Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 15
Karma-vāda Critiqued, Varṇāśrama Reframed, and the Soul’s Distinction from the Body
अथैषाम् कर्मकर्तृणां भोक्तृणां सुखदु:खयो: । नानात्वमथ नित्यत्वं लोककालागमात्मनाम् ॥ १४ ॥ मन्यसे सर्वभावानां संस्था ह्यौत्पत्तिकी यथा । तत्तदाकृतिभेदेन जायते भिद्यते च धी: ॥ १५ ॥ एवमप्यङ्ग सर्वेषां देहिनां देहयोगत: । कालावयवत: सन्ति भावा जन्मादयोऽसकृत् ॥ १६ ॥
athaiṣām karma-kartṝṇāṁ bhoktṝṇāṁ sukha-duḥkhayoḥ nānātvam atha nityatvaṁ loka-kālāgamātmanām
เขายังเห็นว่าสภาวะทั้งปวงตั้งอยู่ราวกับเกิดขึ้นเองตามธรรมชาติ และเพราะความต่างแห่งรูปทรงของสิ่งทั้งหลาย ปัญญาจึงเกิดและแตกแปรเปลี่ยนไป ดังนั้นเขาจึงว่า ความรู้ไม่เป็นหนึ่งและไม่เป็นนิรันดร์
In this verse, according to Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura, Lord Kṛṣṇa speaks the following to Uddhava. “My dear Uddhava, I have clearly established the actual goal of life in the instructions I have just imparted to you. There are those, however, who challenge My conclusion, especially the followers of Jaimini Kavi. If you are favorable to their understanding and thus do not accept My instructions, then kindly hear the following explanation.
FAQs
This verse frames the common assumption that living beings are independent doers and enjoyers; Kṛṣṇa is about to analyze and correct that view by deeper discrimination of reality.
In the Uddhava Gītā, Kṛṣṇa guides Uddhava beyond ordinary notions of many separate agents and permanent worldly categories, preparing him for higher spiritual understanding and detachment.
Notice the tendency to identify as the sole “doer” and “enjoyer”; cultivating humility, responsibility without ego, and remembrance of the Supreme reduces anxiety around pleasure and pain.