Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 8
Ṛṣabhadeva’s Indifference to Siddhis, Vigilance Toward the Mind, and the Kali-yuga Rise of Anti-Vedic धर्म
अथ समीरवेगविधूतवेणुविकर्षणजातोग्रदावानलस्तद्वनमालेलिहान: सह तेन ददाह ॥ ८ ॥
atha samīra-vega-vidhūta-veṇu-vikarṣaṇa-jātogra-dāvānalas tad vanam ālelihānaḥ saha tena dadāha.
Während Er umherwanderte, brach ein wildes Waldfeuer aus. Dieses Feuer wurde durch die Reibung von Bambus verursacht, der vom Wind bewegt wurde. In diesem Feuer verbrannten der gesamte Wald in der Nähe von Kutakacala und der Körper von Herrn Rishabhadeva zu Asche.
Such a forest fire can burn the external bodies of animals, but Lord Ṛṣabhadeva was not burned, although He apparently seemed so. Lord Ṛṣabhadeva is the Supersoul of all living entities within the forest, and His soul is never burned by fire. As stated in Bhagavad-gītā, adāhyo ’yam — the soul is never burned by fire. Due to Lord Ṛṣabhadeva’s presence, all the animals in the forest were also liberated from material encagement.
FAQs
This verse depicts how, by the interaction of natural forces (wind and bamboo friction), a forest fire can arise and consume everything—illustrating how material arrangements can be swiftly destroyed and should not be relied upon for lasting security.
Śukadeva uses vivid events in nature to reinforce the mood of vairāgya (detachment): just as a forest can be burned in a moment, worldly enjoyment and possessions are fragile, urging one toward spiritual shelter.
Recognize impermanence: plan responsibly, but cultivate steady bhakti and inner detachment so that sudden changes—loss, crisis, uncertainty—do not break one’s spiritual focus.