Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 6
The Forest of Material Existence: Jaḍa Bharata Instructs King Rahūgaṇa
क्वचिद्वितोया: सरितोऽभियाति परस्परं चालषते निरन्ध: । आसाद्य दावं क्वचिदग्नितप्तो निर्विद्यते क्व च यक्षैर्हृतासु: ॥ ६ ॥
kvacid vitoyāḥ sarito ’bhiyāti parasparaṁ cālaṣate nirandhaḥ āsādya dāvaṁ kvacid agni-tapto nirvidyate kva ca yakṣair hṛtāsuḥ
有时他跳入浅河；有时因缺乏粮食而走投无路，向毫不施舍的人乞讨。又有时他受家庭生活的灼热所逼，如同森林大火焚烧。还有时，他因国王以重税之名掠夺他视若生命的财富而忧苦厌倦。
When one is hot due to the scorching sun, one sometimes jumps into a river to gain relief. However, if the river is almost dried up and the water is too shallow, one may break his bones by jumping in. The conditioned soul is always experiencing miserable conditions. Sometimes his efforts to get help from friends are exactly like jumping into a dry river. By such actions, he does not derive any benefit. He only breaks his bones. Sometimes, suffering from a shortage of food, one may go to a person who is neither able to give charity nor willing to do so. Sometimes one is stationed in household life, which is compared to a forest fire ( saṁsāra-dāvānala-līḍha-loka ). When a man is heavily taxed by the government, he becomes very sad. Heavy taxation obliges one to hide his income, but despite this endeavor the government agents are often so vigilant and strong that they take all the money anyway, and the conditioned soul becomes very aggrieved.
FAQs
This verse portrays samsara as a perilous journey—dry rivers (frustrated hopes), forest fires (sudden calamities), and life being stolen by hostile forces—urging detachment and spiritual shelter.
Jada Bharata used vivid images to awaken Rahugana from bodily pride and worldly confidence, showing that material existence is inherently unsafe and cannot provide lasting protection.
Recognize that plans and comforts can fail abruptly; therefore cultivate steady bhakti, simplify desires, and seek inner refuge through hearing, chanting, and remembering the Lord rather than relying solely on external security.