Verse 349. Craving Tightens Bonds

For one who’s crushed by thinking much
excessive lust from beauty’s sight,
for that one craving grows the more,
that one makes strong the bonds.

Explanation: In those whose minds are agitated and assailed
by doubts and suspicions, whose passions and sensualities are sharpened,
craving increases more and more. This makes the bonds tighter.

Verse 350. He Cuts Off Bonds Of Mara

But who delights in calming thoughts
develops constant mindfulness,
that one indeed will make an End,
will sever Mara’s bonds.

Explanation: He who is constantly engaged in dispelling the
doubts and suspicions that assail the mind, is earnest and ever alert,
looks on the world of reality as not pleasant. He will eradicate craving
and will cut off bonds of death.

Dhammapada Verses 349 and 350
Culadhanuggaha Pandita Vatthu

Vitakkamathitassa jantuno
tibbaragassa subbhanupassino
bhiyyo tanha pavaddhati
esa kho dalham karoti bandhanam.

Vitakkupasame ca yo rato
asubham bhavayate sada sato
esa kho byanti kahiti
esa cheechati marabandhanam.

Verse 349: In a man who is disturbed by (sensual) thoughts, whose passions
are strong, and who keeps seeing objects as being pleasant, craving grows more
and more. Indeed, he makes his bondage strong.

Verse 350: A man who takes delight in calming (sensual) thoughts, who is ever
mindful, and meditates on the impurity (of the body, etc.) will certainly get
rid (of craving); this man will cut the bond of Mara.

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The Story of Culadhanuggaha, the Skilful Archer

While residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verses (349) and
(350) of this book, with reference to a young bhikkhu, who was a skilful archer
in one of his previous existences.

Once a young bhikkhu took his alms-food in one of the shelters specially
built for bhikkhus in town. After his meal he felt like drinking water. So he
went to a house and asked for some drinking water, and a young woman came out to
give him some water. As soon as this young woman saw the young bhikkhu she fell
in love with him. Wishing to entice him, she invited the young bhikkhu to come
to her house whenever he felt thirsty. After some time, she invited him to her
house for alms-food. On that day, she told him that they had everything they
could wish for in the house, but that there was no male to look after their
affairs, etc. Hearing those words, the young bhikkhu took the hint and he soon
found himself to be more and more attached to the young, attractive woman. He
became very much dissatisfied with his life as a bhikkhu and was getting thin.
Other bhikkhus reported about him to the Buddha.

The Buddha called the young bhikkhu to his presence and said to him,
“My son, listen to me. This young woman will be your undoing just as she
had been to you in a previous existence. In one of your previous existences you
were a very skilful archer and she was your wife. On one occasion, while the two
of you were travelling, you came upon a gang of highwaymen. She fell in love
with the gang leader. So, while you and the gang leader were engaged in fighting
and you called out to her to give you the sword, she gave the sword to the
robber who promptly killed you. Thus, she was the cause of your death. Now, too,
she will be the cause of your ruin if you go after her and leave my Order for
her sake.”

Then the Buddha spoke in verse as follows:

Verse 349: In a man who is disturbed by (sensual) thoughts, whose passions are strong, and who keeps seeing objects as being pleasant, craving grows more and more. Indeed, he makes his bondage strong.

Verse 350: A man who takes delight in calming (sensual) thoughts, who is ever mindful, and meditates on the impurity (of the body, etc.) will certainly get rid (of craving); this man will cut the bond of Mara.

At the end of the discourse, the young bhikkhu attained Sotapatti Fruition.