Shloka 6
The Lord’s Supervision of Embodiment: Fetal Development, Womb-Suffering, and the Jīva’s Prayer (Garbha-stuti) — and the Trap of Māyā
कृमिभि: क्षतसर्वाङ्ग: सौकुमार्यात्प्रतिक्षणम् । मूर्च्छामाप्नोत्युरुक्लेशस्तत्रत्यै: क्षुधितैर्मुहु: ॥ ६ ॥
kṛmibhiḥ kṣata-sarvāṅgaḥ saukumāryāt pratikṣaṇam mūrcchām āpnoty uru-kleśas tatratyaiḥ kṣudhitair muhuḥ
Bitten again and again over the whole body by the hungry worms within the womb, the child—so tender—endures dreadful agony, and in that terrible condition falls unconscious moment after moment.
The miserable condition of material existence is not only felt when we come out of the womb of the mother, but is also present within the womb. Miserable life begins from the moment the living entity begins to contact his material body. Unfortunately, we forget this experience and do not take the miseries of birth very seriously. In Bhagavad-gītā, therefore, it is specifically mentioned that one should be very alert to understand the specific difficulties of birth and death. Just as during the formation of this body we have to pass through so many difficulties within the womb of the mother, at the time of death there are also many difficulties. As described in the previous chapter, one has to transmigrate from one body to another, and the transmigration into the bodies of dogs and hogs is especially miserable. But despite such miserable conditions, due to the spell of māyā we forget everything and become enamored by the present so-called happiness, which is described as actually no more than a counteraction to distress.
FAQs
In Canto 3, Chapter 31, this verse describes the embryo’s intense pain in the womb—its tender body being wounded and repeatedly bitten by hungry creatures—highlighting the harshness of material existence.
Śukadeva speaks to Mahārāja Parīkṣit to awaken detachment and spiritual urgency by showing how the jīva suffers due to karma even before birth, encouraging sincere pursuit of liberation and devotion.
Reflecting on the unavoidable suffering of saṁsāra can reduce complacency, strengthen vairāgya, and motivate steady bhakti—regular hearing, chanting, and living with compassion and restraint.