Shloka 9
Brahmacarya and Vānaprastha Duties; Gradual Dissolution of Bodily Identity
नन्वग्नि: प्रमदा नाम घृतकुम्भसम: पुमान् । सुतामपि रहो जह्यादन्यदा यावदर्थकृत् ॥ ९ ॥
nanv agniḥ pramadā nāma ghṛta-kumbha-samaḥ pumān sutām api raho jahyād anyadā yāvad-artha-kṛt
ແມ່ຍິງປຽບເໝືອນໄຟ ແລະ ຜູ້ຊາຍປຽບເໝືອນໝໍ້ເບີ. ດັ່ງນັ້ນ, ຜູ້ຊາຍຄວນຫຼີກລ່ຽງການຢູ່ບ່ອນລັບຕາຄົນ ແມ່ນແຕ່ກັບລູກສາວຂອງຕົນເອງ. ເຊັ່ນດຽວກັນ, ລາວກໍ່ຄວນຫຼີກລ່ຽງການພົວພັນກັບແມ່ຍິງຄົນອື່ນ ຍົກເວັ້ນແຕ່ມີວຽກງານທີ່ຈຳເປັນ.
If a butter pot and fire are kept together, the butter within the pot will certainly melt. Woman is compared to fire, and man is compared to a butter pot. However advanced one may be in restraining the senses, it is almost impossible for a man to keep himself controlled in the presence of a woman, even if she is his own daughter, mother or sister. Indeed, his mind is agitated even if one is in the renounced order of life. Therefore, Vedic civilization carefully restricts mingling between men and women. If one cannot understand the basic principle of restraining association between man and woman, he is to be considered an animal. That is the purport of this verse.
FAQs
In Bhagavatam 7.12.9, Nārada warns that attraction can arise even in inappropriate situations; therefore one should avoid secluded, private association that may provoke the senses until one is firmly self-controlled.
While describing dharma and ideal social-spiritual conduct, Nārada instructs Yudhiṣṭhira on practical safeguards for brahmacarya and purity, emphasizing that disciplined boundaries protect spiritual progress.
Maintain clear boundaries, avoid compromising private situations, and choose environments that support self-control—so spiritual goals, relationships, and integrity are protected.