As fire is obscured by smoke and a mirror by dirt, as an embryo is veiled by its caul, so is knowledge obscured by this.

(38) As fire is swathed in smoke, as a mirror is [fouled] by grime, as an embryo is all covered up by the membrane envelope, so is this [world] obscured by that.

3.38 As fire is enveloped by smoke, as a mirror by dirt, and as a fetus remains enclosed in the womb, so in this shrouded by that.

3.38 As a fire is enveloped by smoke, as a mirror is covered by dust, and as an embryo is encased in the membrane, so is this (world) enveloped by it (desire).

3.38 As fire is enveloped by smoke, as a mirror by dust, and as an embryo by the amnion, so is this enveloped by that.