Shloka 10
The Deliverance of Nalakūvara and Maṇigrīva
Yamala-Arjuna Līlā Prelude and Culmination
देवसंज्ञितमप्यन्ते कृमिविड्भस्मसंज्ञितम् । भूतध्रुक्तत्कृते स्वार्थं किं वेद निरयो यत: ॥ १० ॥
deva-saṁjñitam apy ante kṛmi-viḍ-bhasma-saṁjñitam bhūta-dhruk tat-kṛte svārthaṁ kiṁ veda nirayo yataḥ
Enquanto vive, por orgulho do corpo, alguém se julga grande homem, ministro, governante ou até como um deva; mas ao fim este corpo torna-se alimento de vermes, excremento ou cinza. Assim, quem mata pobres animais para satisfazer os caprichos temporários do corpo não conhece o sofrimento do próximo nascimento; tal pecador cai no inferno e padece o fruto de seus atos.
In this verse the three words kṛmi-vid-bhasma are significant. After death, the body may become kṛmi, which means “worms,” for if the body is disposed of without cremation, it may be eaten by worms; or else it may be eaten by animals like hogs and vultures and be turned into stool. Those who are more civilized burn the dead body, and thus it becomes ashes ( bhasma-saṁjñitam ). Yet although the body will be turned into worms, stool or ashes, foolish persons, just to maintain it, commit many sinful activities. This is certainly regrettable. The human form of body is actually meant for jīvasya tattva jijñāsā, enlightenment in knowledge of spiritual values. Therefore, one must seek shelter of a bona fide spiritual master. Tasmād guruṁ prapadyeta: one must approach a guru. Who is a guru ? Śābde pare ca niṣṇātam ( Bhāg. 11.3.21 ): a guru is one who has full transcendental knowledge. Unless one approaches a spiritual master, one remains in ignorance. Ācāryavān puruṣo veda ( Chāndogya Upaniṣad 6.14.2): one has full knowledge about life when one is ācāryavān, controlled by the ācārya. But when one is conducted by rajo-guṇa and tamo-guṇa, one does not care about anything; instead, one acts like an ordinary foolish animal, risking his life ( mṛtyu-saṁsāra-vartmani ) and therefore continuing to go through suffering after suffering. Na te viduḥ svārtha-gatiṁ hi viṣṇum ( Bhāg. 7.5.31 ). Such a foolish person does not know how to elevate himself in this body. Instead, he indulges in sinful activities and goes deeper and deeper into hellish life.
FAQs
This verse states that even if the body is praised as ‘divine’ in life, it ends as worms, stool, and ashes—therefore it is not worth committing sin for.
He explains that violence and exploitation done for the body’s sake is ignorance of true self-interest, because such actions lead to hellish reactions (niraya).
Recognize bodily gain and prestige as temporary, avoid causing harm for profit or pleasure, and choose dharmic, compassionate living aligned with devotion to God.