As a fish when pulled out of water
and cast on land throbs and quivers,
even so is this mind agitated.
Hence should one abandon the realm of Mara.
– DhammaPada Verse 34
At that time, Thera Meghiya was attending upon the Buddha. On one occasion, on his return from alms-round, the thera noticed a pleasant and beautiful mango grove, which he thought was an ideal spot for meditation. He asked the Buddha’s permission to let him go there, but as the Buddha was alone at that time, he was told to wait for awhile until the arrival of some other bhikkhus. The thera was in a hurry to go and so he repeated his request again and again, until finally the Buddha told him to do as he wished.
Thus, Thera Meghiya set out for the mango grove, sat at the foot of a tree and practised meditation. He stayed there the whole day, but his mind kept wandering and he made no progress. He returned in the evening and reported to the Buddha how all the time he was assailed by thoughts associated with the senses, ill will and cruelty.
This verse was said by the Buddha on this occasion.
Related Teachings:
- The Realization of the Three True Knowledges (MN 36) ↗️ - The Buddha shares a similar simile, of a sappy log in dry land referring to an untrained mind that is away from sensual pleasures.
- The Fever of Sensual Pleasures (from MN 75) - Accused by a hedonist of being too negative, the Buddha recounts the luxury of his upbringing, and his realization of how little value there was in such things. Through renunciation he found a far greater pleasure.
- Gradual training and gradual progress: The Habit Curve - The Buddha’s gradual training guidelines shared with the science of habit building. It is by gradual practice of these, one sees gradual progress in training of the mind.