Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 25
Prahlāda’s Prayers Pacify Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva
Prahlāda-stuti and the Lord’s Benediction Offer
कुत्राशिष: श्रुतिसुखा मृगतृष्णिरूपा: क्वेदं कलेवरमशेषरुजां विरोह: । निर्विद्यते न तु जनो यदपीति विद्वान् कामानलं मधुलवै: शमयन्दुरापै: ॥ २५ ॥
kutrāśiṣaḥ śruti-sukhā mṛgatṛṣṇi-rūpāḥ kvedaṁ kalevaram aśeṣa-rujāṁ virohaḥ nirvidyate na tu jano yad apīti vidvān kāmānalaṁ madhu-lavaiḥ śamayan durāpaiḥ
在这物质世界里，众生对未来幸福的希求如同沙漠海市蜃楼——沙漠何处有水？也就是说，此世何处有真乐？至于此身，又有何价？不过是百病滋生之处。哲人、学者、政客明知如此，却仍不厌离；因不能制伏诸根，便追逐暂时之乐，犹如以难得的蜜滴去熄灭欲火。
There is a song in the Bengali language which states, “I constructed this home for happiness, but unfortunately there was a fire, and everything has now been burnt to ashes.” This illustrates the nature of material happiness. Everyone knows it, but nonetheless one plans to hear or think something very pleasing. Unfortunately, all of one’s plans are annihilated in due course of time. There were many politicians who planned empires, supremacy and control of the world, but in due time all their plans and empires — and even the politicians themselves — were vanquished. Everyone should take lessons from Prahlāda Mahārāja about how we are engaged in so-called temporary happiness through bodily exercises for sense enjoyment. All of us repeatedly make plans, which are all repeatedly frustrated. Therefore one should stop such planmaking.
FAQs
This verse compares attractive promises and pleasures to a mirage—sweet to hear and seemingly satisfying, yet ultimately unreal and unable to remove suffering or give lasting fulfillment.
While offering prayers, Prahlada highlights the root bondage of the conditioned soul: attachment to the painful body and the attempt to satisfy desire through fleeting pleasures instead of surrendering in devotion.
Recognize how quick pleasures fail to calm deeper craving; reduce indulgence that fuels desire, and redirect attention to steady practices like hearing, chanting, and service that cultivate real contentment and detachment.