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
O mga naninirahan sa Vaikuṇṭha, kayo’y walang sala; ngunit sa mundong materyal, lahat ng may katawan ay mga karmī—mabuti man o masama ang gawa. Dahil nadungisan ng tatlong guṇa, napipilitan silang kumilos ayon dito. Ang tumanggap ng katawan ay di maaaring manatiling walang gawa; kaya lahat ng nilalang dito ay mapaparusahan.
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.