Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 17
Paramahaṁsa-Dharma: The Avadhūta-like Sannyāsī and Prahlāda’s Dialogue with the ‘Python’ Saint
बिभर्षि कायं पीवानं सोद्यमो भोगवान्यथा ॥ १६ ॥ वित्तं चैवोद्यमवतां भोगो वित्तवतामिह । भोगिनां खलु देहोऽयं पीवा भवति नान्यथा ॥ १७ ॥
bibharṣi kāyaṁ pīvānaṁ sodyamo bhogavān yathā
你的身体十分肥壮，宛如沉溺享乐的世人；可你并不为生计而劳作。世间勤奋者得财，富有者得享受；沉迷享受的人因只吃只睡不作工，身体便愈发肥胖。
Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura did not like his disciples to become very fat in the course of time. He would become very anxious upon seeing his fat disciples becoming bhogīs, or enjoyers of the senses. This attitude is herewith confirmed by Prahlāda Mahārāja, who was surprised to see a saintly person adopting ājagara-vṛtti and becoming very fat. In the material world also, we generally see that when a man who is poor and skinny gradually endeavors to earn money through business or some other means and he then gets the money, he enjoys the senses to his satisfaction. By enjoying the senses one becomes fat. Therefore in spiritual advancement becoming fat is not at all satisfactory.
FAQs
This verse warns that merely maintaining a strong body through strenuous effort can mirror the life of a sense-enjoyer if it is not directed toward spiritual realization and devotion.
While instructing Yudhiṣṭhira on varṇāśrama and the goal of life, Nārada highlights that effort without higher purpose can become indistinguishable from material enjoyment.
Work and care for health, but regularly examine the motive—align effort with dharma, self-control, and bhakti rather than status, indulgence, or mere bodily comfort.