Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 13
The Forest of Material Existence (Saṁsāra-vana) and the Delivering Path of Bharata’s Teachings
एकदासत्प्रसङ्गान्निकृतमतिर्व्युदकस्रोत:स्खलनवद् उभयतोऽपि दु:खदं पाखण्डमभियाति ॥ १३ ॥
ekadāsat-prasaṅgān nikṛta-matir vyudaka-srotaḥ-skhalanavad ubhayato ’pi duḥkhadaṁ pākhaṇḍam abhiyāti.
Parfois, pour apaiser les peines dans cette forêt du monde matériel, l’âme conditionnée reçoit de « bénédictions » à bon marché de la part d’athées. En leur compagnie, son intelligence s’éteint; comme celui qui saute dans une rivière peu profonde et s’y brise la tête. Ainsi souffre-t-elle des deux côtés, ici et au-delà. De même, elle approche de prétendus sâdhus et svâmîs, imposteurs prêchant contre les Védas, sans profit ni maintenant ni plus tard.
Cheaters are always there to manufacture their own way of spiritual realization. To get some material benefit, the conditioned soul approaches these pseudo sannyāsīs and yogīs for cheap blessings, but he does not receive any benefit from them, either spiritual or material. In this age there are many cheaters who show some jugglery and magic. They even create gold to amaze their followers, and their followers accept them as God. This type of cheating is very prominent in Kali-yuga. Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura describes the real guru in this way.
FAQs
This verse warns that abandoning saintly association causes one’s intelligence to become deceived, leading to painful hypocrisy and spiritual decline.
Because pākhaṇḍa harms a person whether he tries to maintain a false religious show or later struggles with the consequences and inner conflict it creates—either way it yields suffering.
Stay connected to sincere devotees, regularly hear and discuss Bhāgavatam, and keep practices aligned with genuine humility and service rather than external display.