Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 26
The Forest of Material Existence: Jaḍa Bharata Instructs King Rahūgaṇa
राजोवाच यो ह वा इह बहुविदा महाभागवत त्वयाभिहित: परोक्षेण वचसा जीवलोकभवाध्वा स ह्यार्यमनीषया कल्पितविषयो नाञ्जसाव्युत्पन्नलोकसमधिगम: । अथ तदेवैतद्दुरवगमं समवेतानुकल्पेन निर्दिश्यतामिति ॥ २६ ॥
rājovāca yo ha vā iha bahu-vidā mahā-bhāgavata tvayābhihitaḥ parokṣeṇa vacasā jīva-loka-bhavādhvā sa hy ārya-manīṣayā kalpita-viṣayo nāñjasāvyutpanna-loka-samadhigamaḥ; atha tad evaitad duravagamaṁ samavetānukalpena nirdiśyatām iti.
ରାଜା କହିଲେ—ହେ ମହାଭାଗବତ! ଆପଣ ପରୋକ୍ଷ ବାକ୍ୟରେ ଜୀବର ସଂସାର-ପଥକୁ ସୁନ୍ଦରଭାବେ ବର୍ଣ୍ଣନା କରିଛନ୍ତି। ବୁଦ୍ଧିମାନେ ବୁଝନ୍ତି ଯେ ଦେହାଭିମାନୀର ଇନ୍ଦ୍ରିୟଗୁଡ଼ିକ ସେ ଅରଣ୍ୟରେ ଚୋର-ଡାକୁ ପରି, ଏବଂ ପତ୍ନୀ-ପୁତ୍ରାଦି ଶୃଗାଳ ଓ ଅନ୍ୟ କ୍ରୁର ପଶୁ ପରି। କିନ୍ତୁ ମନ୍ଦବୁଦ୍ଧିଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ ଏହି ରୂପକର ତାତ୍ପର୍ୟ ଧରିବା ସହଜ ନୁହେଁ। ତେଣୁ କୃପାକରି ଏହାର ପ୍ରତ୍ୟକ୍ଷ ଅର୍ଥ ସ୍ପଷ୍ଟ କରନ୍ତୁ।
There are many stories and incidents in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam that are described figuratively. Such allegorical descriptions may not be understood by unintelligent men; therefore it is the duty of the student to approach a bona fide spiritual master for the direct explanation.
FAQs
It says that the journey of the soul through material existence is difficult to grasp when explained indirectly, so one should request a clear, compassionate explanation from a great devotee to truly understand.
Because Jaḍa Bharata’s teaching was given in indirect language and Rahūgaṇa admitted the topic was hard to comprehend without fully awakened understanding, so he requested a more orderly and merciful explanation.
When spiritual teachings feel confusing, seek guidance from authentic devotees/teachers, ask humble questions, and request practical, step-by-step clarity rather than relying only on abstract or indirect ideas.