And who indulges in intoxicating drinks — here and now in this world they dig up their own root.

Surāmerayapānañca yo naro anuyuñjati — one who indulges in drink: surā are fermented liquors; meraya are distilled spirits. Anuyuñjati is to pursue, to engage in. This is the fifth prohibition of pañcasīla.

Idhevameso lokasmiṃ mūlaṃ khaṇati attano — here and now in this world one digs up one’s own root: mūla is root; khaṇati is to dig, excavate. The image is potent: the transgressor digs their own root — uproots themselves, tears themselves from their own foundation.

The enumeration of the five transgressions (246-247) functions as diagnosis: one who commits these five actions need not wait for the next rebirth to suffer consequences. “Here and now” (idheva) — in this very life — destruction begins.

Intoxication receives special mention as the fifth because it is the gateway to the other four: under alcohol’s influence, other prohibitions are more easily violated.