Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 17
Lord Rāmacandra’s Charity, Sītā’s Departure, and the Lord’s Return to Vaikuṇṭha
स्त्रीपुंप्रसङ्ग एतादृक्सर्वत्र त्रासमावह: । अपीश्वराणां किमुत ग्राम्यस्य गृहचेतस: ॥ १७ ॥
strī-puṁ-prasaṅga etādṛk sarvatra trāsam-āvahaḥ apīśvarāṇāṁ kim uta grāmyasya gṛha-cetasaḥ
The attraction between man and woman, or male and female, always exists everywhere, making everyone always fearful. Such feelings are present even among the controllers like Brahmā and Lord Śiva and is the cause of fear for them, what to speak of others who are attached to household life in this material world.
As explained above, when the feelings of love and transcendental bliss from the spiritual world are pervertedly reflected in this material world, they are certainly the cause of bondage. As long as men feel attracted to women in this material world and women feel attracted to men, the bondage of repeated birth and death will continue. But in the spiritual world, where there is no fear of birth and death, such feelings of separation are the cause of transcendental bliss. In the absolute reality there are varieties of feeling, but all of them are of the same quality of transcendental bliss.
FAQs
This verse warns that intimate attachment between man and woman can create fear and spiritual danger everywhere, even for the self-controlled—so one should be vigilant and cultivate restraint and devotion.
While narrating the ideals of righteous rule and conduct, Śukadeva highlights how sense-attachment can destabilize dharma and spiritual focus, especially for those absorbed in worldly household consciousness.
Practice regulated living, fidelity, and mindful boundaries, and center relationships on dharma and bhakti—so affection supports spiritual growth rather than becoming uncontrolled attachment.