deha Ädy-antavÄn eá¹£a
dravya-prÄṇa-guṇÄtmakaḥ
Ätmany avidyayÄ kḷptaḥ
saá¹sÄrayati dehinam
dehaḥ - the material body; Ädi - beginning; anta - and end; vÄn - having; eá¹£aḥ - this; dravya - of the physical elements; prÄṇa - the senses; guṇa - and the primary modes of material nature (goodness, passion and ignorance); Ätmakaḥ - composed; Ätmani - on the self; avidyayÄ - by material ignorance; kḷptaḥ - imposed; saá¹sÄrayati - causes to experience the cycle of birth and death; dehinam - an embodied being.
This material body, which has a beginning and an end, is composed of the physical elements, the senses and the modes of nature. The body, imposed on the self by material ignorance, causes one to experience the cycle of birth and death.
The material body, composed of various material qualities, elements and so on, attracts and repels the conditioned soul and thus entangles him in material existence. Because of our attraction and repulsion for our own body and other bodies, we establish temporary relationships, dedicate ourselves to great endeavors and sacrifices, concoct imaginary religions, make noble speeches and thoroughly involve ourselves in material illusion. As Shakespeare said, “All the world’s a stage.†Beyond the somewhat absurd theater of material existence is the real and meaningful world of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, the liberated life of pure souls devoted in loving service to the Supreme Lord.
