Shloka 21
कदाचिदटमाना सा ब्रह्मलोकान्महीं गतम् । वव्रे बृहद्व्रतं मां तु जानती काममोहिता ॥ २१ ॥
kadācid aṭamānā sā brahma-lokān mahīṁ gatam vavre bṛhad-vrataṁ māṁ tu jānatī kāma-mohitā
ذات مرة نزلتُ إلى الأرض من برهمالوك. حينئذٍ لقيتني كالاكنيا، ابنة الزمان التي كانت تجوب أرجاء الكون. ولما علمت أني برهمتشاري ذو نذر ثابت، غلبها الهوى واقترحت أن أقبلها.
The great sage Nārada Muni was a naiṣṭhika-brahmacārī — that is, he never had sex life. He was consequently an ever-green youth. Old age, jarā, could not attack him. The invalidity of old age can overcome an ordinary man, but Nārada Muni was different. Taking Nārada Muni to be an ordinary man, the daughter of Time confronted him with her lusty desire. It requires great strength to resist a woman’s attraction. It is difficult for old men, and what to speak of young. Those who live as brahmacārīs must follow in the footsteps of the great sage Nārada Muni, who never accepted the proposals of Jarā. Those who are too much sexually addicted become victims of jarā, and very soon their life span is shortened. Without utilizing the human form of life for Kṛṣṇa consciousness, the victims of jarā die very soon in this world.
FAQs
This verse shows that kāma can bewilder even those who recognize virtue, impelling a person to act against good judgment—therefore self-control and spiritual vows are essential.
Because she was kāma-mohitā—overpowered by lust—so desire eclipsed her awareness of his disciplined commitment.
Recognize that desire can override values; protect yourself with boundaries, disciplined habits, and devotional focus (bhakti) to keep the mind steady.