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.
ข้าแต่พระผู้ไม่อาจพิชิตได้ ใครเล่าในโลกนี้จะไม่ถูกพิชิตด้วยมายาอันไม่อาจพิชิตของพระองค์? ผู้ใดไม่บูชาดอกบัวแห่งพระบาทของมหาภักตะ ปัญญาของผู้นั้นย่อมถูกมายาปกคลุม และธรรมชาติของเขาถูกคลื่นแห่งความเพลิดเพลินทางวัตถุซึ่งดุจพิษพัดพาไป หนทางของมายานี้ไม่มีผู้ใดมองเห็น และไม่มีผู้ใดบอกได้ว่ามันทำงานอย่างไร
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.