Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana Book 5 Chapter 14:30-40

Book 5: Chapter 14

Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 5: Chapter 14: Verses 30-40 Jadabharata elucidated the meaning of the allegory When they are grossly betrayed by those self-deluded heretics, they take up their residence with the Brahmana race. But, not liking their (pious) way, such as investiture with the sacred thread and the worship of Lord Visnu (the Deity presiding over the sacrifices carried on by them) through the performance of rituals enjoined (both) by the Vedas and the Smrti-texts, they join the Sudra community, who like the monkey race get paired and maintain their families by recourse to (what is regarded as) impurity when judged from the standard of right conduct as laid down in the Vedas. Indulging in unrestrained licence there too, they feel sorely distressed in mind and remaining engrossed in vulgar pursuits such as looking at the the face of their wife and vice versa, forget (even the time of their) death. Sometimes, seeking delight in the household life, which like trees serves their worldly interests alone, they conceive (excessive) fondness for their sons and wife and find pleasure like the monkey race in coition (alone and are thus unable to secure release from the bondage of worldly existence). Thus experiencing joy and sorrow on the way, they fall into adversity in the form of ailments and so on, fearful as a ravine, and remain in (constant) terror of the elephant (there) in the form of death. Now, unable to counteract manifold unpleasant experiences-such as cold, wind and so on-brought about by divine agency or any other being or those relating to one's own body or mind, they are worried with (the thought of) innumerable objects of sense. Sometimes entering into business dealings with their own fellow-men, they secure some wealth through stinginess. Now, reduced to poverty and deprived of (all) enjoyments (comforts) in the shape of a bed (to sleep on), a mat to squat on, food to eat and other such things, they make up their mind to attain (by foul means such as theft) the objects of their desire when denied to them and meet with ignominy and so on at the hands of (different) people. In this way though their feeling of enmity (with others) is enhanced through (mutual) attraction for wealth, they enter into matrimonial alliances with one another and subsequently dissolve them according to the tendencies of their past lives.(Nay,) if anyone, afflicted with manifold agonies and obstacles, meets with a calamity or dies on this road, others-as is well-known-leave him wherever he is and, taking (with them) every new-born child, give way to grief, infatuation and fear, quarrel (with those who oppose them), cry (in distress), are transported with joy (under favourable circumstances), sing (in a sprightly mood) and are bound (by others stronger than they). With the exception of pious souls this company of men, however, never returns even to this day to the point (God) whence this road (of-mundane existence) commences and which the learned declare as the end of the road (as well). The aforesaid men do not take to the discipline of Yoga (Devotion) nor do they attain the supreme state (which can be reached through Devotion alone and) which is easily attained (only) by sages who have shed (all forms of) violence, who are naturally given to self-control and who have withdrawn their mind from all worldly objects. Nor do the royal sages who have conquered the elephants guarding the quarters as well as the four intervening corners, and who perform (big) sacrifices listen to this teaching; they would rather bite the dust in battle (and remain lying) on the very earth for whose sake they entered into enmity with others, accounting it as their own, and which they had ultimately to abandon, themselves withdrawing (from the scene).