Shloka 48
Ikṣvāku Dynasty: Vikukṣi’s Offense, Purañjaya’s Victory, Māndhātā’s Birth, and Saubhari’s Fall and Renunciation
एवं गृहेष्वभिरतो विषयान् विविधै: सुखै: । सेवमानो न चातुष्यदाज्यस्तोकैरिवानल: ॥ ४८ ॥
evaṁ gṛheṣv abhirato viṣayān vividhaiḥ sukhaiḥ sevamāno na cātuṣyad ājya-stokair ivānalaḥ
Thus Saubhari Muni indulged in many kinds of sense pleasure within household life, yet he was never satisfied—just as a fire will not cease blazing when continually fed with drops of ghee.
Material desire is just like a blazing fire. If a fire is continually supplied with drops of fat, the fire will increase more and more and never be extinguished. Therefore the policy of trying to satisfy material desires by catering to one’s material demands will never be successful. In modern civilization, everyone is engaged in economic development, which is another way of constantly dropping fat into the material fire. The Western countries have reached the summit of material civilization, but people are still dissatisfied. Real satisfaction is Kṛṣṇa consciousness. This is confirmed in Bhagavad-gītā (5.29) , where Kṛṣṇa says:
FAQs
This verse states that even repeated enjoyment of many pleasures does not truly satisfy; desire increases like fire fed with ghee.
To show that sense gratification does not extinguish craving; like fire, it tends to grow when ‘fed,’ so inner fulfillment must come from a higher spiritual source.
Notice how indulgence often amplifies wants; practice moderation, cultivate contentment, and redirect attention to devotion and meaningful discipline rather than endless consumption.