Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 11
Nimi Questions the Yogendras: Varṇāśrama’s Purpose, Ritualism’s Fall, and Yuga-Avatāras with Kali-yuga Saṅkīrtana
लोके व्यवायामिषमद्यसेवा नित्या हि जन्तोर्न हि तत्र चोदना । व्यवस्थितिस्तेषु विवाहयज्ञ- सुराग्रहैरासु निवृत्तिरिष्टा ॥ ११ ॥
loke vyavāyāmiṣa-madya-sevā nityā hi jantor na hi tatra codanā vyavasthitis teṣu vivāha-yajña surā-grahair āsu nivṛttir iṣṭā
In dieser Welt neigt die bedingte Seele stets zu Sex, Fleischgenuss und Rausch; daher fördern die Schriften dies nicht wirklich. Die Regelungen —Sex in heiliger Ehe, Fleisch durch Opfer im Yajña und Wein durch rituelle Becher— sollen letztlich zur Entsagung führen.
Those who are not situated in pure Kṛṣṇa consciousness are always inclined toward material sense gratification in the form of illicit sex, meat-eating and intoxication. They simply desire a party life of eat, drink and be merry. Such materialistic persons are unwilling to give up such temporary gratification because they are firmly bound up in the bodily concept of life. For such persons there are numerous Vedic injunctions for rituals that bestow material sense pleasure in a regulated manner. The conditioned soul thereby becomes accustomed to indirectly worshiping the Supreme Lord by accepting the austerity of regulated sense gratification in obedience to the Vedic way of life. Through purification the living entity gradually develops a higher taste and becomes directly attracted to the spiritual nature of the Lord.
FAQs
This verse says these tendencies arise naturally in conditioned life, so scripture does not promote them; instead it regulates them (e.g., marriage, sacrifice, controlled intake) to help one gradually give them up.
He is teaching that dharma is meant for purification: social and ritual regulations restrain lower impulses and guide a person toward detachment and spiritual advancement.
Adopt discipline around strong impulses—commitment in relationships, moderation, and accountable habits—so the mind becomes calmer and you can steadily cultivate bhakti and inner renunciation.