Shloka 15
The Lord’s Supervision of Embodiment: Fetal Development, Womb-Suffering, and the Jīva’s Prayer (Garbha-stuti) — and the Trap of Māyā
यन्माययोरुगुणकर्मनिबन्धनेऽस्मिन् सांसारिके पथि चरंस्तदभिश्रमेण । नष्टस्मृति: पुनरयं प्रवृणीत लोकं युक्त्या कया महदनुग्रहमन्तरेण ॥ १५ ॥
yan-māyayoru-guṇa-karma-nibandhane ’smin sāṁsārike pathi caraṁs tad-abhiśrameṇa naṣṭa-smṛtiḥ punar ayaṁ pravṛṇīta lokaṁ yuktyā kayā mahad-anugraham antareṇa
Under the Lord’s māyā, the living being walks the worldly path of bondage to many qualities and karmas, struggling hard until he forgets his relationship with the Supreme Lord and again chooses this cycle of existence. Therefore, without the Lord’s great mercy, by what means can he return to the Lord’s transcendental loving service?
The Māyāvādī philosophers say that simply by cultivation of knowledge by mental speculation, one can be liberated from the condition of material bondage. But here it is said one is liberated not by knowledge but by the mercy of the Supreme Lord. The knowledge the conditioned soul gains by mental speculation, however powerful it may be, is always too imperfect to approach the Absolute Truth. It is said that without the mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead one cannot understand Him or His actual form, quality and name. Those who are not in devotional service go on speculating for many, many thousands of years, but they are still unable to understand the nature of the Absolute Truth.
FAQs
This verse says the jīva is bound by māyā through guṇa and karma, and cannot truly choose the right path again merely by reasoning; liberation begins through the great mercy of saintly devotees (mahat-anugraha).
Because the conditioned soul becomes forgetful of his real identity while wandering in saṁsāra; Kapila teaches Devahūti that only the grace of advanced devotees can awaken genuine remembrance and turn one toward bhakti.
Seek regular association with sincere devotees, hear Bhagavatam from authentic sources, and accept guidance in daily practice—because self-help logic alone often cannot break deep habits formed by guṇa and karma.