Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 14
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
Mahal kong Uddhava, may mga pilosopong sumasalungat sa aking pasya. Itinuturing nila ang jīva na likas na tagagawa ng karma at tagatikim ng ligaya at pighati mula sa sariling gawa; at sinasabi nilang ang daigdig, panahon, mga banal na kasulatan, at ang sarili ay sari-sari at walang hanggan sa tuloy-tuloy na pagbabago. Sinasabi rin nilang ang kaalaman ay hindi maaaring iisa o walang hanggan sapagkat nagmumula ito sa nag-iibang anyo ng mga bagay, kaya nagbabago rin ang kaalaman. Ngunit kahit tanggapin ang ganitong pananaw, mananatiling paulit-ulit ang kapanganakan, kamatayan, pagtanda, at karamdaman, sapagkat ang lahat ng nilalang ay kailangang tumanggap ng katawang materyal na nasa ilalim ng kapangyarihan ng panahon.
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 challenges the assumption that there are many independent doers and enjoyers; it prompts inquiry into the deeper reality beyond bodily identification and false ego.
In the Uddhava-gītā context, Kṛṣṇa guides Uddhava toward clear discrimination about reality—questioning common beliefs about individuality, time, and the world to expose the workings of māyā.
When facing pleasure or pain, reflect that your identity is not merely the body-mind ‘doer’; this reduces anxiety, blame, and pride, and supports steady devotional practice.