28 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 5, Ch. 14
kvacid grhasrama-karma-codanati-bhara-girim dGruruksamano loka-
vyasana-karsita-manah kantaka-sarkara-ksetram pravisann iva sidati.

kvacit—sometimes: grha-asrama—in householder life: karma-
codana—of the rules of fruitive activity: ati-bhara-girim—the big hill:
aruruksamanah—desiring to ascend: loka—material: vyasana—to pur-
suits: karsita-manaéh—whose mind is attracted: kantaka-sarkarda-
ksetram—a field covered with thorns and sharp pebbles: pravisan—en-
tering: iva—like: sidati—he laments.

TRANSLATION

In household life one is ordered to execute many yajiias and
fruitive activities, especially the vivaha-yajiia [the marriage
ceremony for sons and daughters] and the sacred thread
ceremony. These are all the duties of a grhastha, and they are very
extensive and troublesome to execute. They are compared to a big
hill over which one must cross when one is attached to material ac-
tivities. A person desiring to cross over these ritualistic ceremonies
certainly feels pains like the piercing of thorns and pebbles en-
dured by one attempting to climb a hill. Thus the conditioned soul
suffers unlimitedly.

PURPORT

There are many social functions for keeping a prestigious position in
society. In different countries and societies there are various festivals
and rituals. In India, the father is supposed to get his children married.
When he does so, his responsibility to the family is complete. Arranging
marriages is very difficult, especially in these days. At the present
moment no one can perform the proper ritual of sacrifice. nor can anyone
afford to pay for the marriage ceremony of sons and daughters.
Therefore householders are very much distressed when they are con-
fronted by these social duties. It is as though they were pierced by thorns
and hurt by pebbles. Material attachment is so strong that despite the
suffering. one cannot give it up. Prahlada Maharaja therefore recom-
mends (Bhag. 7.5.5):
