Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 18
Paramahaṁsa-Dharma: The Avadhūta-like Sannyāsī and Prahlāda’s Dialogue with the ‘Python’ Saint
न ते शयानस्य निरुद्यमस्य ब्रह्मन्नु हार्थो यत एव भोग: । अभोगिनोऽयं तव विप्र देह: पीवा यतस्तद्वद न: क्षमं चेत् ॥ १८ ॥
na te śayānasya nirudyamasya brahman nu hārtho yata eva bhogaḥ abhogino ’yaṁ tava vipra dehaḥ pīvā yatas tad vada naḥ kṣamaṁ cet
噢通晓超越真理的婆罗门，你无所作为而卧；也可知你并无财物供感官享受。那么你的身体为何如此肥壮？若我所问不算冒昧，愿你慈悲说明其因。
Generally those engaged in spiritual advancement take food only once, either in the afternoon or in the evening. If one takes food only once, naturally he does not become fat. The learned sage, however, was quite fat, and therefore Prahlāda Mahārāja was very much surprised. Because of being experienced in self-realization, a transcendentalist certainly becomes bright-faced. And one who is advanced in self-realization must be considered to possess the body of a brāhmaṇa. Because the bright-faced saintly person was lying down and not working and yet was quite fat, Prahlāda Mahārāja was puzzled and wanted to question him about this.
FAQs
This verse contrasts idle living that leads only to bhoga (sense enjoyment) with the life of a true renunciant, whose body is maintained without being dedicated to enjoyment—implying dependence on higher arrangement and inner contentment.
Seeing a mendicant who appears healthy despite not pursuing work or pleasures, they ask respectfully how he maintains himself—setting the stage for teachings on detachment, contentment, and spiritual wisdom.
Reduce life centered on consumption, cultivate contentment, and seek wisdom from saintly persons—maintaining the body responsibly while keeping the goal as inner realization rather than pleasure.