Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 7
The Forest of Material Existence (Saṁsāra-vana) and the Delivering Path of Bharata’s Teachings
क्वचिच्चाशेषदोषनिषदनं पुरीषविशेषं तद्वर्णगुणनिर्मितमति: सुवर्णमुपादित्सत्यग्निकामकातर इवोल्मुकपिशाचम् ॥ ७ ॥
kvacic cāśeṣa-doṣa-niṣadanaṁ purīṣa-viśeṣaṁ tad-varṇa-guṇa-nirmita-matiḥ suvarṇam upāditsaty agni-kāma-kātara ivolmuka-piśācam.
Kadang-kadang makhluk hidup mengejar “emas” yang kuning seperti najis—tempat berhimpunnya pelbagai cela. Minda yang dikuasai rajo-guṇa terpikat pada warna emas lalu ingin meraihnya; seperti orang kesejukan di hutan mengejar cahaya berpendar di paya, menyangkanya api.
Parīkṣit Mahārāja told Kali-yuga to leave his kingdom immediately and reside in four places: brothels, liquor shops, slaughterhouses and gambling casinos. However, Kali-yuga requested him to give him only one place where these four places are included, and Parīkṣit Mahārāja gave him the place where gold is stored. Gold encompasses the four principles of sin, and therefore, according to spiritual life, gold should be avoided as far as possible. If there is gold, there is certainly illicit sex, meat-eating, gambling and intoxication. Because people in the Western world have a great deal of gold, they are victims of these four sins. The color of gold is very glittering, and a materialistic person becomes very much attracted by its yellow color. However, this gold is actually a type of stool. A person with a bad liver generally passes yellow stool. The color of this stool attracts a materialistic person, just as the will-o’-the-wisp attracts one who needs heat.
FAQs
This verse says a materially conditioned person, judging by outward color and qualities, can mistake even impure things for ‘gold,’ chasing false lights like a will-o’-the-wisp instead of real spiritual truth.
Because worldly attractions promise satisfaction like ‘fire’ or ‘light,’ but they are deceptive and insubstantial; one runs after them and remains distressed rather than fulfilled.
Do not equate value with mere appearance—status, glamour, or quick gains. Test choices by purity, truth, and devotion, and seek lasting spiritual benefit over flashy but empty rewards.