Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 15
Priyavrata Accepts Kingship by Brahmā’s Instruction; Sapta-dvīpa Formation and Renunciation
ईशाभिसृष्टं ह्यवरुन्ध्महेऽङ्ग दु:खं सुखं वा गुणकर्मसङ्गात् । आस्थाय तत्तद्यदयुङ्क्त नाथ- श्चक्षुष्मतान्धा इव नीयमाना: ॥ १५ ॥
īśābhisṛṣṭaṁ hy avarundhmahe ’ṅga duḥkhaṁ sukhaṁ vā guṇa-karma-saṅgāt āsthāya tat tad yad ayuṅkta nāthaś cakṣuṣmatāndhā iva nīyamānāḥ
My dear Priyavrata, according to our association with the modes and with karma, the Supreme Lord bestows a particular body and the happiness or distress we meet. Therefore one should remain in the position allotted and be led by the Lord, just as a blind man is guided by one who has sight.
By material means, one cannot avoid the happiness and distress unique to his particular body. There are 8,400,000 bodily forms, each destined to enjoy and suffer a certain amount of happiness and distress. This we cannot change, for the happiness and distress are ordained by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, in accordance with whose decision we have received our bodies. Since we cannot avoid the plan of the Supreme Godhead, we must agree to be directed by Him, just as a blind man is led by a person who has eyes. Under any circumstances, if we remain in the condition allotted to us by the Supreme Lord and follow His instructions, we will become perfect. The main purpose of life is to follow the instructions of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. It is such instructions that constitute one’s religion or occupational duty.
FAQs
This verse explains that सुख (happiness) and दुःख (distress) come through association with the guṇas and karma, yet ultimately occur under the Lord’s arrangement (īśābhisṛṣṭam).
Ṛṣabhadeva was training his sons in spiritual maturity—teaching them to stop chasing temporary ups and downs and to live with surrender and steadiness while progressing toward devotion.
Do your duty responsibly, but accept outcomes without obsession—recognizing that results come through guṇa and karma under God’s sanction—then redirect your energy to steady sādhana and service.