Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 52
Ikṣvāku Dynasty: Vikukṣi’s Offense, Purañjaya’s Victory, Māndhātā’s Birth, and Saubhari’s Fall and Renunciation
एकस्तपस्व्यहमथाम्भसि मत्स्यसङ्गात् पञ्चाशदासमुत पञ्चसहस्रसर्ग: । नान्तं व्रजाम्युभयकृत्यमनोरथानां मायागुणैर्हृतमतिर्विषयेऽर्थभाव: ॥ ५२ ॥
ekas tapasvy aham athāmbhasi matsya-saṅgāt pañcāśad āsam uta pañca-sahasra-sargaḥ nāntaṁ vrajāmy ubhaya-kṛtya-manorathānāṁ māyā-guṇair hṛta-matir viṣaye ’rtha-bhāvaḥ
In the beginning I was alone and engaged in performing the austerities of mystic yoga, but later, because of the association of fish engaged in sex, I desired to marry. Then I became the husband of fifty wives, and in each of them I begot one hundred sons, and thus my family increased to five thousand members. By the influence of the modes of material nature, I became fallen and thought that I would be happy in material life. Thus there is no end to my material desires for enjoyment, in this life and the next.
FAQs
This verse warns that even a tapasvī can become bound when association awakens desire; māyā’s modes then steal discernment and make sense-objects appear supremely meaningful.
It is a vivid example showing how seemingly small contact can trigger deep entanglement—desire multiplies, time is consumed, and one forgets the true spiritual aim.
Choose uplifting association, limit sense-driven inputs, and regularly re-anchor the mind in bhakti practices so that māyā does not redirect life into endless plans and cravings.