Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 18
Chapter 19
कर्मणां परिणामित्वाद् आ-विरिञ्च्याद् अमङ्गलम् ।
विपश्चिन् नश्वरं पश्येद् अदृष्टम् अपि दृष्ट-वत् ॥
karmaṇāṃ pariṇāmitvād ā-viriñcyād amaṅgalam / vipaścin naśvaraṃ paśyed adṛṣṭam api dṛṣṭa-vat //
Weil die Ergebnisse des Karma unweigerlich wandelbar sind, endet alles in dieser Welt—vom niedrigsten Zustand bis zu Brahmā—letztlich im Unheilvollen. Darum sieht der Einsichtige selbst das noch Unsichtbare wie schon gesehen: alle solchen Errungenschaften sind vergänglich.
Continuing the theme of mature wisdom, Lord Kṛṣṇa explains why detachment is rational and spiritually healthy. Karma, by nature, produces results that change (pariṇāmitva). Even when a person gains wealth, status, heavenly pleasure, or high cosmic birth, those results are time-bound and eventually reverse. Thus, within the realm of karma, even the greatest elevation—up to the post of Viriñci (Brahmā)—remains within saṃsāra and therefore cannot be the final auspicious goal. The term “amaṅgala” here points to the unavoidable shadow over all material success: fear of loss, decay, and death. The vipaścit (one with clear insight) does not need to wait for personal tragedy to learn this lesson. He sees “adṛṣṭam api dṛṣṭa-vat”—the unseen future consequence as though already witnessed. This is not pessimism; it is spiritual realism. In the Bhāgavata’s devotional conclusion, such foresight redirects the heart toward what does not perish: service to Bhagavān. When one understands the fragility of karmic achievements, one naturally seeks shelter in Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet, where life becomes truly maṅgala (auspicious). Detachment, then, is not a rejection of responsibility, but a re-centering of purpose—from temporary rewards to eternal bhakti.
FAQs
Yes. This verse states that within the realm of karma, everything—from ordinary conditions up to Brahmā’s position—remains perishable and thus not the final auspicious goal.
Because karmic achievements inevitably change and end; they carry the certainty of loss, fear, and death, so they cannot grant lasting fulfillment or liberation.
A vipaścit anticipates impermanence—seeing future loss before it arrives—and therefore invests life in lasting spiritual practice, especially bhakti, rather than chasing temporary rewards.