Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 16
Paramahaṁsa-Dharma: The Avadhūta-like Sannyāsī and Prahlāda’s Dialogue with the ‘Python’ Saint
बिभर्षि कायं पीवानं सोद्यमो भोगवान्यथा ॥ १६ ॥ वित्तं चैवोद्यमवतां भोगो वित्तवतामिह । भोगिनां खलु देहोऽयं पीवा भवति नान्यथा ॥ १७ ॥
bibharṣi kāyaṁ pīvānaṁ sodyamo bhogavān yathā
プラフラーダは言った。「尊者よ、あなたは生計のために何の労もしておられぬのに、世の享楽者のようにふくよかな御身を保っておられる。ここでは、努力する者が財を得、財ある者が享楽を得る。そして享楽にふける者の身体は、食と眠りによってこそ肥えるのであって、他の理由ではない。」
Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura did not like his disciples to become very fat in the course of time. He would become very anxious upon seeing his fat disciples becoming bhogīs, or enjoyers of the senses. This attitude is herewith confirmed by Prahlāda Mahārāja, who was surprised to see a saintly person adopting ājagara-vṛtti and becoming very fat. In the material world also, we generally see that when a man who is poor and skinny gradually endeavors to earn money through business or some other means and he then gets the money, he enjoys the senses to his satisfaction. By enjoying the senses one becomes fat. Therefore in spiritual advancement becoming fat is not at all satisfactory.
FAQs
This verse critiques strenuous effort aimed mainly at keeping the body robust, comparing it to the drive of a sense-enjoyer rather than a spiritually purposeful life.
Nārada instructs the ideal king on dharma and renunciation, warning that intense endeavor solely for bodily maintenance mirrors materialistic enjoyment and distracts from higher spiritual aims.
Maintain health and duties, but reduce obsession with comfort and luxury; redirect time and effort toward sādhana, service, and values that support bhakti and inner freedom.