Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 14
Nābhi’s Sacrifice and Lord Viṣṇu’s Promise to Appear as a Son (Ṛṣabhadeva’s Advent Prelude)
को वा इह तेऽपराजितोऽपराजितया माययानवसितपदव्यानावृतमतिर्विषयविषरयानावृतप्रकृतिरनुपासितमहच्चरण: ॥ १४ ॥
ko vā iha te ’parājito ’parājitayā māyayānavasita-padavyānāvṛta-matir viṣaya-viṣa-rayānāvṛta-prakṛtir anupāsita-mahac-caraṇaḥ.
不可战胜的主啊，在此世间有谁不被您不可战胜的幻力（māyā）所征服？若不敬奉大奉献者的莲足，人的智慧便被幻力遮蔽，本性也被如毒般的物欲浪潮所淹没。无人能看见这幻力的路径，也无人能说清它如何运作。
Mahārāja Nābhi was inclined to performing great sacrifices for begetting a son. The son might be as good as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but such a material desire — be it great or insignificant — is brought about by the influence of māyā. A devotee does not at all desire anything for sense gratification. Devotion is therefore explained as devoid of material desires ( anyābhilāṣitā-śūnya ). Everyone is subjected to the influence of māyā and entangled in all kinds of material desire, and Mahārāja Nābhi was no exception. Freedom from māyā’s influence is possible when one engages in the service of the great devotees ( mahac-caraṇa-sevā ). Without worshiping the lotus feet of a great devotee, one cannot be freed from māyā’s influence. Śrīla Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura therefore says, chāḍiyā vaiṣṇava-sevā nistāra pāyeche kebā: “Who has been freed from māyā’s clutches without serving the lotus feet of a Vaiṣṇava?” Māyā is aparājita, and her influence is also aparājita. As confirmed in Bhagavad-gītā (7.14) :
FAQs
This verse says māyā is unconquerable for the conditioned soul, and the practical escape is devotion—specifically taking shelter of and serving the feet of great devotees (mahat-caraṇa).
It compares sense-objects (viṣaya) to poison (viṣa) flowing like a powerful current (raya), indicating how sense enjoyment can overwhelm one’s nature and cloud spiritual intelligence.
Avoid letting the “current” of constant stimulation (media, consumption, indulgence) dictate your mind; instead, regularly seek guidance and practices centered on saintly association and devotional service.