sn.35.114 Saṁyutta Nikāya (Linked Discourses)

Māra’s Snare (1st)

“Mendicants, there are sights known by the eye that are likable, desirable, agreeable, pleasant, sensual, and arousing.
If a mendicant approves, welcomes, and keeps clinging to them,
they’re called a mendicant trapped in Māra’s lair, fallen under Māra’s sway, and caught in Māra’s snare.
They’re bound by Māra’s bonds, and the Wicked One can do with them what he wants.
There are sounds … smells … tastes … touches …


There are thoughts known by the mind that are likable, desirable, agreeable, pleasant, sensual, and arousing.
If a mendicant approves, welcomes, and keep clinging to them,
they’re called a mendicant trapped in Māra’s lair, fallen under Māra’s sway, and caught in Māra’s snare.
They’re bound by Māra, and the Wicked One can do with them what he wants.
There are sights known by the eye that are likable, desirable, agreeable, pleasant, sensual, and arousing.
If a mendicant doesn’t approve, welcome, and keep clinging to them,
they’re called a mendicant not trapped in Māra’s lair, not fallen under Māra’s sway, and released from Māra’s snare.
They’re free from Māra’s bonds, and the Wicked One cannot do with them what he wants.
There are sounds … smells … tastes … touches …


There are thoughts known by the mind that are likable, desirable, agreeable, pleasant, sensual, and arousing.
If a mendicant doesn’t approve, welcome, and keep clinging to them,
they’re called a mendicant not trapped in Māra’s lair, not fallen under Māra’s sway, and released from Māra’s snare.
They’re free from Māra’s bonds, and the Wicked One cannot do with them what he wants.”