An excerpt from the original text.(complete · 844 words)
hirst
334. The thirst of a thoughtless man grows like a creeper; he runs from
life to life, like a monkey seeking fruit in the forest.
335. Whomsoever this fierce thirst overcomes, full of poison, in this
world, his sufferings increase like the abounding Birana grass.
336. He who overcomes this fierce thirst, difficult to be conquered in
this world, sufferings fall off from him, like water-drops from a lotus
leaf.
337. This salutary word I tell you, `Do ye, as many as are here
assembled, dig up the root of thirst, as he who wants the sweet-scented
Usira root must dig up the Birana grass, that Mara (the tempter) may not
crush you again and again, as the stream crushes the reeds.'
338. As a tree, even though it has been cut down, is firm so long as its
root is safe, and grows again, thus, unless the feeders of thirst are
destroyed, the pain (of life) will return again and again.
339. He whose thirst running towards pleasure is exceeding strong in the
thirty-six channels, the waves will carry away that misguided man, viz.
his desires which are set on passion.
340. The channels run everywhere, the creeper (of passion) stands
sprouting; if you see the creeper springing up, cut its root by means of
knowledge.
341. A creature's pleasures are extravagant and luxurious; sunk in lust
and looking for pleasure, men undergo (again and again) birth and decay.
342. Men, driven on by thirst, run about like a snared hare; held in
fetters and bonds, they undergo pain for a long time, again and again.
343. Men, driven on by thirst, run about like a snared hare;
let therefore the mendicant drive out thirst, by striving after
passionlessness for himself.
344. He who having got rid of the forest (of lust) (i.e. after having
reached Nirvana) gives himself over to forest-life (i.e. to lust), and
who, when removed from the forest (i.e. from lust), runs to the forest
(i.e. to lust), look at that man! though free, he runs into bondage.
345. Wise people do not call that a strong fetter which is made of iron,
wood, or hemp; far stronger is the care for precious stones and rings,
for sons and a wife.
346. That fetter wise people call strong which drags down, yields, but
is difficult to undo; after having cut this at last, people leave the
world, free from cares, and leaving desires and pleasures behind.
347. Those who are slaves to passions, run down with the stream (of
desires), as a spider runs down the web which he has made himself;
when they have cut this, at last, wise people leave the world free from
cares, leaving all affection behind.
348. Give up what is before, give up what is behind, give up what is in
the middle, when thou goest to the other shore of existence; if thy mind
is altogether free, thou wilt not again enter into birth and decay.
349. If a man is tossed about by doubts, full of strong passions, and
yearning only for what is delightful, his thirst will grow more and
more, and he will indeed make his fetters strong.
350. If a man delights in quieting doubts, and, always reflecting,
dwells on what is not delightful (the impurity of the body, &c.), he
certainly will remove, nay, he will cut the fetter of Mara.
351. He who has reached the consummation, who does not tremble, who is
without thirst and without sin, he has broken all the thorns of life:
this will be his last body.
352. He who is without thirst and without affection, who understands the
words and their interpretation, who knows the order of letters (those
which are before and which are after), he has received his last body, he
is called the great sage, the great man.
353. `I have conquered all, I know all, in all conditions of life I am
free from taint; I have left all, and through the destruction of thirst
I am free; having learnt myself, whom shall I teach?'
354. The gift of the law exceeds all gifts; the sweetness of the law
exceeds all sweetness; the delight in the law exceeds all delights; the
extinction of thirst overcomes all pain.
355. Pleasures destroy the foolish, if they look not for the other
shore; the foolish by his thirst for pleasures destroys himself, as if
he were his own enemy.
356. The fields are damaged by weeds, mankind is damaged by passion:
therefore a gift bestowed on the passionless brings great reward.
357. The fields are damaged by weeds, mankind is damaged by hatred:
therefore a gift bestowed on those who do not hate brings great reward.
358. The fields are damaged by weeds, mankind is damaged by vanity:
therefore a gift bestowed on those who are free from vanity brings great
reward.
359. The fields are damaged by weeds, mankind is damaged by lust:
therefore a gift bestowed on those who are free from lust brings great
reward.
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Let's Analyse the Pattern
The psychological mechanism that keeps us perpetually dissatisfied, always reaching for external things to fill internal voids.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to separate genuine requirements for wellbeing from manufactured desires that can never be satisfied.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when you say 'I need' and ask whether it's actually survival, connection, or purpose versus status, comfort, or validation.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Key Quotes & Analysis
"The thirst of a thoughtless man grows like a creeper; he runs from life to life, like a monkey seeking fruit in the forest."
Context: Opening the chapter with a vivid metaphor for how craving operates
This perfectly captures how our desires multiply and control us. The monkey metaphor shows the restless, never-satisfied nature of someone driven by craving - always reaching for the next branch, never finding peace.
In Today's Words:
When you don't think about what drives you, your wants just keep growing and you end up jumping from one thing to the next, never satisfied.
"Dig up the root of thirst, as he who wants the sweet-scented Usira root must dig up the Birana grass, that Mara may not crush you again and again."
Context: Giving practical instruction to his assembled listeners
This is Buddha's core advice - surface changes won't work. You have to get to the psychological root of why you keep wanting more, or the pattern will just repeat and crush you repeatedly.
In Today's Words:
Don't just try to control your bad habits - figure out what's driving them in the first place, or they'll keep coming back to mess you up.
"As a tree, even though it has been cut down, is firm so long as its root is safe, and grows again, thus, unless the feeders of thirst are destroyed, the pain will return again and again."
Context: Explaining why temporary fixes don't create lasting change
This reveals why willpower alone fails - the underlying psychological patterns that feed our cravings remain intact. Buddha is teaching sustainable change, not just symptom management.
In Today's Words:
Just like cutting down a tree doesn't kill it if the roots are still there, your problems will keep coming back unless you deal with what's really causing them.
Thematic Threads
Personal Growth
In This Chapter
Buddha shows how true growth means mastering internal drives rather than accumulating external achievements
Development
Evolved from earlier focus on right action to deeper understanding of underlying motivations
In Your Life:
You might notice this when promotions or purchases provide less satisfaction than expected
Class
In This Chapter
The chapter reveals how both poverty and wealth can trap people in cycles of wanting more
Development
Builds on earlier class themes by showing how desire transcends economic status
In Your Life:
You might see this in how lifestyle inflation keeps you feeling broke despite earning more
Identity
In This Chapter
Buddha explores how we define ourselves through our wants and acquisitions rather than our essence
Development
Deepens previous identity themes by examining the root of self-definition
In Your Life:
You might recognize this when you feel lost without your usual sources of validation or status
Human Relationships
In This Chapter
Shows how attachment and possessiveness in relationships create suffering for both parties
Development
Expands on earlier relationship wisdom by addressing the psychology of attachment
In Your Life:
You might notice this in jealousy, controlling behavior, or feeling incomplete without a partner
Social Expectations
In This Chapter
Reveals how societal pressure to want more keeps individuals trapped in unsatisfying cycles
Development
Connects previous observations about social pressure to their psychological roots
In Your Life:
You might see this in feeling pressure to keep up with others' lifestyles or achievements
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
Buddha describes 'thirst' as more than physical craving - what examples does he give of this deeper psychological hunger?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does Buddha say cutting down the visible problem isn't enough - you have to 'dig up the roots'? What happens when we only address surface symptoms?
analysis • medium - 3
Where do you see this 'insatiable appetite' pattern playing out in modern life - at work, in relationships, or with money and possessions?
application • medium - 4
How can someone distinguish between genuine needs and the endless appetite that can never be satisfied? What practical strategies would help?
application • deep - 5
Buddha promises that mastering our thirst leads to peace that surpasses temporary pleasure. What does this suggest about where lasting satisfaction actually comes from?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Track Your Thirst Patterns
For the next 24 hours, notice when you feel the urge to buy something, check social media, or pursue any form of instant gratification. Write down what triggered the urge and what you hoped it would accomplish. Don't judge or change anything yet - just observe the pattern in action.
Consider:
- •Pay attention to emotional states that trigger wanting - boredom, stress, loneliness
- •Notice if the satisfaction lasts as long as you expected
- •Observe whether fulfilling one desire immediately creates another
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when getting something you really wanted didn't bring the lasting happiness you expected. What did that teach you about the difference between temporary relief and genuine satisfaction?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 25: The Art of Self-Discipline
Having explored the nature of desire and attachment, Buddha now turns to those who have chosen the radical path of renunciation. The next chapter examines what it truly means to walk away from conventional life in pursuit of deeper truth.
