Shloka 38
Varṣā-Śarad Vṛndāvana-Śobha: The Beauty of the Rainy and Autumn Seasons in Vraja
गाधवारिचरास्तापमविन्दञ्छरदर्कजम् । यथा दरिद्र: कृपण: कुटुम्ब्यविजितेन्द्रिय: ॥ ३८ ॥
gādha-vāri-carās tāpam avindañ charad-arka-jam yathā daridraḥ kṛpaṇaḥ kuṭumby avijitendriyaḥ
The fish in the shallow water suffered the heat born of the autumn sun, just as a poor, miserly family man—unable to conquer his senses—must suffer.
Although, as described in the previous verse, unintelligent fish are not aware of the diminishing water, one may think these fish are still happy according to the old proverb “Ignorance is bliss.” But even the ignorant fish are scorched by the autumn sun. Similarly, although an attached family man may consider his ignorance of spiritual life blissful, he is constantly disturbed by the problems of family life, and, indeed, his uncontrolled senses lead him into a situation of unrelieved anguish.
FAQs
This verse teaches that one who cannot conquer the senses remains scorched by distress, finding no true relief—whereas inner discipline brings genuine cooling and peace.
While describing the autumn season in Vraja, Śukadeva uses a moral analogy: external conditions may change, but without self-control and generosity of heart, a person’s inner ‘heat’ of anxiety continues.
Reduce sense-driven habits (overconsumption, addiction, impulsive pleasure-seeking) and cultivate restraint and simplicity; otherwise material life keeps producing recurring stress despite temporary comforts.