Srimad Bhagavatam — Prathama Skandha, Shloka 7
Nārada’s Past Life, the Lord’s Brief Vision, and the Power of Kīrtana
सास्वतन्त्रा न कल्पासीद्योगक्षेमं ममेच्छती । ईशस्य हि वशे लोको योषा दारुमयी यथा ॥ ७ ॥
sāsvatantrā na kalpāsīd yoga-kṣemaṁ mamecchatī īśasya hi vaśe loko yoṣā dārumayī yathā
She wanted to look after my maintenance properly, but because she was not independent, she was not able to do anything for me. The world is under the full control of the Supreme Lord; therefore everyone is like a wooden doll in the hands of a puppet master.
FAQs
This verse states that the world remains under the Lord’s control, and a living being is not truly independent—like a wooden doll moved by another—so one should rely on the Lord rather than egoistic self-sufficiency.
While recounting his previous life and growth in devotion, Nārada admits that despite personal desires for “yoga-kṣema” (security and comfort), he could not control outcomes—everything moved according to the Lord’s will.
Do your duties responsibly, but reduce anxiety by remembering outcomes are governed by the Lord; cultivate prayer, bhakti, and humility, and measure success by sincerity in devotion rather than total control over results.