Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 15
The Lord’s Supervision of Embodiment: Fetal Development, Womb-Suffering, and the Jīva’s Prayer (Garbha-stuti) — and the Trap of Māyā
यन्माययोरुगुणकर्मनिबन्धनेऽस्मिन् सांसारिके पथि चरंस्तदभिश्रमेण । नष्टस्मृति: पुनरयं प्रवृणीत लोकं युक्त्या कया महदनुग्रहमन्तरेण ॥ १५ ॥
yan-māyayoru-guṇa-karma-nibandhane ’smin sāṁsārike pathi caraṁs tad-abhiśrameṇa naṣṭa-smṛtiḥ punar ayaṁ pravṛṇīta lokaṁ yuktyā kayā mahad-anugraham antareṇa
Dưới ảnh hưởng māyā của Chúa, chúng sinh bước đi trên con đường luân hồi bị trói bởi nhiều phẩm tính và nghiệp, vật lộn gian nan đến nỗi quên mất mối liên hệ với Ngài, rồi lại chọn vòng xoay thế gian này hết lần này đến lần khác. Vậy nếu không có đại ân của Chúa, bằng cách nào họ có thể trở lại phụng sự Ngài với tình yêu bhakti siêu việt?
The Māyāvādī philosophers say that simply by cultivation of knowledge by mental speculation, one can be liberated from the condition of material bondage. But here it is said one is liberated not by knowledge but by the mercy of the Supreme Lord. The knowledge the conditioned soul gains by mental speculation, however powerful it may be, is always too imperfect to approach the Absolute Truth. It is said that without the mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead one cannot understand Him or His actual form, quality and name. Those who are not in devotional service go on speculating for many, many thousands of years, but they are still unable to understand the nature of the Absolute Truth.
FAQs
This verse says the jīva is bound by māyā through guṇa and karma, and cannot truly choose the right path again merely by reasoning; liberation begins through the great mercy of saintly devotees (mahat-anugraha).
Because the conditioned soul becomes forgetful of his real identity while wandering in saṁsāra; Kapila teaches Devahūti that only the grace of advanced devotees can awaken genuine remembrance and turn one toward bhakti.
Seek regular association with sincere devotees, hear Bhagavatam from authentic sources, and accept guidance in daily practice—because self-help logic alone often cannot break deep habits formed by guṇa and karma.