Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 39
Parīkṣit’s Questions and the Prelude to Kṛṣṇa’s Advent
Earth’s Burden, Viṣṇu’s Order, and Kaṁsa’s Fear
देहे पञ्चत्वमापन्ने देही कर्मानुगोऽवश: । देहान्तरमनुप्राप्य प्राक्तनं त्यजते वपु: ॥ ३९ ॥
dehe pañcatvam āpanne dehī karmānugo ’vaśaḥ dehāntaram anuprāpya prāktanaṁ tyajate vapuḥ
When the present body turns to dust and is again reduced to five elements — earth, water, fire, air and ether — the proprietor of the body, the living being, automatically receives another body of material elements according to his fruitive activities. When the next body is obtained, he gives up the present body.
This is confirmed in Bhagavad-gītā, which presents the beginning of spiritual understanding.
FAQs
This verse explains that when the body dissolves back into the five elements, the soul continues on—carried by its karma—to accept another body, leaving the old one behind.
He establishes the philosophical foundation: beings are bound by karma and helplessly transmigrate, whereas Krishna’s advent and bhakti offer the true path beyond bondage.
Live with accountability—knowing actions shape future experience—and prioritize bhakti and sattvic conduct to reduce karmic entanglement and move toward liberation.