Shloka 7
Nārada and Aṅgirā Instruct Citraketu: Impermanence, Ātma-Tattva, and Mantra-Upadeśa
देहेन देहिनो राजन् देहाद्देहोऽभिजायते । बीजादेव यथा बीजं देह्यर्थ इव शाश्वत: ॥ ७ ॥
dehena dehino rājan dehād deho ’bhijāyate bījād eva yathā bījaṁ dehy artha iva śāśvataḥ
Wahai Raja, sebagaimana daripada satu benih lahir benih yang lain, demikian juga daripada satu tubuh (bapa), melalui tubuh yang lain (ibu), terhasil tubuh ketiga (anak). Unsur-unsur jasmani berterusan dalam aliran, dan dehī—jīva yang tampak melalui unsur itu—juga bersifat kekal.
From Bhagavad-gītā we understand that there are two energies, namely the superior energy and inferior energy. Inferior energy consists of the five gross and three subtle material elements. The living entity, who represents the superior energy, appears in different types of bodies through these elements by the manipulation or supervision of the material energy. Actually both the material and spiritual energies — matter and spirit — exist eternally as potencies of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The potent entity is the Supreme Person. Since the spiritual energy, the living being, who is part and parcel of the Supreme Lord, desires to enjoy this material world, the Lord gives him a chance to accept different types of material bodies and enjoy or suffer in different material conditions. Factually, the spiritual energy, the living entity who desires to enjoy material things, is manipulated by the Supreme Lord. The so-called father and mother have nothing to do with the living entity. As a result of his own choice and karma, the living being takes different bodies through the agency of so-called fathers and mothers.
FAQs
This verse states that one body gives rise to another—like seed producing seed—indicating the continuing chain of embodiment (samsara) when the soul remains absorbed in bodily existence.
Narada instructs the grieving King Chitraketu to rise above bodily identification and understand the soul’s ongoing entanglement in repeated bodies, so the king may gain detachment and spiritual clarity.
Reflect that the self is not the temporary body; practice steadiness, reduce attachment to external identities, and redirect attention to lasting spiritual duties like devotion, prayer, and remembrance of the Supreme.