182 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 10, Ch. 10

bhita-dhruk tat-krte svartham
kim veda nirayo yatah

deva-samjnitam—the body now known as a very exalted person, like
president, minister or even demigod; api—even if the body is so exalted;
ante—after death; krmi—turns into worms; vit—or into stool; bhasma-
sarnjhitam—or into ashes; bhita-dhruk—a person who does not accept
the sdstric injunctions and is unnecessarily envious of other living en-
tities; tat-krte—by acting in that way; sva-artham—self-interest; kim—
who is there; veda—who knows; nirayah yatah—because from such
sinful activities one must suffer hellish conditions.

TRANSLATION

While living one may be proud of one’s body, thinking oneself a
very big man, minister, president or even demigod, but whatever
one may be, after death this body will turn either into worms, into
stool or into ashes. If one kills poor animals to satisfy the tempo-
rary whims of this body, one does not know that he will suffer in
his next birth, for such a sinful miscreant must go to hell and
suffer the results of his actions.

PURPORT

In this verse the three words krmi-vid-bhasma are significant. After
death, the body may become krmi, which means “‘worms,” for if the
body is disposed of without cremation, it may be eaten by worms; or else
it may be eaten by animals like hogs and vultures and be turned into
stool. Those who are more civilized burn the dead body, and thus it be-
comes ashes (bhasma-samjritam). Yet although the body will be turned
into worms, stool or ashes, foolish persons, just to maintain it, commit
many sinful activities. This is certainly regrettable. The human form of
body is actually meant for jivasya tattva-jijfidsd, enlightenment in
knowledge of spiritual values. Therefore, one must seek shelter of a bona
fide spiritual master. Tasmad gururh prapadyeta: one must approach a
guru. Who is a guru? Sabde pare ca nisnatam (Bhag. 11.3.21): a guru is
one who has full transcendental knowledge. Unless one approaches a
spiritual master, one remains in ignorance. Acdryavan puruso veda
