Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 44
Prāyaścitta, the ‘Elephant Bath’ Problem, and the Opening of Ajāmila-Upākhyāna
सम्भवन्ति हि भद्राणि विपरीतानि चानघा: । कारिणां गुणसङ्गोऽस्ति देहवान्न ह्यकर्मकृत् ॥ ४४ ॥
sambhavanti hi bhadrāṇi viparītāni cānaghāḥ kāriṇāṁ guṇa-saṅgo ’sti dehavān na hy akarma-kṛt
Ó habitantes de Vaikuṇṭha, vós sois sem pecado; porém, neste mundo material todos os que têm corpo são karmīs, ajam piedosa ou impiedosamente. Contaminados pelos três guṇas, devem agir conforme eles. Quem aceita um corpo não pode ficar inativo; por isso todos aqui são passíveis de punição.
The difference between human beings and nonhuman beings is that a human is supposed to act according to the direction of the Vedas. Unfortunately, men manufacture their own ways of acting, without reference to the Vedas. Therefore all of them commit sinful actions and are punishable.
FAQs
This verse explains that for embodied beings, outcomes arise in both auspicious and opposite ways because action is inevitably tied to association with the material modes (guṇas).
Because as long as one identifies with and operates through a material body, one must act, and that action is influenced by the guṇas—so complete non-doership is not possible on the bodily platform.
Recognize that actions bring mixed results under the guṇas; therefore act responsibly, cultivate sāttvika habits, and anchor actions in devotion so results no longer bind the heart.