Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 68
Kṛṣṇa’s Impending Departure; Uddhava’s Surrender; King Yadu and the Avadhūta’s Twenty-Four Gurus
Beginnings
अहो मे पश्यतापायमल्पपुण्यस्य दुर्मते: । अतृप्तस्याकृतार्थस्य गृहस्त्रैवर्गिकोहत: ॥ ६८ ॥
aho me paśyatāpāyam alpa-puṇyasya durmateḥ atṛptasyākṛtārthasya gṛhas trai-vargiko hataḥ
唉，看看我现在是如何毁灭的！我显然是个大傻瓜，福报浅薄。我既未能满足自己，也未能实现人生的目标。作为我宗教信仰、经济发展和感官享受基础的家庭，现在已经彻底毁了。
Śrīla Śrīdhara Svāmī explains that the word atṛptasya indicates that the pigeon was not satisfied with the sense gratification he had achieved. Although he was completely attached to his wife, children and nest, he could not sufficiently enjoy them since there is ultimately no satisfaction in such things. Akṛtārthasya indicates that his hopes and dreams for future expansion of his sense gratification were now also ruined. People commonly refer to their “home, sweet home” as their nest, and money put aside for future sense gratification is called a nest egg. Therefore, all of the love birds of the material world should clearly note how their so-called wife, children and fortune will all be dragged away in the hunter’s net. In other words, death will finish everything.
FAQs
This verse explains that chronic dissatisfaction (atṛpti) and lack of real purpose arise when one lives for dharma, wealth, and enjoyment without seeking the soul’s ultimate fulfillment—devotion and liberation.
He is not condemning family life itself, but warning that household life centered only on the three worldly goals (traivarga) can “ruin” one by keeping the heart unsatisfied and diverting one from the highest goal—bhakti and mokṣa.
Pursue responsibilities and prosperity, but add a clear spiritual center—daily sādhana, devotion, and service—so life is not driven only by achievement and pleasure, which the verse says cannot satisfy the soul.