What good are desires, if the self is not gone? They only multiply cravings, to no good end.

This profound couplet asks, what's the real benefit if we haven't first overcome our own inner self or ego? It suggests that without conquering our internal obstacles and attachments, all our external efforts and pursuits are in vain. In fact, if we don't address our inner desires and self-centeredness, our actions only lead to an endless multiplication of more desires. True satisfaction and purpose come not from accumulating more, but from transcending the 'I' and 'mine' that drive those desires. It's a call to look inwards, emphasizing self-realization as the foundation for any meaningful endeavor.