Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 45
Ikṣvāku Dynasty: Vikukṣi’s Offense, Purañjaya’s Victory, Māndhātā’s Birth, and Saubhari’s Fall and Renunciation
स बह्वऋचस्ताभिरपारणीय- तप:श्रियानर्घ्यपरिच्छदेषु । गृहेषु नानोपवनामलाम्भ:- सरस्सु सौगन्धिककाननेषु ॥ ४५ ॥ महार्हशय्यासनवस्त्रभूषण- स्नानानुलेपाभ्यवहारमाल्यकै: । स्वलङ्कृत स्त्रीपुरुषेषु नित्यदा रेमेऽनुगायद्द्विजभृङ्गवन्दिषु ॥ ४६ ॥
sa bahv-ṛcas tābhir apāraṇīya- tapaḥ-śriyānarghya-paricchadeṣu gṛheṣu nānopavanāmalāmbhaḥ- saraḥsu saugandhika-kānaneṣu
Weil Saubhari Muni, der bahvṛca, die Mantras vollkommen zu rezitieren verstand, brachte der Glanz seiner strengen Askese ein überaus prunkvolles Heim hervor: Gewänder und Schmuck, wohlgekleidete und geschmückte Dienerinnen und Diener sowie vielfältige Parks mit klaren Seen und duftenden Gärten. In den Gärten, erfüllt vom Wohlgeruch der Blumen, erklangen Vogelrufe und das Summen der Bienen, umgeben vom Gesang berufener Sänger. Sein Haus war reich ausgestattet mit kostbaren Betten und Sitzen, Badevorkehrungen, Sandelholzsalben, Blumengirlanden und wohlschmeckenden Speisen. So von Pracht umgeben, ergötzte sich der Muni im häuslichen Leben mit seinen zahlreichen Gemahlinnen.
Saubhari Ṛṣi was a great yogī. Yogic perfection makes available eight material opulences — aṇimā, laghimā, mahimā, prāpti, prākāmya, īśitva, vaśitva and kāmāvasāyitā. Saubhari Muni exhibited superexcellence in material enjoyment by dint of his yogic perfection. The word bahv-ṛca means “expert in chanting mantras. ” As material opulence can be achieved by ordinary material means, it can also be achieved by subtle means through mantras. By chanting mantras, Saubhari Muni arranged for material opulence, but this was not perfection in life. As will be seen, Saubhari Muni became very dissatisfied with material opulence and thus left everything and reentered the forest in the vānaprastha order and achieved final success. Those who are not ātma-tattva-vit, who do not know the spiritual value of life, can be satisfied with external material opulences, but those who are ātma-tattva-vit are not inspired by material opulence. This is the instruction we can derive from the life and activities of Saubhari Muni.
FAQs
This verse links “tapaḥ-śrī” (the glory born of austerity) with extraordinary prosperity and refined surroundings, showing that disciplined spiritual power can manifest as opulence without negating dharma.
Here opulence is presented as an effect of merit and austerity within dharma; the Bhagavatam often contrasts such worldly excellence with the higher aim of God-centered life, teaching proper detachment and purpose.
Adopt steady disciplines—truthfulness, regulated habits, and sacred study—so that inner strength and clarity arise; any success that follows can be used responsibly rather than for mere indulgence.