Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 44
Sāṅkhya Enumeration of Tattvas, Distinction of Puruṣa–Prakṛti, and the Mechanics of Birth and Death
यथार्चिषां स्रोतसां च फलानां वा वनस्पते: । तथैव सर्वभूतानां वयोऽवस्थादय: कृता: ॥ ४४ ॥
yathārciṣāṁ srotasāṁ ca phalānāṁ vā vanaspateḥ tathaiva sarva-bhūtānāṁ vayo-’vasthādayaḥ kṛtāḥ
De même que la flamme d’une lampe, le courant d’une rivière ou les fruits d’un arbre traversent des phases de transformation, ainsi tous les corps matériels connaissent des changements d’âge et d’état.
The wavering flame of a candle sometimes waxes brightly and again becomes weak. Finally it vanishes altogether. The waves of a flowing river rise and fall, creating innumerable shapes and patterns. The fruits of a tree gradually take birth, grow, ripen, sweeten and eventually rot and die. Similarly, one can easily understand that one’s own body is undergoing constant transformation, and that the body is certainly subject to old age, disease and death. At different times of life the body exhibits degrees of sexual potency, physical strength, desire, wisdom and so on. As the body grows old, physical strength diminishes, but one’s knowledge may increase even as the body undergoes such transformation.
FAQs
This verse explains that aging and changing bodily conditions are naturally arranged, just like the stages seen in fire, rivers, and fruits—indicating the body’s inevitable transformation over time.
Kṛṣṇa instructs Uddhava to see material existence as a sequence of changing states, helping him develop detachment from the body and steadiness in devotion and spiritual understanding.
By remembering that youth, health, and circumstances inevitably change, one can reduce anxiety and pride, and focus more on lasting spiritual practice—bhakti, self-discipline, and service.