Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 5
Nondual Vision Beyond Praise and Blame
Dvandva-nivṛtti and Ātma-viveka
छायाप्रत्याह्वयाभासा ह्यसन्तोऽप्यर्थकारिण: । एवं देहादयो भावा यच्छन्त्यामृत्युतो भयम् ॥ ५ ॥
chāyā-pratyāhvayābhāsā hy asanto ’py artha-kāriṇaḥ evaṁ dehādayo bhāvā yacchanty ā-mṛtyuto bhayam
Obwohl Schatten, Echo und Trugbild unwirklich sind, bewirken sie doch den Anschein einer sinnvollen Wahrnehmung. Ebenso erzeugt die illusorische Identifikation der bedingten Seele mit Körper, Geist und Ich bis zum Augenblick des Todes Furcht.
Although shadows, echoes and mirages are mere reflections of real substances, they create strong emotions in persons falsely accepting them as real. In the same manner, a conditioned soul is seized by such emotions as fear, lust, anger and hope because of his illusory perception of himself as the material body, mind and false ego. By practical example it is thus shown that even illusory objects may cause highly emotional reactions. Ultimately our emotions should be absorbed in the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is eternal truth. Fear is forever vanquished when one takes shelter of the Lord’s lotus feet. One can then enjoy the pure emotions of liberated life.
FAQs
This verse explains that even if the body is ultimately unreal in relation to the eternal Self, identification with it produces tangible fear—culminating in fear of death—just as a mirage or echo can still create a real response.
In the Uddhava Gita teachings, Krishna guides Uddhava to discriminate between the eternal soul and temporary appearances; this verse highlights how illusion can still bind one through fear, motivating detachment and spiritual realization.
Treat anxiety rooted in status, body, or possessions as a product of misidentification; strengthen daily remembrance of the soul and devotion to Krishna so temporary conditions no longer dominate the mind with fear.