Shloka 43
Nārada’s Instructions: Śrāddha, True Dharma, Contentment, Yoga, and Devotion-Centered Renunciation
रागो द्वेषश्च लोभश्च शोकमोहौ भयं मद: । मानोऽवमानोऽसूया च माया हिंसा च मत्सर: ॥ ४३ ॥ रज: प्रमाद: क्षुन्निद्रा शत्रवस्त्वेवमादय: । रजस्तम:प्रकृतय: सत्त्वप्रकृतय: क्वचित् ॥ ४४ ॥ H
rāgo dveṣaś ca lobhaś ca śoka-mohau bhayaṁ madaḥ māno ’vamāno ’sūyā ca māyā hiṁsā ca matsaraḥ
बद्ध अवस्थेत रज-तमामुळे जीवनधारणा राग, द्वेष, लोभ, शोक, मोह, भय, मद, मान, अपमान, असूया, माया (छल), हिंसा, मत्सर, रज, प्रमाद, क्षुधा व निद्रा इत्यादींनी मलिन होते—हे सर्व शत्रू आहेत। कधी कधी सत्त्वगुणामुळेही धारणा दूषित होते।
The actual aim of life is to go back home, back to Godhead, but there are many hindrances created by the three modes of material nature — sometimes by a combination of rajo-guṇa and tamo-guṇa, the modes of passion and ignorance, and sometimes by the mode of goodness. In the material world, even if one is a philanthropist, a nationalist and a good man according to materialistic estimations, these conceptions of life form a hindrance to spiritual advancement. How much more of a hindrance, then, are hostility, greed, illusion, lamentation and too much attachment to material enjoyment? To progress toward the target of Viṣṇu, which is our real self-interest, one must become very powerful in conquering these various hindrances or enemies. In other words, one should not be attached to being a good man or a bad man in this material world.
FAQs
In this verse, Prahlāda Mahārāja lists attachment, hatred, greed, lamentation, delusion, fear, intoxication, pride, dishonor, envy, deceit, violence, and jealousy as enemies that obstruct the soul’s spiritual progress.
Because these tendencies bind consciousness to passion and ignorance, disturb peace, and prevent steady devotion (bhakti) and right conduct (dharma).
Treat these as inner opponents: notice them early, avoid situations that feed them, cultivate humility and truthfulness, and redirect the mind to devotional practices like remembrance, prayer, and service.