Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 35
Sāṅkhya Enumeration of Tattvas, Distinction of Puruṣa–Prakṛti, and the Mechanics of Birth and Death
श्रीउद्धव उवाच त्वत्त: परावृत्तधिय: स्वकृतै: कर्मभि: प्रभो । उच्चावचान् यथा देहान् गृह्णन्ति विसृजन्ति च ॥ ३५ ॥ तन्ममाख्याहि गोविन्द दुर्विभाव्यमनात्मभि: । न ह्येतत् प्रायशो लोके विद्वांस: सन्ति वञ्चिता: ॥ ३६ ॥
śrī-uddhava uvāca tvattaḥ parāvṛtta-dhiyaḥ sva-kṛtaiḥ karmabhiḥ prabho uccāvacān yathā dehān gṛhṇanti visṛjanti ca
Śrī Uddhava dit : Ô Maître suprême, l’intelligence de ceux qui s’adonnent au karma intéressé se détourne de Toi. Explique-moi comment, par leurs actes, ils prennent des corps supérieurs ou inférieurs puis les abandonnent.
No one can be considered intelligent without understanding the science of God, which includes a description of the negative results of those who have forgotten their eternal relationship with Him. There are many so-called wise men in the world, but although considering themselves to be most intelligent, they generally do not surrender to the supreme intelligence of the Lord. Thus they concoct varieties of philosophies according to their positions within the modes of nature. However, one cannot escape the influence of material nature through philosophy generated from that same illusory nature. Liberation is achieved by perfect knowledge coming from the spiritual platform, the kingdom of God. By faithfully hearing from Lord Kṛṣṇa and His authorized representatives one can easily achieve liberation and go back home, back to Godhead.
FAQs
This verse says that when one’s mind turns away from the Lord, one’s own karma causes the soul to accept and then give up various higher and lower bodies.
Uddhava is asking Krishna to explain the mechanism of bondage—how forgetfulness of the Lord, combined with one’s own actions, leads to repeated embodiment.
Align choices with devotion and selfless duty rather than ego-driven action, because actions shape future conditioning and life trajectories.