Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 26
Vānaprastha-vidhi and Sannyāsa-dharma: Austerity, Detachment, and the Paramahaṁsa Ideal
नैतद् वस्तुतया पश्येद् दृश्यमानं विनश्यति । असक्तचित्तो विरमेदिहामुत्र चिकीर्षितात् ॥ २६ ॥
naitad vastutayā paśyed dṛśyamānaṁ vinaśyati asakta-citto viramed ihāmutra-cikīrṣitāt
Man soll niemals das, was sichtbar vergeht, als höchste Wirklichkeit ansehen. Mit einem von Anhaftung freien Bewusstsein ziehe man sich von allen Tätigkeiten zurück, die auf materiellen Fortschritt in diesem und im nächsten Leben zielen.
One may doubt how a gentleman can retire from family life and live as a beggar, eating meager foodstuffs. The Lord here responds by stating that sumptuous or palatable foods — along with all other material objects, such as the body itself — should never be seen as ultimate reality, since they are obviously perishable items. One should retire from material programs destined to enhance the quality of one’s illusion both in this life and the next.
FAQs
This verse states that what is merely seen is subject to destruction; therefore it should not be treated as ultimate reality.
Kṛṣṇa was guiding Uddhava toward liberation by teaching him to give up attachment and cease fruitive striving aimed at enjoyment in this world or the next.
Recognize the impermanence of possessions and outcomes, reduce obsession with results, and act without attachment—prioritizing spiritual purpose over worldly gain.