FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 3.30.5

नरकस्थोऽपि देहं वै न पुमांस्त्यक्तुमिच्छति । नारक्यां निर्वृतौ सत्यां देवमायाविमोहित: ॥ ५ ॥
naraka-stho ’pi dehaṁ vai
[naraka-stho ’pi deham vai]
na pumāṁs tyaktum icchati
[na pumaams tyaktum ichchati]
nārakyāṁ nirvṛtau satyāṁ
[naarakyaam nirvritau satyaam]
deva-māyā-vimohitaḥ
[deva-maayaa-vimohitah]
naraka — in hell sthaḥ — situated api — even deham — body vai — indeed na — not pumān — person tyaktum — to leave icchati — wishes nārakyām — hellish nirvṛtau — enjoyment satyām — when existing deva-māyā — by the illusory energy of Viṣṇu vimohitaḥ — deluded.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
naraka-stho ’pi dehaṁ vai
naraka
in hell
sthaḥ
situated
na pumāṁs tyaktum icchati
api
even
nārakyāṁ nirvṛtau satyāṁ
deva-māyā-vimohitaḥ
deham
body
vai
indeed
na
not
pumān
person
tyaktum
to leave
icchati
wishes
nārakyām
hellish
nirvṛtau
enjoyment
satyām
when existing
deva-māyā
by the illusory energy of Viṣṇu
vimohitaḥ
deluded.
The conditioned living entity is satisfied in his own particular species of life; while deluded by the covering influence of the illusory energy, he feels little inclined to cast off his body, even when in hell, for he takes delight in hellish enjoyment.

It is said that once Indra, the King of heaven, was cursed by his spiritual master, Bṛhaspati, on account of his misbehavior, and he became a hog on this planet. After many days, when Brahmā wanted to recall him to his heavenly kingdom, Indra, in the form of a hog, forgot everything of his royal position in the heavenly kingdom, and he refused to go back. This is the spell of māyā. Even Indra forgets his heavenly standard of life and is satisfied with the standard of a hog’s life. By the influence of māyā the conditioned soul becomes so affectionate towards his particular type of body that if he is offered, “Give up this body, and immediately you will have a king’s body,” he will not agree. This attachment strongly affects all conditioned living entities. Lord Kṛṣṇa is personally canvassing, “Give up everything in this material world. Come to Me, and I shall give you all protection,” but we are not agreeable. We think, “We are quite all right. Why should we surrender unto Kṛṣṇa and go back to His kingdom?” This is called illusion, or māyā. Everyone is satisfied with his standard of living, however abominable it may be.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
Even placed in hell, he does not desire to give up that body, since, bewildered by the Lord’s māyā, he enjoys hellish existence. The enjoyments of hell (nārakyām) are the food, association with women and items he obtains there.
The verse points at the threefold miseries not to depress the reader but to interrupt the fantasy that the next arrangement will finally be different. Its centre of gravity is spiritual master.
Reflection Questions
  • What 'if only X happens, I'll finally be fine' story are you still telling yourself?
  • How would you live this week if you stopped expecting the material world to finally cooperate?
📝 My note

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