Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 43
Kali-yuga’s Degradation, the Advent of Kalki, and the Reset of the Yuga Cycle
तेजोऽबन्नमयं कायं गृहीत्वात्मतयाबुधा: । महीं ममतया चोभौ हित्वान्तेऽदर्शनं गता: ॥ ४३ ॥
tejo-’b-anna-mayaṁ kāyaṁ gṛhītvātmatayābudhāḥ mahīṁ mamatayā cobhau hitvānte ’darśanaṁ gatāḥ
Although the foolish accept the body made of earth, water and fire as “me” and this earth as “mine,” in every case they have ultimately abandoned both their body and the earth and passed away into oblivion.
Although the soul is eternal, our so-called family tradition and earthly fame will certainly pass into oblivion.
FAQs
This verse says the foolish accept the material body—made of elemental matter—as the self, which fuels bondage and ends only when the body is finally abandoned at death.
Here mamatā is possessiveness toward the earth—land, property, and material holdings—along with attachment to the body; both are ultimately left behind.
Reduce bodily obsession and possessiveness by cultivating remembrance of the soul and service to Bhagavān—living responsibly, but without the false claim of absolute ownership.