Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 34
Varṇāśrama-Dharma and the Thirty Qualities of a Human Being
उप्यमानं मुहु: क्षेत्रं स्वयं निर्वीर्यतामियात् । न कल्पते पुन: सूत्यै उप्तं बीजं च नश्यति ॥ ३३ ॥ एवं कामाशयं चित्तं कामानामतिसेवया । विरज्येत यथा राजन्नग्निवत् कामबिन्दुभि: ॥ ३४ ॥
upyamānaṁ muhuḥ kṣetraṁ svayaṁ nirvīryatām iyāt na kalpate punaḥ sūtyai uptaṁ bījaṁ ca naśyati
Cũng vậy, tâu Đại vương, tâm nương nơi dục vọng sẽ trở nên chán lìa nhờ sự buông thả quá mức; như lửa không tắt bởi vài giọt bơ tinh khiết, nhưng có thể tắt bởi dòng bơ tràn mạnh.
If one continuously sprinkles drops of ghee on a fire, the fire will not be extinguished, but if one suddenly puts a lump of ghee on a fire, the fire may possibly be extinguished entirely. Similarly, those who are too sinful and have thus been born in the lower classes are allowed to enjoy sinful activities fully, for thus there is a chance that these activities will become detestful to them, and they will get the opportunity to be purified.
FAQs
This verse compares repeated stimulation to over-ploughing a field: the inner potency is depleted, and even good efforts (like sowing seed) fail to bear fruit.
Prahlāda instructs the king on dharma and self-mastery, using practical analogies to show how uncontrolled habits weaken one’s capacity for spiritual progress.
Reduce repetitive sense-stimulation, create healthy boundaries, and protect your mental “soil” so that spiritual practices like japa, study, and service can actually take root.