Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 10
The Forest of Material Existence (Saṁsāra-vana) and the Delivering Path of Bharata’s Teachings
क्वचित्सकृदवगतविषयवैतथ्य: स्वयं पराभिध्यानेन विभ्रंशितस्मृतिस्तयैव मरीचितोयप्रायांस्तानेवाभिधावति ॥ १० ॥
kvacit sakṛd avagata-viṣaya-vaitathyaḥ svayaṁ parābhidhyānena vibhraṁśita-smṛtis tayaiva marīci-toya-prāyāṁs tān evābhidhāvati.
A veces el alma condicionada comprende por sí misma la inutilidad del goce sensorial y lo ve lleno de miserias. Sin embargo, por su fuerte identificación con el cuerpo, su memoria se extravía y una y otra vez corre tras el disfrute material, como un animal que persigue el agua de un espejismo en el desierto.
The main disease in material life is the bodily conception. Being baffled again and again in material activity, the conditioned soul temporarily thinks of the futility of material enjoyment, but he again tries the same thing. By the association of devotees, a person may become convinced of the material futility, but he cannot give up his engagement, although he is very eager to return home, back to Godhead. Under these circumstances, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is situated in everyone’s heart, compassionately takes away all the material possessions of such a devotee. As stated in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.88.8) : yasyāham anugṛhṇāmi hariṣye tad-dhanaṁ śanaiḥ. Lord Kṛṣṇa says that He takes everything away from the devotee whom He especially favors when that devotee is overly attached to material possessions. When everything is taken away, the devotee feels helpless and frustrated in society, friendship and love. He feels that his family does not care for him any longer, and he therefore completely surrenders unto the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord. This is a special favor granted by the Lord to a devotee who cannot fully surrender to the Lord due to a strong bodily conception. As explained in Caitanya-caritāmṛta ( Madhya 22.39) : āmi — vijña, ei mūrkhe ‘viṣaya’ kene diba. The Lord understands the devotee who hesitates to engage in the Lord’s service, not knowing whether he should again try to revive his material life. After repeated attempts and failures, he fully surrenders to the lotus feet of the Lord. The Lord then gives him directions, and, attaining happiness, he forgets all material engagement.
FAQs
This verse explains that even after briefly realizing the falsity of sense objects, one can relapse by contemplating them again, losing clear memory and running after the same illusory pleasures like mirage-water.
To show how sense enjoyment appears promising but has no real substance—just as a mirage seems like water from a distance, yet cannot satisfy thirst.
Reduce repeated mental dwelling on tempting objects (screens, cravings, fantasies) and redirect attention to sādhana—hearing and chanting—so remembrance and discernment are not disturbed by contemplation of viṣayas.