Shloka 6
The Forest of Material Existence (Saṁsāra-vana) and the Delivering Path of Bharata’s Teachings
तत्र च क्वचिदातपोदकनिभान् विषयानुपधावति पानभोजनव्यवायादिव्यसनलोलुप: ॥ ६ ॥
tatra ca kvacid ātapodaka-nibhān viṣayān upadhāvati pāna-bhojana-vyavāyādi-vyasana-lolupaḥ.
ചിലപ്പോൾ ഈ ഗന്ധർവനഗരംപോലെയുള്ള ലോകത്തിൽ പാനം, ഭോജനം, മൈഥുനം മുതലായ വ്യസനങ്ങളിൽ ലാലസയോടെ, മരുഭൂമിയിൽ മാൻ മൃഗതൃഷ്ണയെ പിന്തുടരുന്നതുപോലെ ഇന്ദ്രിയവിഷയങ്ങളെ പിന്തുടർന്ന് ഓടുന്നു।
There are two worlds — the spiritual and the material. The material world is false like a mirage in the desert. In the desert, animals think they see water, but actually there is none. Similarly, those who are animalistic try to find peace within the desert of material life. It is repeatedly said in different śāstras that there is no pleasure in this material world. Furthermore, even if we agree to live without pleasure, we are not allowed to do so. In Bhagavad-gītā, Lord Kṛṣṇa says that the material world is not only full of miseries ( duḥkhālayam ) but also temporary ( aśāśvatam ). Even if we want to live here amid miseries, material nature will not allow us to do so. It will oblige us to change bodies and enter another atmosphere full of miserable conditions.
FAQs
This verse says sense-objects can appear promising like water seen in sunshine, but they are illusory and disappoint the seeker, binding him to repeated chasing and suffering.
Because in the allegory of the forest of material enjoyment, the conditioned soul becomes lolupa—greedy—and repeatedly pursues habits that intensify bondage rather than give lasting satisfaction.
Notice which pleasures function like “mirage-water” (promising relief but increasing craving), reduce indulgence, and redirect desire toward bhakti practices that give steady fulfillment.