Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 16
Nābhāga’s Inheritance, Śiva’s Verdict, and the Rise of Ambarīṣa—Prelude to Durvāsā’s Offense
श्रीशुक उवाच अम्बरीषो महाभाग: सप्तद्वीपवतीं महीम् । अव्ययां च श्रियं लब्ध्वा विभवं चातुलं भुवि ॥ १५ ॥ मेनेऽतिदुर्लभं पुंसां सर्वं तत् स्वप्नसंस्तुतम् । विद्वान् विभवनिर्वाणं तमो विशति यत् पुमान् ॥ १६ ॥
śrī-śuka uvāca ambarīṣo mahā-bhāgaḥ sapta-dvīpavatīṁ mahīm avyayāṁ ca śriyaṁ labdhvā vibhavaṁ cātulaṁ bhuvi
Śukadeva dit : Le très fortuné Mahārāja Ambarīṣa obtint la souveraineté de la terre aux sept îles et une opulence inépuisable et sans limite. Mais, sachant que tout cela est matériel, semblable à un rêve qui finit par se dissiper, il n’y attacha aucun prix ; il comprenait que le non-dévot, en atteignant une telle richesse, s’enfonce davantage dans l’obscurité de la nature.
For a devotee material opulence is insignificant, whereas for a nondevotee material opulence is the cause of increasing bondage, for a devotee knows that anything material is temporary, whereas a nondevotee regards the temporary so-called happiness as everything and forgets the path of self-realization. Thus for the nondevotee material opulence is a disqualification for spiritual advancement.
FAQs
This verse shows that even vast sovereignty and inexhaustible prosperity can come to a devotee, yet such gifts are presented as external—meant to be used in service rather than for pride.
Because he was blessed with extraordinary worldly resources—rule over the earth and great opulence—which, in the narrative, become instruments for devotion and righteousness.
Treat success as a responsibility: use resources ethically, support dharma, and keep devotion central rather than letting status become the goal.