One whose immorality is extreme, like a creeper that wraps around the sal tree, does to themselves what an enemy would wish for them.

Yassa accantadussīlyaṃ — one whose immorality is extreme: accanta is total, extreme; dussīlya is lack of virtue, immoral conduct. Not occasional moral failing but corrupt character that pervades an entire life.

Māluvā sālamivotthataṃ — like a creeper that wraps around the sal tree: māluvā is the parasitic plant, the liana. The sāla (Shorea robusta) is a noble and strong tree of India. The creeper embraces it, covers it, eventually strangles it. The parasitic plant does not destroy suddenly: it does so gradually, embracing.

Karoti so tathattānaṃ yathā naṃ icchatī diso — does to themselves what an enemy would wish for them: diso is the enemy. Self-destruction through lack of virtue is exactly what an enemy would wish to happen to you. You do not need external enemies when your own immorality destroys you more efficiently than any adversary.

This verse closes the vagga on the self with the image of self-destruction through immorality. The self is its own lord (160), its own purifier (161) and, if not cared for, its own destroyer.