Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 38
Paramahaṁsa-Dharma: The Avadhūta-like Sannyāsī and Prahlāda’s Dialogue with the ‘Python’ Saint
क्वचिदल्पं क्वचिद्भूरि भुञ्जेऽन्नं स्वाद्वस्वादु वा । क्वचिद्भूरि गुणोपेतं गुणहीनमुत क्वचित् । श्रद्धयोपहृतं क्वापि कदाचिन्मानवर्जितम् । भुञ्जे भुक्त्वाथ कस्मिंश्चिद्दिवा नक्तं यदृच्छया ॥ ३८ ॥
kvacid alpaṁ kvacid bhūri bhuñje ’nnaṁ svādv asvādu vā kvacid bhūri guṇopetaṁ guṇa-hīnam uta kvacit
A veces como poco y a veces mucho; a veces el alimento es sabroso y a veces insípido o pasado. A veces recibo prasāda ofrecido con reverencia, y a veces comida dada con descuido. A veces como de día y a veces de noche; así como lo que está al alcance.
FAQs
This verse shows a perfected devotee eats without attachment—sometimes little or much, tasty or tasteless, honored or not—accepting whatever comes naturally, without demanding specific comforts.
He is teaching the standard of a liberated devotee: freedom from bodily identification and social prestige, and contentment rooted in devotion rather than sense gratification.
Practice gratitude and moderation: reduce picky demands, accept simple meals, avoid entitlement, and keep spiritual priorities first while maintaining health and duty.