Shloka 8
The Forest of Material Existence: Jaḍa Bharata Instructs King Rahūgaṇa
चलन् क्वचित्कण्टकशर्कराङ्घ्रि- र्नगारुरुक्षुर्विमना इवास्ते । पदे पदेऽभ्यन्तरवह्निनार्दित: कौटुम्बिक: क्रुध्यति वै जनाय ॥ ८ ॥
calan kvacit kaṇṭaka-śarkarāṅghrir nagārurukṣur vimanā ivāste pade pade ’bhyantara-vahninārditaḥ kauṭumbikaḥ krudhyati vai janāya
Manchmal werden ihm beim Gehen die Füße von Dornen und Steinsplittern gestochen; er möchte Hügel und Berge erklimmen, doch mangels Schuhwerk bleibt er niedergeschlagen stehen. Und manchmal wird der Mensch, der stark an die Familie gebunden ist, vom inneren Feuer—Hunger und dergleichen—gequält und gerät aus seiner Misere heraus gegen die Seinen in Zorn.
The ambitious conditioned soul wants to be very happy in this material world with his family, but he is compared to a traveler in the forest who desires to climb a hill full of thorns and small stones. As stated in the previous verse, the happiness derived from society, friendship and love is like a drop of water in the scorching heat of the desert. One may want to become very great and powerful in society, but this is like attempting to climb a hill full of thorns. Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura compares one’s family to high mountains. Becoming happy in their association is like a hungry man’s endeavoring to climb a mountain full of thorns. Almost 99.9 percent of the population is unhappy in family life, despite all the attempts being made to satisfy the family members. In the Western countries, due to the dissatisfaction of the family members, there is actually no family life. There are many cases of divorce, and out of dissatisfaction the children leave the protection of their parents. Especially in this Age of Kali, family life is being reduced. Everyone is becoming self-centered because that is the law of nature. Even if one has sufficient money to maintain a family, the situation is such that no one is happy in family life. Consequently according to the varṇāśrama institution one has to retire from family life in middle age: pañcāśordhvaṁ vanaṁ vrajet. One should voluntarily retire from family life at the age of fifty and go to Vṛndāvana or a forest. This is recommended by Śrīla Prahlāda Mahārāja ( Bhāg. 7.5.5 ):
FAQs
This verse describes the householder as being burned by an inner fire of anxiety at every step, leading to frustration and anger toward others.
In the Jaḍa Bharata context, Śukadeva highlights how material striving brings repeated obstacles and mental agitation, showing the misery inherent in attachment-driven life.
Recognize anxiety as an internal fire fueled by attachment; reduce possessiveness, simplify desires, and cultivate devotional remembrance so reactions like anger do not control the mind.