Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 25

Karma-vāda Critiqued, Varṇāśrama Reframed, and the Soul’s Distinction from the Body

Devanagari script

स्त्रीभि: कामगयानेन किङ्किणीजालमालिना । क्रीडन् न वेदात्मपातं सुराक्रीडेषु निर्वृत: ॥ २५ ॥

Transliteration

strībhiḥ kāmaga-yānena kiṅkinī-jāla-mālinā krīḍan na vedātma-pātaṁ surākrīḍeṣu nirvṛtaḥ

Translation

Ditemani para bidadari, ia bersenang-senang dalam vimāna yang melaju ke mana pun ia kehendaki, dihiasi untaian lonceng yang berdenting. Terbuai di taman-taman kenikmatan surga, ia tak menyadari bahwa pahala kebajikannya sedang habis dan ia akan segera jatuh kembali.

Synonyms

• स्त्रीभिः: with women
• स्त्रीभिः: सह (Association/सह)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्त्री (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया बहुवचन; Instrumental plural

• कामग-यानेन: by a desire-fulfilling vehicle
• कामग-यानेन: करण (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कामग (प्रातिपदिक) + यान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (कामगं यानम्), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया एकवचन; Instrumental singular

• किङ्किणी-जाल-मालिना: adorned with a net of tinkling bells
• किङ्किणी-जाल-मालिना: विशेषण (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: किङ्किणी (प्रातिपदिक) + जाल (प्रातिपदिक) + मालिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (किङ्किणीजालस्य मालिन्), पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया एकवचन; Instrumental singular; qualifying यानेन/विहरण-उपकरणम्

• क्रीडन्: sporting; playing
• क्रीडन्: कर्ता (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: क्रीड् (धातु) + शतृ (कृदन्त)
• Form: वर्तमान कृदन्त (शतृ), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा एकवचन; present participle: playing

• न: not
• न: सम्बन्ध (Negation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक अव्यय (negation particle)

• वेद: knows; realizes
• वेद: क्रिया (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: विद् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (वर्तमान), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; Present indicative 3rd sg

• आत्म-पातम्: his own downfall
• आत्म-पातम्: कर्म (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक) + पात (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (आत्मनः पातः), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया एकवचन; Accusative singular

• सुरा-क्रीडेषु: in the sports (pleasures) of the gods
• सुरा-क्रीडेषु: अधिकरण (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुरा (प्रातिपदिक) + क्रीडा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (सुराणां क्रीडाः/सुरैः क्रीडाः), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी बहुवचन; Locative plural

• निर्वृतः: delighted; content
• निर्वृतः: विशेषण (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निर्-वृ (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा एकवचन; satisfied/delighted

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about lust and intoxication?

This verse warns that indulgence in lust and drunken revelry blinds a person to their own spiritual and moral collapse, because pleasure makes them ignore consequences.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī describe sense enjoyment as a cause of self-downfall?

In the 11th Canto’s teachings on renunciation and devotion, Śukadeva explains that uncontrolled senses—especially lust and intoxication—steal one’s discrimination, leading the soul away from dharma and bhakti.

Practical application of this teaching in modern life?

Avoid habits that dull awareness (intoxication, compulsive sensuality), set clear boundaries, and replace lower pleasures with sādhana—chanting, satsanga, and service—so the mind regains clarity and direction.