Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 8
Citraketu’s Detachment, Nārada’s Mantra, and the Darśana of Anantadeva
एवं योनिगतो जीव: स नित्यो निरहङ्कृत: । यावद्यत्रोपलभ्येत तावत्स्वत्वं हि तस्य तत् ॥ ८ ॥
evaṁ yoni-gato jīvaḥ sa nityo nirahaṅkṛtaḥ yāvad yatropalabhyeta tāvat svatvaṁ hi tasya tat
Even though one living entity becomes connected with another because of a relationship based on bodies that are perishable, the living entity is eternal. Actually it is the body that is born or lost, not the living entity. One should not accept that the living entity takes birth or dies. The living being actually has no relationship with so-called fathers and mothers. As long as he appears as the son of a certain father and mother as a result of his past fruitive activities, he has a connection with the body given by that father and mother. Thus he falsely accepts himself as their son and acts affectionately. After he dies, however, the relationship is finished. Under these circumstances, one should not be falsely involved with jubilation and lamentation.
When the living entity lives within the material body, he falsely thinks that he is the body, although actually he is not. His relationship with his body and his so-called father and mother are false, illusory conceptions. These illusions continue as long as one is not enlightened about the situation of the living entity.
FAQs
This verse states that the jīva is eternal and actually free from false ego; ‘ownership’ of a body is only temporary—lasting only as long as that body is perceived as one’s identity.
He highlights that the sense of ‘I am this body’ and ‘this is mine’ is a mistaken overlay on the eternal self, which fuels attachment and sorrow when bodies and relationships change.
By remembering that identity and possession tied to the body are temporary, one can practice steadier detachment, reduce grief-driven reactions, and refocus on the soul’s lasting relationship with Bhagavān.