Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 18
The Forest of Material Existence: Jaḍa Bharata Instructs King Rahūgaṇa
द्रुमेषु रंस्यन् सुतदारवत्सलो व्यवायदीनो विवश: स्वबन्धने । क्वचित्प्रमादाद् गिरिकन्दरे पतन् वल्लीं गृहीत्वा गजभीत आस्थित: ॥ १८ ॥
drumeṣu raṁsyan suta-dāra-vatsalo vyavāya-dīno vivaśaḥ sva-bandhane kvacit pramādād giri-kandare patan vallīṁ gṛhītvā gaja-bhīta āsthitaḥ
当众生变得如猴子般在枝间跳跃时，便停留在家庭生活之树上，除性欲外无所获益，且在自缚中无助。又有时因疏忽而坠入山洞，如同陷入不治之疾；惧怕洞后如象般的死亡，便抓住藤蔓枝条而悬滞其间。
The precarious condition of a householder’s life is described herein. A householder’s life is full of misery, and the only attraction is sex with the wife who kicks him during sexual intercourse, just as the she-ass does her mate. Due to continuous sex life, he falls victim to many incurable diseases. At that time, being afraid of death, which is like an elephant, he remains hanging from the twigs and branches of the tree, just like a monkey.
FAQs
This verse describes how excessive affection for spouse and children, combined with indulgence in sense pleasure, makes a person helplessly bound in self-created material bondage.
The imagery conveys overwhelming, sudden terror in material life—when one slips due to negligence, he clings desperately for survival, haunted by powerful dangers beyond his control.
Moderate sense enjoyment, avoid negligence, and cultivate spiritual priorities—otherwise comfort-based life can quickly turn into anxiety and dependence when circumstances collapse.