Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 17
Karma, Jñāna, and Bhakti: Vedic Dharma, Piety and Sin, and the Boat of Human Life
नृदेहमाद्यं सुलभं सुदुर्लभं प्लवं सुकल्पं गुरुकर्णधारम् । मयानुकूलेन नभस्वतेरितं पुमान् भवाब्धिं न तरेत् स आत्महा ॥ १७ ॥
nṛ-deham ādyaṁ su-labhaṁ su-durlabhaṁ plavaṁ su-kalpaṁ guru-karṇadhāram mayānukūlena nabhasvateritaṁ pumān bhavābdhiṁ na taret sa ātma-hā
Le corps humain, bien que très rare, est obtenu selon les lois de la nature et peut accorder tout bien. Il est tel une barque parfaitement construite : le maître spirituel en est le capitaine, et les enseignements du Seigneur sont des vents favorables. Celui qui ne s’en sert pas pour traverser l’océan du samsara est le meurtrier de sa propre âme.
The human body, which is obtained after passing through many inferior forms, is created in such a way that it can award the highest perfection of life. A human being is supposed to serve the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and the bona fide spiritual master is the appropriate guide for such service. The causeless mercy of Lord Kṛṣṇa is compared to favorable winds that help the boat of the body to ply smoothly on the course back home, back to Godhead. Lord Kṛṣṇa gives His personal instructions in Vedic literature, speaks through the bona fide spiritual master, and encourages, warns and protects His sincere devotee from within the devotee’s heart. Such merciful guidance of the Lord moves a sincere soul quickly on the path back to Godhead. But one who cannot understand that the human body is a suitable boat for crossing the ocean of material existence will see no need to accept a captain in the form of the spiritual master and will not at all appreciate the favorable winds of the Lord’s mercy. He has no chance of achieving the goal of human life. Acting against his own self-interest, he gradually becomes the killer of his own soul.
FAQs
This verse teaches that human life is a rare, precious chance meant for crossing bhava—material existence—and wasting it is spiritual self-destruction.
Krishna explains that the body is an instrument for liberation, the guru provides correct direction like a skilled helmsman, and divine grace acts like favorable wind—together enabling one to reach the far shore.
Seek authentic guidance (guru and śāstra), practice steady bhakti (hearing, chanting, remembrance), and use your time and abilities consciously for spiritual progress rather than mere sense enjoyment.