FolioCorpusBhagavad-gītā

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.13.21

రాజోవాచ అహో నృజన్మాఖిలజన్మశోభనం కిం జన్మభిస్త్వపరైరప్యముష్మిన్ । న యద్‌ధృషీకేశయశ:కృతాత్మనాం మహాత్మనాం వ: ప్రచుర: సమాగమ: ॥ ౨౧ ॥
rājovāca
[raajovaacha]
aho nṛ-janmākhila-janma-śobhanaṁ
[aho nri-janmaakhila-janma-shobhanam]
kiṁ janmabhis tv aparair apy amuṣmin
[kim janmabhis tv aparair apy amushmin]
na yad dhṛṣīkeśa-yaśaḥ-kṛtātmanāṁ
[na yad dhrisheekesha-yashah-kritaatmanaam]
mahātmanāṁ vaḥ pracuraḥ samāgamaḥ
[mahaatmanaam vah prachurah samaagamah]
rājā uvāca — King Rahūgaṇa said aho — alas nṛ-janma — you who have taken birth as a human being akhila-janma-śobhanam — the best of all species of life kim — what need janmabhiḥ — with births in a higher species like the demigods in the heavenly planets tu — but aparaiḥ — not superior api — indeed amuṣmin — in the next birth na — not yat — which hṛṣīkeśa-yaśaḥ — by the glories of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hṛṣīkeśa, the master of all senses kṛta-ātmanām — of those whose hearts are purified mahā-ātmanām — who are actually great souls vaḥ — of us pracuraḥ — abundant samāgamaḥ — the association.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
rājovāca
rājā uvāca
King Rahūgaṇa said
aho nṛ-janmākhila-janma-śobhanaṁ
aho
alas
nṛ-janma
you who have taken birth as a human being
akhila-janma-śobhanam
the best of all species of life
kiṁ janmabhis tv aparair apy amuṣmin
kim
what need
janmabhiḥ
with births in a higher species like the demigods in the heavenly planets
tu
but
aparaiḥ
not superior
api
indeed
amuṣmin
in the next birth
na yad dhṛṣīkeśa-yaśaḥ-kṛtātmanāṁ
na
not
yat
which
hṛṣīkeśa-yaśaḥ
by the glories of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hṛṣīkeśa, the master of all senses
kṛta-ātmanām
of those whose hearts are purified
mahā-ātmanām
who are actually great souls
mahātmanāṁ vaḥ pracuraḥ samāgamaḥ
vaḥ
of us
pracuraḥ
abundant
samāgamaḥ
the association.
King Rahūgaṇa said: This birth as a human being is the best of all. Even birth among the demigods in the heavenly planets is not as glorious as birth as a human being on this earth. What is the use of the exalted position of a demigod? In the heavenly planets, due to profuse material comforts, there is no possibility of associating with devotees.

Human birth is a great opportunity for self-realization. One may take birth in a high planetary system among the demigods, but due to the profusion of material comforts, one cannot gain release from material bondage. Even on this earth those who are very opulent do not generally care to take to Kṛṣṇa consciousness. An intelligent person actually interested in getting freed from the material clutches must associate with pure devotees. By such association, one can gradually become detached from the material attraction of money and women. Money and women are the basic principles of material attachment. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu therefore advised those who are actually serious about returning back to Godhead to give up money and women in order to be fit to enter the kingdom of God. Money and women can be fully utilized in the service of the Lord, and one who can utilize them in this way can become freed from material bondage. Satāṁ prasaṅgān mama vīrya-saṁvido bhavanti hṛt-karṇa-rasāyanāḥ kathāḥ ( Bhāg. 3.25.25 ). Only in the association of devotees can one relish the glorification of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Just through a little association with a pure devotee, one can become successful in his journey back to Godhead.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
The King said: Human birth is the most splendid. What use is any other birth in which there is no intimate association of great devotees whose whole being is composed of glorification of the Lord? How have I suddenly become so fortunate? With astonishment he wonders. Among all births, human life is splendid in this astonishing world. There is nothing better in next life in Svarga. What is the use of those births as devatās in which there is no association with great devotees, whose souls, efforts, intelligence, mind and bodies are made only of glorification of the Lord who engages their senses?
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