Shloka 14
Kapila’s Analysis of Materialistic Life, Death, and the Path to Hell
Kāla, Karma, and Yamadūtas
तत्राप्यजातनिर्वेदो भ्रियमाण: स्वयम्भृतै: । जरयोपात्तवैरूप्यो मरणाभिमुखो गृहे ॥ १४ ॥
tatrāpy ajāta-nirvedo bhriyamāṇaḥ svayam bhṛtaiḥ jarayopātta-vairūpyo maraṇābhimukho gṛhe
Yet he does not grow disenchanted with household life, though he is now maintained by those he once maintained. Disfigured by old age, he remains at home, facing the approach of death.
Family attraction is so strong that even if one is neglected by family members in his old age, he cannot give up family affection, and he remains at home just like a dog. In the Vedic way of life one has to give up family life when he is strong enough. It is advised that before getting too weak and being baffled in material activities, and before becoming diseased, one should give up family life and engage oneself completely in the service of the Lord for the remaining days of his life. Therefore it is enjoined in the Vedic scriptures that as soon as one passes fifty years of age, he must give up family life and live alone in the forest. After preparing himself fully, he should become a sannyāsī to distribute the knowledge of spiritual life to each and every home.
FAQs
This verse says that even when old age disfigures the body and death is near, a person may still fail to develop detachment, remaining bound to home and habit.
Kapila explains that one becomes driven by self-created karmic burdens—responsibilities, attachments, and consequences of one’s own choices—which then pull the person forward even against better judgment.
Reflect regularly on time, aging, and death, and redirect life toward bhakti and spiritual practice so detachment grows by wisdom rather than by forced suffering.