Shloka 14
Nābhi’s Sacrifice and Lord Viṣṇu’s Promise to Appear as a Son (Ṛṣabhadeva’s Advent Prelude)
को वा इह तेऽपराजितोऽपराजितया माययानवसितपदव्यानावृतमतिर्विषयविषरयानावृतप्रकृतिरनुपासितमहच्चरण: ॥ १४ ॥
ko vā iha te ’parājito ’parājitayā māyayānavasita-padavyānāvṛta-matir viṣaya-viṣa-rayānāvṛta-prakṛtir anupāsita-mahac-caraṇaḥ.
Senhor invencível, quem neste mundo não é vencido por Tua māyā invencível? Sem adorar os pés de lótus dos grandes devotos, a inteligência fica velada, e a natureza é coberta pelas ondas do gozo material, como veneno. Ninguém pode ver o caminho dessa energia ilusória nem explicar como ela atua.
Mahārāja Nābhi was inclined to performing great sacrifices for begetting a son. The son might be as good as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but such a material desire — be it great or insignificant — is brought about by the influence of māyā. A devotee does not at all desire anything for sense gratification. Devotion is therefore explained as devoid of material desires ( anyābhilāṣitā-śūnya ). Everyone is subjected to the influence of māyā and entangled in all kinds of material desire, and Mahārāja Nābhi was no exception. Freedom from māyā’s influence is possible when one engages in the service of the great devotees ( mahac-caraṇa-sevā ). Without worshiping the lotus feet of a great devotee, one cannot be freed from māyā’s influence. Śrīla Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura therefore says, chāḍiyā vaiṣṇava-sevā nistāra pāyeche kebā: “Who has been freed from māyā’s clutches without serving the lotus feet of a Vaiṣṇava?” Māyā is aparājita, and her influence is also aparājita. As confirmed in Bhagavad-gītā (7.14) :
FAQs
This verse says māyā is unconquerable for the conditioned soul, and the practical escape is devotion—specifically taking shelter of and serving the feet of great devotees (mahat-caraṇa).
It compares sense-objects (viṣaya) to poison (viṣa) flowing like a powerful current (raya), indicating how sense enjoyment can overwhelm one’s nature and cloud spiritual intelligence.
Avoid letting the “current” of constant stimulation (media, consumption, indulgence) dictate your mind; instead, regularly seek guidance and practices centered on saintly association and devotional service.