Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 26
The Forest of Material Existence: Jaḍa Bharata Instructs King Rahūgaṇa
राजोवाच यो ह वा इह बहुविदा महाभागवत त्वयाभिहित: परोक्षेण वचसा जीवलोकभवाध्वा स ह्यार्यमनीषया कल्पितविषयो नाञ्जसाव्युत्पन्नलोकसमधिगम: । अथ तदेवैतद्दुरवगमं समवेतानुकल्पेन निर्दिश्यतामिति ॥ २६ ॥
rājovāca yo ha vā iha bahu-vidā mahā-bhāgavata tvayābhihitaḥ parokṣeṇa vacasā jīva-loka-bhavādhvā sa hy ārya-manīṣayā kalpita-viṣayo nāñjasāvyutpanna-loka-samadhigamaḥ; atha tad evaitad duravagamaṁ samavetānukalpena nirdiśyatām iti.
ព្រះរាជាមានព្រះបន្ទូលថា—ឱ មហាភាគវតៈ! អ្នកបានពណ៌នាផ្លូវសង្សាររបស់ជីវៈដោយពាក្យប្រៀបធៀបយ៉ាងល្អ។ អ្នកមានប្រាជ្ញាយល់ថា អង្គធាតុអារម្មណ៍ (ឥន្ទ្រីយ) របស់អ្នកដែលយល់ថា «ខ្ញុំគឺរាងកាយ» ដូចជាចោរ-លួចក្នុងព្រៃ ហើយប្រពន្ធកូនដូចជាចចក និងសត្វសាហាវផ្សេងៗ។ ប៉ុន្តែសម្រាប់អ្នកប្រាជ្ញតិច អត្ថន័យនៃរូបកនេះពិបាកយល់។ ដូច្នេះ សូមមេត្តាបកស្រាយអត្ថន័យដោយផ្ទាល់ឲ្យច្បាស់។
There are many stories and incidents in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam that are described figuratively. Such allegorical descriptions may not be understood by unintelligent men; therefore it is the duty of the student to approach a bona fide spiritual master for the direct explanation.
FAQs
It says that the journey of the soul through material existence is difficult to grasp when explained indirectly, so one should request a clear, compassionate explanation from a great devotee to truly understand.
Because Jaḍa Bharata’s teaching was given in indirect language and Rahūgaṇa admitted the topic was hard to comprehend without fully awakened understanding, so he requested a more orderly and merciful explanation.
When spiritual teachings feel confusing, seek guidance from authentic devotees/teachers, ask humble questions, and request practical, step-by-step clarity rather than relying only on abstract or indirect ideas.