Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 53
The Song of the Avantī Brāhmaṇa (Avanti-brāhmaṇa-gītā): Mind as the Root of Suffering and Equanimity Amid Insult
ग्रहानिमित्तं सुखदु:खयोश्चेत् किमात्मनोऽजस्य जनस्य ते वै । ग्रहैर्ग्रहस्यैववदन्तिपीडां क्रुध्येत कस्मैपुरुषस्ततोऽन्य: ॥ ५३ ॥
grahā nimittaṁ sukha-duḥkhayoś cet kim ātmano ’jasya janasya te vai grahair grahasyaiva vadanti pīḍāṁ krudhyeta kasmai puruṣas tato ’nyaḥ
Dan jika diteliti andaian bahawa planet-planet ialah punca langsung suka dan duka, apakah hubungannya dengan ātman yang kekal dan tidak lahir? Pengaruh planet hanya terpakai pada yang telah lahir. Para ahli jyotiṣa juga menjelaskan bahawa planet-planet saling menimpakan derita antara satu sama lain. Maka, kerana jīva berbeza daripada planet dan tubuh material, kepada siapa dia patut meluahkan kemarahan?
FAQs
This verse says that even if one attributes happiness and distress to planetary influence, such effects pertain to the material body-mind, not to the unborn Self; therefore one should not fall into anger or blame.
King Yadu approached the Avadhuta to learn the secret of his inner freedom; Dattatreya teaches him detachment by showing that real identity is the Self, untouched by external causes like planets.
When facing stress or misfortune, avoid blaming fate or others; focus on steady spiritual identity, regulate the mind, and respond with clarity and devotion rather than anger.