Verified
Grammatical Analysis
Kāmarāga: [m.] Sensual desire; lust for sense pleasures. Formed by kāma (sense pleasure, sensuality) + rāga (lust, passionate attachment).
Orthodox Definition
Kāmarāga is the fourth of the Ten Fetters. While lobha is a general term for greed (which could include craving for existence or views), kāmarāga specifically designates the burning thirst for the five strands of sensual pleasure: forms, sounds, odors, tastes, and tactile sensations.
This fetter acts as the gravitational pull keeping beings anchored to the sensual realm (kāmaloka). When a practitioner achieves Stream-entry (Sotāpatti), they destroy the view of self, but kāmarāga remains active. At the second stage, Once-Return (Sakadāgāmī), kāmarāga is severely weakened but not destroyed. It is only at the third stage of awakening, Non-Return (Anāgāmī), that sensual desire is permanently and utterly eradicated. An Anāgāmī can never again experience a single moment of sexual lust or desire for worldly comforts.
Quote
Saṃyojanagocchakaṃ
Cluster on FettersKatame dhammā saṃyojanā?
Which phenomena are fetters (saṃyojanā)?Dasa saṃyojanāni – kāmarāgasaṃyojanaṃ, paṭighasaṃyojanaṃ, mānasaṃyojanaṃ, diṭṭhisaṃyojanaṃ, vicikicchāsaṃyojanaṃ, sīlabbataparāmāsasaṃyojanaṃ, bhavarāgasaṃyojanaṃ, issāsaṃyojanaṃ, macchariyasaṃyojanaṃ, avijjāsaṃyojanaṃ.
The ten fetters: the fetter of sensual craving, the fetter of ill-will, the fetter of conceit, the fetter of wrong view, the fetter of doubt, the fetter of clinging to precepts and vows, the fetter of craving for existence, the fetter of envy, the fetter of avarice, the fetter of ignorance.Kāmarāgasaṃyojanaṃ aṭṭhasu lobhasahagatesu cittuppādesu uppajjati.
The fetter of sensual craving arises in the eight consciousnesses accompanied by greed.— Dhammasaṅgaṇī (pa)