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
Hỡi cư dân Vaikuṇṭha, các ngươi vô tội; nhưng trong thế giới vật chất này, mọi kẻ mang thân đều là kẻ làm nghiệp—dù thiện hay ác. Do nhiễm ba guṇa, họ buộc phải hành động theo đó. Ai đã nhận thân vật chất không thể bất động; vì vậy mọi chúng sinh nơi đây đều đáng bị trừng phạt.
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.