Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 11.19.18
कर्मणां परिणामित्वादाविरिञ्च्यादमङ्गलम् ।
विपश्चिन्नश्वरं पश्येददृष्टमपि दृष्टवत् ॥ १८ ॥
karmaṇāṁ pariṇāmitvād
[karmanaam parinaamitvaad]
ā-viriñcyād amaṅgalam
[aa-virinchyaad amangalam]
vipaścin naśvaraṁ paśyed
[vipashchin nashvaram pashyed]
adṛṣṭam api dṛṣṭa-vat
[adrishtam api drishta-vat]
Word-for-word
karmaṇām
—
of material activities
pariṇāmitvāt
—
because of being subject to transformation
ā
—
up to
viriñcyāt
—
the planet of Lord Brahmā
amaṅgalam
—
inauspicious unhappiness
vipaścit
—
an intelligent person
naśvaram
—
as temporary
paśyet
—
should see
adṛṣṭam
—
that which he has not yet experienced
api
—
indeed
dṛṣṭa-vat
—
just like that already experienced.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
karmaṇāṁ pariṇāmitvād
karmaṇām
of material activities
pariṇāmitvāt
because of being subject to transformation
ā
up to
ā-viriñcyād amaṅgalam
viriñcyāt
the planet of Lord Brahmā
amaṅgalam
inauspicious unhappiness
vipaścin naśvaraṁ paśyed
vipaścit
an intelligent person
naśvaram
as temporary
paśyet
should see
adṛṣṭam api dṛṣṭa-vat
adṛṣṭam
that which he has not yet experienced
api
indeed
dṛṣṭa-vat
just like that already experienced.
An intelligent person should see that any material activity is subject to constant transformation and that even on the planet of Lord Brahmā there is thus simply unhappiness. Indeed, a wise man can understand that just as all that he has seen is temporary, similarly, all things within the universe have a beginning and an end.
Purport
The word adṛṣṭam indicates the heavenly standard of life available in the higher planets within this universe. Such celestial neighborhoods are not actually experienced on the earth planet, although they are described in the Vedic literatures. One may argue that promotion to material heaven is recommended in the karma-kāṇḍa portion of the Vedas and that although the happiness available there is not eternal, at least for some time one may enjoy life. Lord Kṛṣṇa here states, however, that even on the planet of Lord Brahmā, which is superior to the heavenly planets, there is no happiness whatsoever. Even in the upper planetary systems there is rivalry, envy, irritation, lamentation and ultimately death itself.
— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura
Gauḍīya
Translation
The wise man should see that, because of transformations of karma, even the happiness on the planet of Brahma, what to speak of that experienced on earth, is temporary and inauspicious.
“Though Svarga does not have eternal pleasure, it gives pleasure for some time.” Since they are mere transformations of karma, one should see the happiness of even Brahma-loka, unseen, by us, as well as that of earthly kingdoms, which are seen by us, to be temporary and inauspicious. They are inauspicious because they are filled with competition and envy.
Personal Guidance
Material activity is constant transformation; even on Brahmā's planet there is unhappiness; just as all I have seen is temporary, all I will see will be too. Inductive simplicity dismantles ambition.
Reflection Questions
- What does it cost me to admit that even my best future hopes will pass?
- What practice accepts impermanence without despair?
My note
Source: vedabase.io