1404 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 4, Ch. 29
TEXT 32
Tatar  saygnaTy |
~
TAF ATES ATTA AHA (NR
duhkhesv ekatarenapi
daiva-bhiitdtma-hetusu
Jivasya na vyavacchedah
sydc cet tat-tat-pratikriya
duhkhesu—in the matter of distresses; ekatarena—from one kind; api—
even; daiva—providence; bhitta—other living entities; dtma—the body and
mind; hetusu—on account of; jivasya—of the living entity; na—never;
vyavacchedah—stopping; syat—is possible; cet—although; tat-tat—of those
miseries; pratikriya— counteraction.
TRANSLATION
The living entities are trying to counteract different miserable conditions
pertaining to providence, other living entities, or the body and mind. Still,
they must remain conditioned by the laws of nature, despite all attempts
to counter these laws.
PURPORT
Just as a dog wanders here and there for a piece of bread or punishment,
the living entity perpetually wanders about trying to be happy and plan-
ning in so many ways to counteract material misery. This is called the
struggle for existence. We can actually see in our daily lives how we are
forced to make plans to drive away miserable conditions. To get rid of one
miserable condition, we have to put ourselves in another kind of miserable
condition. A poor man suffers for want of money, but if he wants to
become rich, he has to struggle in so many ways. Actually that is not a
valid counteracting process but a snare of the illusory energy. If one does
not endeavor to counteract his situation but is satisfied with his position,
knowing that he has obtained his position through past activities, he can
instead engage his energy to develop Krsna consciousness. This is recom-
mended in all Vedic literature.
tasyaiva hetoh prayateta kovido
na labhyate yad-bhramatam upary adhah
tal-labhyate duhkhavad anyatah sukham
kalena sarvatra gabhira-ramhasa
