Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 8
The Lord’s Supervision of Embodiment: Fetal Development, Womb-Suffering, and the Jīva’s Prayer (Garbha-stuti) — and the Trap of Māyā
उल्बेन संवृतस्तस्मिन्नन्त्रैश्च बहिरावृत: । आस्ते कृत्वा शिर: कुक्षौ भुग्नपृष्ठशिरोधर: ॥ ८ ॥
ulbena saṁvṛtas tasminn antraiś ca bahir āvṛtaḥ āste kṛtvā śiraḥ kukṣau bhugna-pṛṣṭha-śirodharaḥ
羊膜に包まれ、外側は腸に覆われて、胎児は腹の片側に横たわる。頭は腹へ向き、背と首は弓のように反り曲がっている。
If a grown man were put into such a condition as the child within the abdomen, completely entangled in all respects, it would be impossible for him to live even for a few seconds. Unfortunately, we forget all these sufferings and try to be happy in this life, not caring for the liberation of the soul from the entanglement of birth and death. It is an unfortunate civilization in which these matters are not plainly discussed to make people understand the precarious condition of material existence.
FAQs
This verse describes the jīva confined in the womb, enclosed by fetal coverings and surrounded by bodily organs, forced into a cramped, bent posture—highlighting the helplessness and suffering inherent in material birth.
He presents the realities of embodied existence to awaken detachment (vairāgya) and urge the listener toward devotional surrender and liberation rather than fascination with material life.
Remembering the discomfort and dependency of birth can reduce pride in the body, strengthen gratitude, and motivate steadier spiritual practice—especially bhakti—aimed at freedom from repeated birth and death.