Shloka 11
The Forest of Material Existence: Jaḍa Bharata Instructs King Rahūgaṇa
क्वचिच्च शीतातपवातवर्ष- प्रतिक्रियां कर्तुमनीश आस्ते । क्वचिन्मिथो विपणन् यच्च किञ्चिद् विद्वेषमृच्छत्युत वित्तशाठ्यात् ॥ ११ ॥
kvacic ca śītātapa-vāta-varṣa- pratikriyāṁ kartum anīśa āste kvacin mitho vipaṇan yac ca kiñcid vidveṣam ṛcchaty uta vitta-śāṭhyāt
Kadang-kadang makhluk hidup sibuk menangkis gangguan alam seperti sejuk membeku, panas membakar, angin kencang, hujan berlebihan dan sebagainya; apabila tidak mampu, dia menjadi sangat menderita. Kadang-kadang dia ditipu berulang kali dalam urusan perniagaan. Dengan demikian, kerana tipu daya demi harta, timbul permusuhan sesama makhluk.
This is an example of the struggle for existence, the attempt to counteract the onslaught of material nature. This creates enmity in society, and consequently society is filled with envious people. One person is envious of another, and this is the way of the material world. The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement aims at creating an atmosphere of non-envy. Of course it is not possible for everyone to become Kṛṣṇa conscious, but the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement can create an exemplary society wherein there is no envy.
FAQs
This verse notes that a person may be unable to counter material discomforts, showing the conditioned soul’s vulnerability within nature’s dualities.
The verse says hostility can arise from vitta-śāṭhya—deceit or dishonesty regarding wealth—making even small transactions a cause of enmity.
Practice honesty in money matters and reduce greed-driven competition; it prevents conflict and supports a more sattvic, spiritually focused life.