Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 19
Bondage and Liberation Under Māyā; Two Birds Analogy; Marks of the Saintly Devotee
गां दुग्धदोहामसतीं च भार्यां देहं पराधीनमसत्प्रजां च । वित्तं त्वतीर्थीकृतमङ्ग वाचं हीनां मया रक्षति दु:खदु:खी ॥ १९ ॥
gāṁ dugdha-dohām asatīṁ ca bhāryāṁ dehaṁ parādhīnam asat-prajāṁ ca vittaṁ tv atīrthī-kṛtam aṅga vācaṁ hīnāṁ mayā rakṣati duḥkha-duḥkhī
Wahai Uddhava yang dikasihi, sungguh paling sengsara ialah orang yang menjaga lembu yang tidak mengeluarkan susu, isteri yang tidak setia, tubuh yang bergantung sepenuhnya pada orang lain, anak-anak yang tidak berguna, atau harta yang tidak digunakan untuk tujuan yang benar. Demikian juga, orang yang mempelajari pengetahuan Veda tanpa kemuliaan-Ku adalah paling sengsara.
A human being is actually learned or expert when he understands that all material objects perceived through the various senses are expansions of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and that nothing exists without the support of the Supreme Lord. In this verse, through various examples, it is concluded that the power of speech is useless if not engaged for the Supreme Lord. According to Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura, this verse implies that all of the functions of the various senses are useless if they are not engaged in the glorification of God. Indeed, the avadhūta brāhmaṇa previously stated to King Yadu that if the tongue is not controlled, one’s entire program of sense control is a failure. One cannot control the tongue unless he vibrates the glories of the Lord.
FAQs
This verse explains that a materially attached person may grieve over dependents and possessions—cow, spouse, body, children, wealth, and speech—yet still anxiously maintains them, even when they are sources of distress.
Krishna instructs Uddhava on the nature of bondage: attachment makes one protect and cling to things that intensify sorrow, whereas devotion and detachment free the heart for spiritual life.
Use responsibilities without possessiveness: protect dependents ethically, purify wealth through charity and service to the holy, and discipline speech toward truth and devotion—reducing the cycle of worry and grief.