FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 6.16.58

लब्ध्वेह मानुषीं योनिं ज्ञानविज्ञानसम्भवाम् । आत्मानं यो न बुद्ध्येत न क्‍वचित्क्षेममाप्नुयात् ॥ ५८ ॥
labdhveha mānuṣīṁ yoniṁ
[labdhveha maanusheem yonim]
jñāna-vijñāna-sambhavām
[jnaana-vijnaana-sambhavaam]
ātmānaṁ yo na buddhyeta
[aatmaanam yo na buddhyeta]
na kvacit kṣemam āpnuyāt
[na kvachit kshemam aapnuyaat]
Word-for-word
labdhvā — achieving iha — in this material world (especially in this pious land of Bhārata-varṣa, India) mānuṣīm — the human yonim — species jñāna — of knowledge through Vedic scriptures vijñāna — and practical application of that knowledge in life sambhavām — wherein there is a possibility ātmānam — one’s real identity yaḥ — anyone who na — not buddhyeta — understands na — never kvacit — at any time kṣemam — success in life āpnuyāt — can obtain.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
labdhveha mānuṣīṁ yoniṁ
labdhvā
achieving
iha
in this material world (especially in this pious land of Bhārata-varṣa, India)
mānuṣīm
the human
yonim
species
jñāna-vijñāna-sambhavām
jñāna
of knowledge through Vedic scriptures
vijñāna
and practical application of that knowledge in life
sambhavām
wherein there is a possibility
ātmānaṁ yo na buddhyeta
ātmānam
one’s real identity
na kvacit kṣemam āpnuyāt
yaḥ
anyone who
na
not
buddhyeta
understands
na
never
kvacit
at any time
kṣemam
success in life
āpnuyāt
can obtain.
A human being can attain perfection in life by self-realization through the Vedic literature and its practical application. This is possible especially for a human being born in India, the land of piety. A man who obtains birth in such a convenient position but does not understand his self is unable to achieve the highest perfection, even if he is exalted to life in the higher planetary systems.
Purport

This statement is confirmed in Caitanya-caritāmṛta ( Ādi 9.41) . Lord Caitanya said:

bhārata-bhūmite haila manuṣya-janma yāra janma sārthaka kari’ kara para-upakāra

Everyone born in India, especially as a human being, can achieve the supreme success through the Vedic literature and its practical application in life. When one is perfect, he can render a service for the self-realization of the entire human society. This is the best way to perform humanitarian work.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
Having achieved human birth in which scriptural knowledge and direct perception of the Lord are possible, a person who does not understand about the jīva and the Supreme Lord does not attain any benefit at all from that birth. One must strive for such knowledge. Jñānam here refers to knowledge arising from scriptures. Vijñānam means direct realization of the Lord. Both jñāna and vijñāna are possible in human birth. Aṭmānam here means the jīva and the Supreme Lord.
Related lectures
Personal Guidance
A human being, especially in India, can attain perfection by Vedic literature applied; otherwise life is wasted. Geography and birth matter; tradition matters; application matters.
Reflection Questions
  • Have I taken seriously the spiritual advantage of the tradition I was given?
  • Where am I letting that advantage slip into waste?
📝 My note

Source: vedabase.io

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