The fish of the mind does not separate itself from the waters of worldly desires even for a single moment. Because of this, it has to endure severe suffering, repeatedly taking birth in countless life-forms.

In this verse, the poet compares our mind to a fish and worldly pleasures to water. Just as a fish cannot survive without water, our restless mind refuses to stay away from sensory desires even for a single moment. It remains completely immersed in temporary attachments. Because of this deep clinging, the soul stays trapped in the relentless cycle of birth and death, enduring immense hardship across countless lifetimes. The couplet gently reminds us that true inner peace cannot come from feeding endless cravings. To find lasting freedom and relief from suffering, we must learn to detach the mind from worldly illusions and anchor it in something higher and eternal.