A deity engages the Buddha in verse on ensnared, exploring a teaching on suffering, liberation, and the law of kamma.

SN 1.67 Ensnared

“Kenassu uḍḍito loko,
kenassu parivārito;
Kenassu pihito loko,
kismiṁ loko patiṭṭhito”ti.

“Taṇhāya uḍḍito loko,
jarāya parivārito;
Maccunā pihito loko,
dukkhe loko patiṭṭhito”ti.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Kenassu uḍḍito loko,

“By what is the world ensnared?

kenassu parivārito;

By what is it surrounded?

Kenassu pihito loko,

By what is the world fastened shut?

kismiṁ loko patiṭṭhito”ti.

On what is the world grounded?”

“Taṇhāya uḍḍito loko,

“Craving has ensnared the world.

jarāya parivārito;

It’s surrounded by old age.

Maccunā pihito loko,

The world is fastened shut by mortality.

dukkhe loko patiṭṭhito”ti.

The world is grounded on suffering.”