Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 9
The Forest of Material Existence (Saṁsāra-vana) and the Delivering Path of Bharata’s Teachings
क्वचिच्च वात्यौपम्यया प्रमदयाऽऽरोहमारोपितस्तत्कालरजसा रजनीभूत इवासाधुमर्यादो रजस्वलाक्षोऽपि दिग्देवता अतिरजस्वलमतिर्न विजानाति ॥ ९ ॥
kvacic ca vātyaupamyayā pramadayāroham āropitas tat-kāla-rajasā rajanī-bhūta ivāsādhu-maryādo rajas-valākṣo ’pi dig-devatā atirajas-vala-matir na vijānāti.
Manchmal, als wäre sie vom Staub eines Wirbelsturms geblendet, erliegt die bedingte Seele der Schönheit des anderen Geschlechts, die pramadā genannt wird. Dann wird sie auf den Schoß einer Frau gehoben, und in diesem Augenblick überwältigt die Kraft der Leidenschaft ihren guten Verstand und ihre Sinne. Von Begierde fast blind, missachtet sie die Regeln des geschlechtlichen Lebens; sie weiß nicht, dass die Devas der Himmelsrichtungen Zeugen sind, und in der Tiefe der Nacht genießt sie unerlaubten Verkehr, ohne die künftige Strafe zu sehen.
In Bhagavad-gītā (7.11) it is said: dharmāviruddho bhūteṣu kāmo ’smi bharatarṣabha. Sex is allowed only for the begetting of children, not for enjoyment. One can indulge in sex to beget a good child for the benefit of the family, society and world. Otherwise, sex is against the rules and regulations of religious life. A materialistic person does not believe that everything is managed in nature, and he does not know that if one does something wrong, he is witnessed by different demigods. A person enjoys illicit sex, and due to his blind, lusty desire, he thinks that no one can see him, but this illicit sex is thoroughly observed by the agents of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Therefore the person is punished in so many ways. Presently in Kali-yuga there are many pregnancies due to illicit sex, and sometimes abortions ensue. These sinful activities are witnessed by the agents of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and a man and woman who create such a situation are punished in the future by the stringent laws of material nature ( daivī hy eṣā guṇa-mayī mama māyā duratyayā ). Illicit sex is never excused, and those who indulge in it are punished life after life. As confirmed in Bhagavad-gītā (16.20) :
FAQs
This verse says that when rajas surges like a whirlwind, it throws a person into delusion; even with open eyes he cannot recognize what is right, losing discrimination and proper conduct.
He is illustrating how momentary passion covers consciousness like dust, creating ‘night’ in the heart—so the soul forgets dharma and cannot perceive higher guidance.
Notice when agitation and impulsive desire rise, pause before acting, and re-anchor the mind in sāttvika habits—especially hearing and chanting about Bhagavān, which restores clarity and self-control.