti, it inflicts them like an arrow strike.sallaviddhova ruppati.

One who, being mindful,Yo kāme parivajjeti, avoids sensual pleasuressappasseva padā siro; like side-stepping a snake’s head,Somaṁ visattikaṁ loke, transcends attachment to the world.sato samativattati.

There are many objects of sensual desire:Khettaṁ vatthuṁ hiraññaṁ vā, fields, lands, and gold; cattle and horses;gavāssaṁ dāsaporisaṁ; slaves and servants; women and relatives.Thiyo bandhū puthu kāme, When a man lusts over these,yo naro anugijjhati.

the weak overpower himAbalā naṁ balīyanti, and adversities crush him.maddantenaṁ parissayā; Suffering follows himTato naṁ dukkhamanveti, like water in a leaky boat.nāvaṁ bhinnamivodakaṁ.

That’s why a personage, ever mindful,Tasmā jantu sadā sato, should avoid sensual pleasures.Kāmāni parivajjaye; Give them up and cross the flood,Te pahāya tare oghaṁ, as a bailed-out boat reaches the far shore.Nāvaṁ sitvāva pāragūti.