Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 12
Citraketu’s Detachment, Nārada’s Mantra, and the Darśana of Anantadeva
श्रीबादरायणिरुवाच इत्युदीर्य गतो जीवो ज्ञातयस्तस्य ते तदा । विस्मिता मुमुचु: शोकं छित्त्वात्मस्नेहशृङ्खलाम् ॥ १२ ॥
śrī-bādarāyaṇir uvāca ity udīrya gato jīvo jñātayas tasya te tadā vismitā mumucuḥ śokaṁ chittvātma-sneha-śṛṅkhalām
Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: When the conditioned soul [jīva] in the form of Mahārāja Citraketu’s son had spoken in this way and then left, Citraketu and the other relatives of the dead son were all astonished. Thus they cut off the shackles of their affection, which was due to their relationship with him, and gave up their lamentation.
FAQs
This verse says that when one understands the soul’s departure and the temporary nature of bodily relations, grief can be released by cutting the chain of bodily affection (ātma-sneha-śṛṅkhalā).
Śukadeva Gosvāmī narrates that after the soul departed, the relatives—now astonished by the instruction and realization—abandoned lamentation, recognizing the difference between the soul and the body.
Practice seeing loved ones as eternal souls rather than possessions, remember life’s impermanence, and deepen bhakti through hearing and chanting—so affection becomes spiritual care, not binding attachment.