Shloka 17
The Lord’s Supervision of Embodiment: Fetal Development, Womb-Suffering, and the Jīva’s Prayer (Garbha-stuti) — and the Trap of Māyā
देह्यन्यदेहविवरे जठराग्निनासृग्- विण्मूत्रकूपपतितो भृशतप्तदेह: । इच्छन्नितो विवसितुं गणयन्स्वमासान् निर्वास्यते कृपणधीर्भगवन्कदा नु ॥ १७ ॥
dehy anya-deha-vivare jaṭharāgnināsṛg- viṇ-mūtra-kūpa-patito bhṛśa-tapta-dehaḥ icchann ito vivasituṁ gaṇayan sva-māsān nirvāsyate kṛpaṇa-dhīr bhagavan kadā nu
Sa sinapupunan ng ina, nahulog sa hukay ng dugo, dumi at ihi, at sinusunog ng apoy ng tiyan ang katawan; ang kaluluwang may katawan ay sabik makalabas, binibilang ang mga buwan at nananalangin: “O Bhagavān, kailan ako, abang nilalang, palalayain sa pagkakakulong na ito?”
The precarious condition of the living entity within the womb of his mother is described here. On one side of where the child is floating is the heat of gastric fire, and on the other side are urine, stool, blood and discharges. After seven months the child, who has regained his consciousness, feels the horrible condition of his existence and prays to the Lord. Counting the months until his release, he becomes greatly anxious to get out of the confinement. The so-called civilized man does not take account of this horrible condition of life, and sometimes, for the purpose of sense gratification, he tries to kill the child by methods of contraception or abortion. Unserious about the horrible condition in the womb, such persons continue in materialism, grossly misusing the chance of the human form of life.
FAQs
This verse describes the jīva trapped in the mother’s womb, tormented by digestive fire and impurity, desperately wanting release—highlighting the misery of material embodiment and the need to seek Bhagavān.
Kapila emphasizes the stark reality of embodied life to awaken detachment (vairāgya) and urgency for spiritual refuge, showing that material existence begins in severe discomfort and impurity.
Remembering the inherent suffering of saṁsāra helps reduce obsession with bodily comfort and motivates consistent bhakti—hearing, chanting, and living with spiritual priorities.