Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 18
Nārada’s Protection of Kayādhu and Prahlāda’s Womb-Instructions: Ātma-tattva and the Path of Bhakti
जन्माद्या: षडिमे भावा दृष्टा देहस्य नात्मन: । फलानामिव वृक्षस्य कालेनेश्वरमूर्तिना ॥ १८ ॥
janmādyāḥ ṣaḍ ime bhāvā dṛṣṭā dehasya nātmanaḥ phalānām iva vṛkṣasya kāleneśvara-mūrtinā
যেমন গাছের ফল-ফুল সময়ের ক্রমে ছয় পরিবর্তন—জন্ম, স্থিতি, বৃদ্ধি, রূপান্তর, ক্ষয় ও মৃত্যু—ভোগ করে, তেমনি এই জড় দেহও তেমন পরিবর্তিত হয়; কিন্তু আত্মার কোনো এমন পরিবর্তন নেই।
This is a very important verse in understanding the difference between the spiritual soul and the material body. The soul is eternal, as stated in Bhagavad-gītā (2.20) :
FAQs
This verse explains that the six changes beginning with birth belong to the body, not to the eternal soul; they are driven by time (kāla).
Prahlada teaches that the inevitable changes of the body occur under kāla, which acts as a divine power of the Lord, reminding one to seek the timeless आत्मा and devotion rather than bodily identity.
Remember that aging, loss, and change affect the body, not the self; this supports steadiness, reduces anxiety, and strengthens bhakti by focusing life on the eternal Lord rather than temporary conditions.