Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 58
Citraketu’s Detachment, Nārada’s Mantra, and the Darśana of Anantadeva
लब्ध्वेह मानुषीं योनिं ज्ञानविज्ञानसम्भवाम् । आत्मानं यो न बुद्ध्येत न क्वचित्क्षेममाप्नुयात् ॥ ५८ ॥
labdhveha mānuṣīṁ yoniṁ jñāna-vijñāna-sambhavām ātmānaṁ yo na buddhyeta na kvacit kṣemam āpnuyāt
Selbst wenn man die menschliche Geburt erlangt, aus der jñāna und vijñāna erwachsen können, wird derjenige, der sein wahres Selbst nicht erkennt, nirgends das höchste Heil erlangen.
This statement is confirmed in Caitanya-caritāmṛta ( Ādi 9.41) . Lord Caitanya said:
FAQs
This verse states that human birth is meant for jñāna and vijñāna—spiritual knowledge and realized wisdom—and that without understanding the self, one cannot attain real welfare anywhere.
Śukadeva Gosvāmī speaks this verse while narrating to King Parīkṣit, emphasizing the unique opportunity of human life for self-realization.
Use human life intentionally: study authentic śāstra, practice sādhana (hearing, chanting, remembrance), and cultivate self-inquiry so that knowledge becomes realized wisdom rather than mere information.