Shloka 7
सन्दह्यमानसर्वाङ्ग एषामुद्वहनाधिना । करोत्यविरतं मूढो दुरितानि दुराशय: ॥ ७ ॥
sandahyamāna-sarvāṅga eṣām udvahanādhinā karoty avirataṁ mūḍho duritāni durāśayaḥ
Though scorched in every limb by anxiety from bearing the burden of maintaining his family, the fool, with hope that will never be fulfilled, ceaselessly commits sinful deeds.
It is said that it is easier to maintain a great empire than to maintain a small family, especially in these days, when the influence of Kali-yuga is so strong that everyone is harassed and full of anxieties because of accepting the false presentation of māyā’s family. The family we maintain is created by māyā; it is the perverted reflection of the family in Kṛṣṇaloka. In Kṛṣṇaloka there are also family, friends, society, father and mother; everything is there, but they are eternal. Here, as we change bodies, our family relationships also change. Sometimes we are in a family of human beings, sometimes in a family of demigods, sometimes a family of cats, or sometimes a family of dogs. Family, society and friendship are flickering, and so they are called asat. It is said that as long as we are attached to this asat, temporary, nonexisting society and family, we are always full of anxieties. The materialists do not know that the family, society and friendship here in this material world are only shadows, and thus they become attached. Naturally their hearts are always burning, but in spite of all inconvenience, they still work to maintain such false families because they have no information of the real family association with Kṛṣṇa.
FAQs
Bhagavatam 3.30.7 says that even while being ‘burned’ by the burden of maintaining dependents and possessions, a deluded person—driven by futile desires—keeps performing sinful acts without stopping.
Kapila highlights the intense anxiety and exhaustion caused by material maintenance, showing how attachment and pressure can push one deeper into adharma instead of toward liberation.
Recognize when stress and attachment are driving unethical choices; simplify desires, practice self-control, and orient work toward dharma and devotion rather than endless, fear-based maintenance.