Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 28
Bhagīratha Brings Gaṅgā; Saudāsa’s Curse; Khaṭvāṅga’s Instant Renunciation
देहोऽयं मानुषो राजन् पुरुषस्याखिलार्थद: । तस्मादस्य वधो वीर सर्वार्थवध उच्यते ॥ २८ ॥
deho ’yaṁ mānuṣo rājan puruṣasyākhilārthadaḥ tasmād asya vadho vīra sarvārtha-vadha ucyate
ఓ రాజా, ఓ వీరా! ఈ మానవ దేహం మనుష్యునికి సమస్త పురుషార్థాలను ప్రసాదించేది; కాబట్టి దీనిని అకాలంలో హతముచేయడం అన్నీ ప్రయోజనాలను హతముచేయడమే అని చెప్పబడుతుంది.
Śrīla Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura has sung:
FAQs
This verse states that the human body is uniquely capable of granting all life’s aims—including spiritual realization—so harming it is treated as ruining one’s greatest opportunity.
Śukadeva instructs Parīkṣit on the sacred purpose of human life, emphasizing that one should protect and properly use this rare human birth for higher goals, especially devotion and liberation.
Treat your life and health as spiritual assets: avoid self-destructive habits, cultivate sādhana (hearing/chanting), and make choices that support dharma and bhakti rather than wasting this rare opportunity.