Yoga-yātrā Commentary

...explained by the suffixes. The word "and" denotes a collection. In this manner, one should know the ten vices original: "vyasana"; refers to calamities or addictions that distract a ruler of men (persons) which are born of desire original: "kāmaja"; arising from lust or longing, produced by the arising of desire and the like. A conqueror original: "vijigīṣu"; a king seeking victory who is possessed by these is ruined. (2) Now, describing the group arising from anger, he says: Harshness of speech, harshness of punishment, envy, malice, detraction, violence, and the spoiling of wealth—this is the well-known eight-fold group arising from anger original: "krodhodbhūta". (3) Harshness of speech original: "vākpāruṣya" means speaking unpleasantly or using cruel words. Harshness of punishment original: "daṇḍapāruṣya" refers to being severe with the hand or rod, or inflicting punishment that is disproportionate to the crime; one should only cast punishment according to the offense. Envy is jealousy toward the good qualities of others. Malice is the desire to kill or the destruction of trust. Detraction original: "asūyā" is the exposing of faults in others' virtues. Slander original: "paiśunya" is being an informer or backbiter. Violence original: "sāhasa" is performing an action without due reflection. Spoiling of wealth is said to be of two types: either the destruction of the objects themselves, or the useless giving of wealth at the wrong time or place, or to an unworthy recipient. Or, it is the destruction of the fruits of previous deeds, like cutting off a stream at its source. Thus, the group arising from anger is enumerated. A conqueror should be free from these faults. (3) Now he describes the faults of liquor original: "madya-doṣa":

This is a great abode of misconduct. Liquor original: "madya" takes away one's judgment; it destroys the memory of what is dear, as well as sorrow or joy, because it overpowers the senses and the inner being. From this, certain ruin follows. (4) The wise say that liquor is the great abode of these faults of misconduct. As it is said: "Better to be dead than to be a man deluded by liquor." Therefore, it destroys the body, wealth, intellect, generosity, courage, and health. When the mind is destroyed in the heart, one becomes obsessed with false appearances, and because the senses are conquered by it, one does not consider...

Deluded by intoxication
This refers to liquor. In that state, the senses, dominated by liquor, become intoxicated. He does not consider "fearless" or "fearful," nor does he distinguish between "approachable" and "unapproachable" refers to social or moral boundaries regarding women. There are five organs of action and five organs of perception; thus ten, and with the mind, they say there are eleven or twelve. As it is said: "The ear, skin, eyes, tongue, and nose are the five organs of perception; the mind is the sixth. The anus, genitals, hands, feet, and speech are the five organs of action; the mind is the sixth." Thus, under the influence of these eight faults, he does not distinguish between what should and should not be done, his own nature, what is inedible, or who is approachable or unapproachable. (4) Now he describes a specific detail:

Through the power of intoxication, he treats his wife like his mother, and his mother like his wife. He treats a foul place like a palace, and a palace like a foul place. He treats a small amount of water like a great ocean, and a donkey like himself. He treats a king like a friend. What else might a drunkard not do? (5)

A man, due to the power of intoxication, treats his mother (the one who gave birth) like a wife. The word "even" indicates the possibility. Likewise, he treats his wife (his own spouse) like a mother. In the palace (the home), he acts as if it were foul (unclean). In a house that is actually foul-smelling or made of loose stones, he acts as if it were a proper home. He treats a small amount of water like the great ocean. Due to the cause of intoxication, he treats a king (a sovereign) like a friend. What other inauspicious thing would a drunkard not do? Indeed, he might do everything. (5) First, he describes the excess of faults in a drunkard:

Even a king, having lost everything in gambling, does not feel the pain of his defeat; he may even feel a special kind of joy. Sometimes, after doing something foolish out of intoxication, they regret it, yet they drink again to forget the fault. (6)

A man who is defeated in gambling, out of a desire to win again, gambles further...