Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 14
Karma-vāda Critiqued, Varṇāśrama Reframed, and the Soul’s Distinction from the Body
अथैषाम् कर्मकर्तृणां भोक्तृणां सुखदु:खयो: । नानात्वमथ नित्यत्वं लोककालागमात्मनाम् ॥ १४ ॥ मन्यसे सर्वभावानां संस्था ह्यौत्पत्तिकी यथा । तत्तदाकृतिभेदेन जायते भिद्यते च धी: ॥ १५ ॥ एवमप्यङ्ग सर्वेषां देहिनां देहयोगत: । कालावयवत: सन्ति भावा जन्मादयोऽसकृत् ॥ १६ ॥
athaiṣām karma-kartṝṇāṁ bhoktṝṇāṁ sukha-duḥkhayoḥ nānātvam atha nityatvaṁ loka-kālāgamātmanām
亲爱的乌达婆，有些哲人反驳我的结论：他们认为众生本性是造作业行者，并以自身业所招感的乐与苦为受用者；又说世界、时间、启示经典与自我皆多样且常住，处于无尽的变迁之流。他们还主张知识不可能是一且恒常，因为它从对象不断变化的形相而生，故知识亦随之变。即便接受此说，由于一切有情必须受取受时间支配的物质之身，生、死、老、病仍将反复不息。
In this verse, according to Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura, Lord Kṛṣṇa speaks the following to Uddhava. “My dear Uddhava, I have clearly established the actual goal of life in the instructions I have just imparted to you. There are those, however, who challenge My conclusion, especially the followers of Jaimini Kavi. If you are favorable to their understanding and thus do not accept My instructions, then kindly hear the following explanation.
FAQs
This verse challenges the assumption that there are many independent doers and enjoyers; it prompts inquiry into the deeper reality beyond bodily identification and false ego.
In the Uddhava-gītā context, Kṛṣṇa guides Uddhava toward clear discrimination about reality—questioning common beliefs about individuality, time, and the world to expose the workings of māyā.
When facing pleasure or pain, reflect that your identity is not merely the body-mind ‘doer’; this reduces anxiety, blame, and pride, and supports steady devotional practice.