FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.13.17

तैर्वञ्चितो हंसकुलं समाविश- न्नरोचयन् शीलमुपैति वानरान् । तज्जातिरासेन सुनिर्वृतेन्द्रिय: परस्परोद्वीक्षणविस्मृतावधि: ॥ १७ ॥
tair vañcito haṁsa-kulaṁ samāviśann
[tair vanchito hamsa-kulam samaavishann]
arocayan śīlam upaiti vānarān
[arochayan sheelam upaiti vaanaraan]
taj-jāti-rāsena sunirvṛtendriyaḥ
[taj-jaati-raasena sunirvritendriyah]
parasparodvīkṣaṇa-vismṛtāvadhiḥ
[parasparodveekshana-vismritaavadhih]
Word-for-word
taiḥ — by them (the cheaters and pretenders, the so-called yogīs, svāmīs, incarnations and gurus) vañcitaḥ — being cheated haṁsa-kulam — the association of great paramahaṁsas, or devotees samāviśan — contacting arocayan — not being satisfied with śīlam — their behavior upaiti — approaches vānarān — the monkeys, which are all debauchees with no good character tat-jāti-rāsena — by sense gratification in the association of such debauchees sunirvṛta-indriyaḥ — being very satisfied with getting the opportunity of sense gratification paraspara — of one another udvīkṣaṇa — by seeing the faces vismṛta — who has forgotten avadhiḥ — the end of life.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
tair vañcito haṁsa-kulaṁ samāviśann
taiḥ
by them (the cheaters and pretenders, the so-called yogīs, svāmīs, incarnations and gurus)
vañcitaḥ
being cheated
haṁsa-kulam
the association of great paramahaṁsas, or devotees
samāviśan
contacting
arocayan śīlam upaiti vānarān
arocayan
not being satisfied with
śīlam
their behavior
upaiti
approaches
vānarān
the monkeys, which are all debauchees with no good character
taj-jāti-rāsena sunirvṛtendriyaḥ
tat-jāti-rāsena
by sense gratification in the association of such debauchees
sunirvṛta-indriyaḥ
being very satisfied with getting the opportunity of sense gratification
parasparodvīkṣaṇa-vismṛtāvadhiḥ
paraspara
of one another
udvīkṣaṇa
by seeing the faces
vismṛta
who has forgotten
avadhiḥ
the end of life.
Being cheated by them, the living entity in the forest of the material world tries to give up the association of these so-called yogīs, svāmīs and incarnations and come to the association of real devotees, but due to misfortune he cannot follow the instructions of the spiritual master or advanced devotees; therefore he gives up their company and again returns to the association of monkeys who are simply interested in sense gratification and women. He derives satisfaction by associating with sense gratifiers and enjoying sex and intoxication. In this way he spoils his life simply by indulging in sex and intoxication. Looking into the faces of other sense gratifiers, he becomes forgetful and thus approaches death.
Purport

Sometimes a foolish person becomes disgusted with bad association and comes to the association of devotees and brāhmaṇas and takes initiation from a spiritual master. As advised by the spiritual master, he tries to follow the regulative principles, but due to misfortune he cannot follow the instructions of the spiritual master. He therefore gives up the company of devotees and goes to associate with simian people who are simply interested in sex and intoxication. Those who are so-called spiritualists are compared to monkeys. Outwardly, monkeys sometimes resemble sādhus because they live naked in the forest and pick fruits, but their only desire is to keep many female monkeys and enjoy sex life. Sometimes so-called spiritualists seeking a spiritual life come to associate with Kṛṣṇa conscious devotees, but they cannot execute the regulative principles or follow the path of spiritual life. Consequently they leave the association of devotees and go to associate with sense gratifiers, who are compared to monkeys. Again they revive their sex and intoxication, and looking at one another’s faces, they are thus satisfied. In this way they pass their lives up to the point of death.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
Cheated by the cranes, he contacts a group of swans, but not satisfied with their behavior, approaches some monkeys. His senses joyful because of the pleasure arising from them, he gazes at their faces and forgets about death. Understanding that they give no results, he goes to a group of brāhmaṇas, but is not satisfied with their rules for atonement and taking the sacred thread again. Not satisfied, he goes to some pretenders, almost śūdras, with fallen conduct. Satisfied with unrestricted association with women, eating and drinking, by looking at their faces he forgets that death is approaching.
Related lectures
Personal Guidance
Even when one approaches real devotees, misfortune may pull one back into degraded company — usually for sex and intoxication. The path is two steps forward, one step back. Don't be devastated by setbacks; just return to the path.
Reflection Questions
  • What pull have you been feeling back toward old company, and where will it lead if you give in?
  • What support would help you return to the path more quickly after stumbling?
📝 My note

Source: vedabase.io

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