Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 18
The Forest of Material Existence: Jaḍa Bharata Instructs King Rahūgaṇa
द्रुमेषु रंस्यन् सुतदारवत्सलो व्यवायदीनो विवश: स्वबन्धने । क्वचित्प्रमादाद् गिरिकन्दरे पतन् वल्लीं गृहीत्वा गजभीत आस्थित: ॥ १८ ॥
drumeṣu raṁsyan suta-dāra-vatsalo vyavāya-dīno vivaśaḥ sva-bandhane kvacit pramādād giri-kandare patan vallīṁ gṛhītvā gaja-bhīta āsthitaḥ
When the living being becomes like a monkey leaping from branch to branch, he remains in the tree of household life with no gain but sex, helpless within his own bondage. Sometimes, through heedlessness, he falls into a mountain cave like an incurable disease; fearing death, like an elephant lurking behind that cave, he clings to the twigs of a vine and is left stranded.
The precarious condition of a householder’s life is described herein. A householder’s life is full of misery, and the only attraction is sex with the wife who kicks him during sexual intercourse, just as the she-ass does her mate. Due to continuous sex life, he falls victim to many incurable diseases. At that time, being afraid of death, which is like an elephant, he remains hanging from the twigs and branches of the tree, just like a monkey.
FAQs
This verse describes how excessive affection for spouse and children, combined with indulgence in sense pleasure, makes a person helplessly bound in self-created material bondage.
The imagery conveys overwhelming, sudden terror in material life—when one slips due to negligence, he clings desperately for survival, haunted by powerful dangers beyond his control.
Moderate sense enjoyment, avoid negligence, and cultivate spiritual priorities—otherwise comfort-based life can quickly turn into anxiety and dependence when circumstances collapse.