Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 12
The Deliverance of Nalakūvara and Maṇigrīva
Yamala-Arjuna Līlā Prelude and Culmination
एवं साधारणं देहमव्यक्तप्रभवाप्ययम् । को विद्वानात्मसात्कृत्वा हन्ति जन्तूनृतेऽसत: ॥ १२ ॥
evaṁ sādhāraṇaṁ deham avyakta-prabhavāpyayam ko vidvān ātmasāt kṛtvā hanti jantūn ṛte ’sataḥ
此身由未显之自然生起，复又毁灭而归并于诸元素；故它本为众人共有。既如此，除愚人外，谁会将其据为“我有”，并为维持此身而任性造作如杀害众生之罪？此等罪行唯鲁钝者方能为之。
Atheists do not believe in the existence of the soul. Nonetheless, unless one is very cruel, why should one kill animals unnecessarily? The body is a manifestation of a combination of matter. In the beginning it was nothing, but by a combination of matter it has come into existence. Then again, when the combination is dismantled, the body will no longer exist. In the beginning it was nothing, and in the end it will be nothing. Why then should one commit sinful activities when it is manifested? It is not possible for anyone to do this unless he is rascal number one.
FAQs
This verse says the body is temporary and common to all; a truly wise person does not mistake it for the self and therefore does not harm other living beings on the basis of such false identity.
Śukadeva Gosvāmī speaks this verse while narrating the episode and drawing the moral lesson about the temporary body and the virtue of nonviolence.
Practice seeing others beyond external labels (body, status, group identity), and cultivate compassion and restraint—reducing harm in speech, action, and choices—because the true self is not the temporary body.