Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 18
Nārada’s Protection of Kayādhu and Prahlāda’s Womb-Instructions: Ātma-tattva and the Path of Bhakti
जन्माद्या: षडिमे भावा दृष्टा देहस्य नात्मन: । फलानामिव वृक्षस्य कालेनेश्वरमूर्तिना ॥ १८ ॥
janmādyāḥ ṣaḍ ime bhāvā dṛṣṭā dehasya nātmanaḥ phalānām iva vṛkṣasya kāleneśvara-mūrtinā
જેમ વૃક્ષના ફળ-ફૂલો સમયક્રમે જન્મ, સ્થિતિ, વૃદ્ધિ, રૂપાંતર, ક્ષય અને મૃત્યુ—એવા છ ફેરફારો ભોગવે છે, તેમ આ ભૌતિક દેહ પણ બદલાય છે; પરંતુ આત્મામાં આવા ફેરફારો નથી।
This is a very important verse in understanding the difference between the spiritual soul and the material body. The soul is eternal, as stated in Bhagavad-gītā (2.20) :
FAQs
This verse explains that the six changes beginning with birth belong to the body, not to the eternal soul; they are driven by time (kāla).
Prahlada teaches that the inevitable changes of the body occur under kāla, which acts as a divine power of the Lord, reminding one to seek the timeless आत्मा and devotion rather than bodily identity.
Remember that aging, loss, and change affect the body, not the self; this supports steadiness, reduces anxiety, and strengthens bhakti by focusing life on the eternal Lord rather than temporary conditions.