Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 41
Nārada’s Protection of Kayādhu and Prahlāda’s Womb-Instructions: Ātma-tattva and the Path of Bhakti
यदर्थ इह कर्माणि विद्वन्मान्यसकृन्नर: । करोत्यतो विपर्यासममोघं विन्दते फलम् ॥ ४१ ॥
yad-artha iha karmāṇi vidvan-māny asakṛn naraḥ karoty ato viparyāsam amoghaṁ vindate phalam
جس معاشی فائدے کے لیے مادّہ پرست آدمی خود کو بڑا دانا سمجھ کر بار بار عمل کرتا ہے، اسی عمل سے وہ لازماً الٹا نتیجہ پاتا ہے۔ اس دنیا میں یا اگلی میں وہ بار بار ناکامی دیکھتا ہے۔
No one has ever achieved the results he desired from material activities. On the contrary, everyone has been frustrated again and again. Therefore one must not waste his time in such material activities for sensual pleasure, either in this life or in the next. So many nationalists, economists and other ambitious persons have tried for happiness, individually or collectively, but history proves that they have all been frustrated. In recent history we have seen many political leaders work hard for individual and collective economic development, but they have all failed. This is the law of nature, as clearly explained in the next verse.
FAQs
This verse states that when one repeatedly acts for worldly goals—thinking it wise—such endeavor can lead to viparyāsa, an inevitable reversal, yielding results opposite to what was intended.
Prahlāda instructed the sons of demons to recognize the futility of proud, materialistic striving and to turn their intelligence toward devotion to the Lord rather than toward misguided worldly aims.
Examine your goals and motives: if constant striving increases anxiety, pride, or bondage, redirect effort toward dharma and bhakti—service, remembrance of God, and inner discipline—so actions produce lasting benefit.