Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 2
The Earth Laughs at World-Conquering Kings; Yuga-Dharma and the Remedy for Kali
काम एष नरेन्द्राणां मोघ: स्याद् विदुषामपि । येन फेनोपमे पिण्डे येऽतिविश्रम्भिता नृपा: ॥ २ ॥
kāma eṣa narendrāṇāṁ moghaḥ syād viduṣām api yena phenopame piṇḍe ye ’ti-viśrambhitā nṛpāḥ
ಓ ನರೇಂದ್ರರೇ! ಈ ಕಾಮವಾಸನೆ ವಿದ್ಯಾವಂತರನ್ನೂ ವ್ಯರ್ಥತೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಬೀಳಿಸುತ್ತದೆ. ಕಾಮದಿಂದ ಪ್ರೇರಿತರಾಗಿ ರಾಜರು ನುರಿಗೆಯಂತೆ ಕ್ಷಣಭಂಗುರ ದೇಹಪಿಂಡದಲ್ಲಿ ಮಹಾ ನಂಬಿಕೆ ಇಡುತ್ತಾರೆ.
FAQs
This verse states that lust is ultimately fruitless; it makes even rulers and learned people place blind confidence in the temporary body, leading to delusion and downfall.
Foam appears substantial but vanishes quickly; likewise the body is fragile and short-lived, so becoming proud and overly trusting in it is a mistake.
Remember the body’s impermanence, reduce decisions driven by lust and ego, and cultivate restraint and devotion so leadership and personal life are guided by dharma rather than impulse.