Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 32
The Forest of Material Existence (Saṁsāra-vana) and the Delivering Path of Bharata’s Teachings
क्वचिद् द्रुमवदैहिकार्थेषु गृहेषु रंस्यन् यथा वानर: सुतदारवत्सलो व्यवायक्षण: ॥ ३२ ॥
kvacid drumavad aihikārtheṣu gṛheṣu raṁsyan yathā vānaraḥ suta-dāra-vatsalo vyavāya-kṣaṇaḥ.
あるとき魂は身体的利益のために家々で戯れ、木から木へ跳ぶ猿のようになる。子と妻に深く執着し、刹那の交合の快楽の奴隷となる。猿がついに猟師に捕らえられるように、条件づけられた魂も一時の性の快楽に魅了されて身体から身体へと跳び移り、家庭生活という檻に閉じ込められ、物質の束縛から抜け出せない。
As stated in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (11.9.29) : viṣayaḥ khalu sarvataḥ syāt. Bodily necessities — eating, sleeping, mating and defending — are all very easily available in any form of life. It is stated here that the vānara (monkey) is very much attracted to sex. Each monkey keeps at least two dozen wives, and he jumps from one tree to another to capture the female monkeys. Thus he immediately engages in sexual intercourse. In this way the monkey’s business is to jump from one tree to another and enjoy sex with his wives. The conditioned soul is doing the same thing, transmigrating from one body to another and engaging in sex. He thus completely forgets how to become free from the clutches of material encagement. Sometimes the monkey is captured by a hunter, who sells its body to doctors so that its glands can be removed for the benefit of another monkey. All this is going on in the name of economic development and improved sex life.
FAQs
This verse criticizes blind household attachment that centers on temporary worldly goals and momentary sense pleasure, urging detachment and higher spiritual purpose.
The monkey analogy highlights restless enjoyment, strong sexual impulse, and possessive attachment—showing how one becomes trapped in fleeting pleasures instead of seeking liberation.
Shift the home’s purpose from enjoyment to service—practice regulated life, reduce lust-driven habits, cultivate devotion (śravaṇa-kīrtana), and see family duties as offerings to Bhagavān.