Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 17
Bali Mahārāja’s Surrender, Prahlāda’s Praise, and the Lord’s Mercy
Sutala and Future Indrahood
यया हि विद्वानपि मुह्यते यत- स्तत् को विचष्टे गतिमात्मनो यथा । तस्मै नमस्ते जगदीश्वराय वै नारायणायाखिललोकसाक्षिणे ॥ १७ ॥
yayā hi vidvān api muhyate yatas tat ko vicaṣṭe gatim ātmano yathā tasmai namas te jagad-īśvarāya vai nārāyaṇāyākhila-loka-sākṣiṇe
物质荣华迷惑至极，甚至使有学识、能自制的人也忘却追寻自我证悟的归宿；而至上人格神那罗延，宇宙之主、诸界之见证者，随其意志洞察一切。故我向祂恭敬顶礼。
The words ko vicaṣṭe gatim ātmano yathā indicate that when one is puffed up by the false prestige of possessing material opulence, he certainly neglects the goal of self-realization. This is the position of the modern world. Because of so-called scientific improvements in material opulence, people have entirely given up the path of self-realization. Practically no one is interested in God, one’s relationship with God or how one should act. Modern men have altogether forgotten such questions because they are mad for material possessions. If this kind of civilization continues, the time will soon come when the Supreme Personality of Godhead will take away all the material opulences. Then people will come to their senses.
FAQs
This verse states that the Lord’s potency can bewilder even a vidvān (learned person), so the soul’s true course cannot be fully grasped without taking shelter of Nārāyaṇa.
In helplessness, Gajendra appeals to the all-knowing Lord who witnesses every realm and every being’s condition, affirming that the Supreme alone perfectly knows the soul’s path and can deliver.
The verse advises humility: intellectual ability has limits, so one should turn to prayer, remembrance of Nārāyaṇa, and sincere surrender when bewildered or stuck.