Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 46
Nārada’s Protection of Kayādhu and Prahlāda’s Womb-Instructions: Ātma-tattva and the Path of Bhakti
निरूप्यतामिह स्वार्थ: कियान्देहभृतोऽसुरा: । निषेकादिष्ववस्थासु क्लिश्यमानस्य कर्मभि: ॥ ४६ ॥
nirūpyatām iha svārthaḥ kiyān deha-bhṛto ’surāḥ niṣekādiṣv avasthāsu kliśyamānasya karmabhiḥ
友よ、アスラの子らよ。生きとし生けるものは過去の業に従ってさまざまな身を受け、胎内への宿りから人生のあらゆる段階に至るまで、その身に関わる業によって苦しむのが見られる。よく考えて告げよ——労苦と悲惨を生む果報の行為に、生命の真の益はどれほどあるのか。
Karmaṇā daiva-netreṇa jantur dehopapattaye. The living entity receives a particular type of body according to his karma, or fruitive activities. The material pleasure derived in the material world from one’s particular body is based on sexual pleasure: yan maithunādi-gṛhamedhi-sukhaṁ hi tuccham. The entire world is working so hard only for sexual pleasure. To enjoy sexual pleasure and maintain the status quo of material life, one must work very hard, and because of such activities, one prepares himself another material body. Prahlāda Mahārāja places this matter to his friends, the asuras, for their consideration. Asuras generally cannot understand that the objects of sexual pleasure, the so-called pleasure of materialistic life, depend on extremely hard labor.
FAQs
This verse urges one to discern the soul’s real benefit beyond temporary bodily concerns, since embodied life brings suffering from conception onward due to karma.
While instructing his demoniac schoolmates, Prahlāda challenges them to rethink material goals and recognize that karmic reactions bind the soul to suffering through all stages of life.
Reflect on long-term spiritual welfare rather than short-term gains, reduce harmful actions that create karmic reactions, and prioritize devotion and wisdom that free one from repeated distress.