VERSE 26

A hindrance appears just When a desire is sought to be satisfied. That causes anger. Anger is the great enemy of man. From it arises hatred. It harms another as well as oneself. The more one feels hurt, the greater is the anger. A disease of the body disappears after it has caused some damage. This is the nature of physical diseases. But anger is of a different nature. it causes affliction continuously without end and, itself grows in the process. It does not abate.

Desires are of various kinds. We would feel ashamed. openly to express some of them. We proclaim some of our other desires with pride. Both types of desires grow by what they feed on. They are insatiable, always wanting more. Feed the desire; it becomes hungrier. The hunger is unappeasable.

There is a limit to the power of the senses, which crave for pleasure. The senses may become powerless; but the desire continues. This is the unfortunate and surprising truth. Desire persists wanting satisfaction even when it is impossible. That is why desire is spoken of as a monster, a rakshasa.

[ Up ] [ Next ]