Monks, there are these five cords of sensual pleasure.

What are the five?

1. Forms recognizable by the eye that are wished for, desired, agreeable and likeable, connected with sensual desire, and provocative of craving.
2. Sounds recognizable by the ear that are wished for, desired, agreeable and likeable, connected with sensual desire, and provocative of craving.
3. Odors recognizable by the nose that are wished for, desired, agreeable and likeable, connected with sensual desire, and provocative of craving.
4. Flavors recognizable by the tongue that are wished for, desired, agreeable and likeable, connected with sensual desire, and provocative of craving.
5. Physical objects recognizable by the body that are wished for, desired, agreeable and likeable, connected with sensual desire, and provocative of craving.

These are the five cords of sensual pleasure.

As to those Ascetics and Brāhmins who are tied to these five cords of sensual pleasure, obsessed with them and completely committed to them, and who use them without seeing the danger in them or understanding the escape from them, it may be understood of them: They have met with calamity, met with disaster, the Evil One may do with them as he likes.

Suppose a forest deer who was bound lay down on a heap of traps; it might be understood of him: He has met with calamity, met with disaster, the hunter can do with him as he likes, and when the hunter comes he cannot go where he wants.

As to those Ascetics and Brāhmins who are not tied to these five cords of sensual pleasure, who are not obsessed with them or completely committed to them, and who use them seeing the danger in them and understanding the escape from them, it may be understood of them: They have not met with calamity, not met with disaster, the Evil One cannot do with them as he likes.

Suppose a forest deer who was unbound lay down on a heap of traps; it might be understood of him: He has not met with calamity, not met with disaster, the hunter cannot do with him as he likes, and when the hunter comes, he can go where he wants.