成唯識論述記 3.607

3.607

述曰：暴謂卒暴，即汎暴水。前能引後，名曰非常；後水續前，稱為非斷。生人天喻飄，居惡趣如溺，本識能持業煩惱等漂溺有情，以水為喻。

The Commentary states: "Torrential" means sudden and violent, namely, overflowing floodwaters. The earlier's ability to draw forth the later is called "not permanent"; the later water's continuing the earlier is called "not discontinuous." Being born among humans and devas is compared to floating; abiding in the bad destinies is like drowning. The root consciousness is able to hold karma and afflictions, floating and drowning sentient beings; water is taken as the metaphor.