Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 22
The Forest of Material Existence (Saṁsāra-vana) and the Delivering Path of Bharata’s Teachings
कर्हि स्म चित्काममधुलवान् विचिन्वन् यदा परदारपरद्रव्याण्यवरुन्धानो राज्ञा स्वामिभिर्वा निहत: पतत्यपारे निरये ॥ २२ ॥
karhi sma cit kāma-madhu-lavān vicinvan yadā para-dāra-para-drav-yāṇy avarundhāno rājñā svāmibhir vā nihataḥ pataty apāre niraye.
Às vezes, buscando a pequena doçura do prazer dos sentidos, ele se envolve em sexo ilícito com a esposa alheia ou rouba a propriedade de outrem; então é preso pelo governo ou castigado pelo marido/protetor, e por uma satisfação mínima cai numa condição infernal, em prisão e desonra.
Material life is such that due to indulgence in illicit sex, gambling, intoxication and meat-eating, the conditioned soul is always in a dangerous condition. Meat-eating and intoxication excite the senses more and more, and the conditioned soul falls victim to women. In order to keep women, money is required, and to acquire money, one begs, borrows or steals. Indeed, he commits abominable acts that cause him to suffer both in this life and in the next. Consequently illicit sex must be stopped by those who are spiritually inclined or who are on the path of spiritual realization. Many devotees fall down due to illicit sex. They may steal money and even fall down from the highly honored renounced order. Then for a livelihood they accept menial services and become beggars. It is therefore said in the śāstras, yan maithunādi-gṛhamedhi-sukhaṁ hi tuccham: materialism is based on sex, whether licit or illicit. Sex is full of dangers even for those who are addicted to household life. Whether one has a license for sex or not, there is great trouble. Bahu-duḥkha-bhāk: after one indulges in sex, many volumes of miseries ensue. One suffers more and more in material life. A miserly person cannot properly utilize the wealth he has, and similarly a materialistic person misuses the human form. Instead of using it for spiritual emancipation, he uses the body for sense gratification. Therefore he is called a miser.
FAQs
This verse states that chasing lust leads one to seize others’ wives or wealth, resulting in severe punishment—by rulers or owners—and a fall into hellish suffering.
He portrays lust as a tempting sweetness that lures the conditioned soul deeper into the dangerous ‘forest’ of material life, where one meets suffering and karmic reactions.
Protect one’s character by honoring others’ relationships and property, restraining the senses, and cultivating devotion and self-discipline to avoid destructive karmic consequences.