Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 58
Citraketu’s Detachment, Nārada’s Mantra, and the Darśana of Anantadeva
लब्ध्वेह मानुषीं योनिं ज्ञानविज्ञानसम्भवाम् । आत्मानं यो न बुद्ध्येत न क्वचित्क्षेममाप्नुयात् ॥ ५८ ॥
labdhveha mānuṣīṁ yoniṁ jñāna-vijñāna-sambhavām ātmānaṁ yo na buddhyeta na kvacit kṣemam āpnuyāt
A human being can attain perfection in life by self-realization through the Vedic literature and its practical application. This is possible especially for a human being born in India, the land of piety. A man who obtains birth in such a convenient position but does not understand his self is unable to achieve the highest perfection, even if he is exalted to life in the higher planetary systems.
This statement is confirmed in Caitanya-caritāmṛta ( Ādi 9.41) . Lord Caitanya said:
FAQs
This verse states that human birth is meant for jñāna and vijñāna—spiritual knowledge and realized wisdom—and that without understanding the self, one cannot attain real welfare anywhere.
Śukadeva Gosvāmī speaks this verse while narrating to King Parīkṣit, emphasizing the unique opportunity of human life for self-realization.
Use human life intentionally: study authentic śāstra, practice sādhana (hearing, chanting, remembrance), and cultivate self-inquiry so that knowledge becomes realized wisdom rather than mere information.