222 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 7, Ch. 9

diseases; virohah—the place for generating; nirvidyate—become sati-
ated; na—not; tu—but; janah—people in general; yat api—although;
iti—thus; vidvén—so-called learned philosophers, scientists and politi-
cians; kama-analam—the blazing fire of lusty desires; madhu-lavaih —
with drops of honey (happiness); samayan—controlling; durépaih—
very difficult to obtain.

TRANSLATION

In this material world, every living entity desires some future
happiness, which is exactly like a mirage in the desert. Where is
water in the desert, or, in other words, where is happiness in this
material world? As for this body, what is its value? It is merely a
source of various diseases. The so-called philosophers, scientists
and politicians know this very well, but nonetheless they aspire for
temporary happiness. Happiness is very difficult to obtain, but be-
cause they are unable to control their senses, they run after the so-
called happiness of the material world and never come to the right
conclusion.

PURPORT

There is a song in the Bengali language which states, “‘I constructed
this home for happiness, but unfortunately there was a fire, and every-
thing has now been burnt to ashes.” This illustrates the nature of ma-
terial happiness. Everyone knows it, but nonetheless one plans to hear or
think something very pleasing. Unfortunately, all of one’s plans are an-
nihilated in due course of time. There were many politicians who plan-
ned empires, supremacy and control of the world, but in due time all
their plans and empires—and even the politicians themselves—were
vanquished. Everyone should take lessons from Prahlada Maharaja about
how we are engaged in so-called temporary happiness through bodily ex-
ercises for sense enjoyment. All of us repeatedly make plans, which are
all repeatedly frustrated. Therefore one should stop such planmaking.

As one cannot stop a blazing fire by constantly pouring ghee upon it,
one cannot satisfy oneself by increasing plans for sense enjoyment. The
blazing fire is bhava-maha-davagni, the forest fire of material existence.
This forest fire occurs automatically, without endeavor. We want to be
