The following quotes talk about consciousness. Through relishing, intending or having underlying tendencies, consciousness would grow, increase, mature, land, establish.
What does growth, increase, maturing, landing and establishing of consciousness mean in this case?
Are these simply different ways of talking about craving and clinging?
Or is there another interpretation?
When it comes to relishing, it sounds like the craving and clinging of sensual pleasures (kama) based on sensations that are cognized (based on SN 22.79's statement that consciousness is that which cognizes).
When it comes to intending, it sounds like the craving and clinging of becoming (bhava) based on mental ideas that are cognized (based on SN 22.79's statement that consciousness is that which cognizes).
From SN 22.53:
As long as consciousness remains, it would remain involved with form, supported by form, founded on form. And with a sprinkle of relishing, it would grow, increase, and mature.
Rūpupayaṃ vā, bhikkhave, viññāṇaṃ tiṭṭhamānaṃ tiṭṭheyya, rūpārammaṇaṃ rūpappatiṭṭhaṃ nandūpasecanaṃ vuddhiṃ virūḷhiṃ vepullaṃ āpajjeyya.
And the same applies to other aggregates apart from form.
From SN 12.38:
“Mendicants, what you intend or plan, and what you have underlying tendencies for become a support for the continuation of consciousness.
“Yañca, bhikkhave, ceteti yañca pakappeti yañca anuseti, ārammaṇametaṃ hoti viññāṇassa ṭhitiyā.When this support exists, consciousness becomes established.
Ārammaṇe sati patiṭṭhā viññāṇassa hoti.When consciousness is established and grows, there is rebirth into a new state of existence in the future.
Tasmiṃ patiṭṭhite viññāṇe virūḷhe āyatiṃ punabbhavābhinibbatti hoti.
As an additional reference from SN 22.79:
“And why, bhikkhus, do you call it consciousness? ‘It cognizes, ’ bhikkhus, therefore it is called consciousness. And what does it cognize? It cognizes sour, it cognizes bitter, it cognizes pungent, it cognizes sweet, it cognizes sharp, it cognizes mild, it cognizes salty, it cognizes bland. ‘It cognizes,’ bhikkhus, therefore it is called consciousness.