On seeing the people of Sāvatthi clinging to sensual pleasures, the Buddha expresses an inspired utterance on harm that comes from sensual desire.

UD 7.4  Dutiyasatta sutta - Clinging (Second)

Evaṁ me sutaṁ ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme. Tena kho pana samayena sāvatthiyā manussā yebhuyyena kāmesu sattā rattā giddhā gathitā mucchitā ajjhosannā andhīkatā sammattakajātā kāmesu viharanti.

Thus have I heard—At one time, the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthi, in Jeta’s grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s park. At that time, by and large, the people in Sāvatthi lived clinging to sensual pleasures—|infatuated by::inflamed by, enamoured by [rattā]|, desirous for, bound by, fixated with, attached to, blinded by, and intoxicated with sensual pleasures.

Atha kho bhagavā pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya sāvatthiṁ piṇḍāya pāvisi. Addasā kho bhagavā sāvatthiyā te manusse yebhuyyena kāmesu satte ratte giddhe gathite mucchite ajjhopanne andhīkate sammattakajāte kāmesu viharante.

Then the Blessed One, having dressed early in the morning and taking his alms bowl and outer robe, entered Sāvatthi for alms. There, he saw that by and large, the people in Sāvatthi lived clinging to sensual pleasures—infatuated by, desirous for, bound by, fixated with, attached to, blinded by, and intoxicated with sensual pleasures.

Atha kho bhagavā etamatthaṁ viditvā tāyaṁ velāyaṁ imaṁ udānaṁ udānesi:

Then, understanding the significance of this, the Blessed One at that time expressed this inspired utterance:

“Kāmandhā jālasañchannā,
Taṇhāchadanachāditā;
Pamattabandhunā baddhā,
Macchāva kumināmukhe;
Jarāmaraṇamanventi,
Vaccho khīrapakova mātaran”ti.

“|Blinded by sensual desire::deluded by passion [kāmandha]|, enveloped by the net [of lust],
covered with the coating of |craving::wanting, yearning, longing, attachment, lit. thirst [taṇha]|;
Bound by the |kin of the careless::epithet of Māra, embodiment of all forces that keeps beings trapped in cyclic existence [pamattabandhu]|,
like fish in the mouth of a trap;
They approach old age and death,
like a calf suckling its mother.”

Qualities:

Attachment

Attachment

A mental fastening onto people, things, views, or states as “me” or “mine,” unwilling to release them. This clinging can give a sense of security and sweetness.

Also known as: acquisition, bond, clinging, grasping, holding on, possession, entanglement, bound, connected, taking as mine
Pāli: upadhi, upādāna, sakiñcana, mamatta
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Craving

Craving

A driving ‘thirst’ that reaches out toward experiences, identities, or outcomes as the place to find satisfaction—“if only I had that.” It spins stories of lack, binds the mind to becoming, and invariably leads to suffering.

Also known as: wanting, yearning, longing, lit. thirst
Pāli: taṇha, abhijjhā
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Passion

Passion

Intense desire or lust that dyes the mind. It fixates on the features of objects, coloring perception with infatuation and making it difficult to see things as they truly are.

Also known as: burning fever, intense desire, strong emotion, infatuation, obsession, lust
Pāli: rāga
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Sensual desire

Sensual desire

A mental quality of desiring sensory gratification. It pulls the mind’s attention toward sights, sounds, smells, tastes, or touches in a search for satisfaction.

Also known as: passion for sensual pleasures, lust, craving for pleasure, pull toward enticing sense objects
Pāli: kāmacchanda
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Last updated on December 13, 2025