Shloka 18
Nārada’s Protection of Kayādhu and Prahlāda’s Womb-Instructions: Ātma-tattva and the Path of Bhakti
जन्माद्या: षडिमे भावा दृष्टा देहस्य नात्मन: । फलानामिव वृक्षस्य कालेनेश्वरमूर्तिना ॥ १८ ॥
janmādyāḥ ṣaḍ ime bhāvā dṛṣṭā dehasya nātmanaḥ phalānām iva vṛkṣasya kāleneśvara-mūrtinā
ಮರದ ಹಣ್ಣು-ಹೂಗಳು ಕಾಲಕ್ರಮದಲ್ಲಿ ಜನನ, ಸ್ಥಿತಿ, ವೃದ್ಧಿ, ರೂಪಾಂತರ, ಕ್ಷಯ ಮತ್ತು ಮರಣ ಎಂಬ ಆರು ಬದಲಾವಣೆಗಳನ್ನು ಅನುಭವಿಸುವಂತೆ, ಈ ಭೌತಿಕ ದೇಹವೂ ಹಾಗೆಯೇ ಬದಲಾಗುತ್ತದೆ; ಆದರೆ ಆತ್ಮಕ್ಕೆ ಇಂತಹ ಬದಲಾವಣೆಗಳಿಲ್ಲ।
This is a very important verse in understanding the difference between the spiritual soul and the material body. The soul is eternal, as stated in Bhagavad-gītā (2.20) :
FAQs
This verse explains that the six changes beginning with birth belong to the body, not to the eternal soul; they are driven by time (kāla).
Prahlada teaches that the inevitable changes of the body occur under kāla, which acts as a divine power of the Lord, reminding one to seek the timeless आत्मा and devotion rather than bodily identity.
Remember that aging, loss, and change affect the body, not the self; this supports steadiness, reduces anxiety, and strengthens bhakti by focusing life on the eternal Lord rather than temporary conditions.