Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 26
Nārada and Aṅgirā Instruct Citraketu: Impermanence, Ātma-Tattva, and Mantra-Upadeśa
तस्मात् स्वस्थेन मनसा विमृश्य गतिमात्मन: । द्वैते ध्रुवार्थविश्रम्भं त्यजोपशममाविश ॥ २६ ॥
tasmāt svasthena manasā vimṛśya gatim ātmanaḥ dvaite dhruvārtha-viśrambhaṁ tyajopaśamam āviśa
Darum erwäge mit ruhigem Geist den Weg des ātman: Bist du Körper, Geist oder Seele? Woher bist du gekommen, wohin gehst du nach dem Verlassen dieses Leibes, und warum stehst du unter der Herrschaft materieller Klage? Erkenne deine wahre Stellung, gib unnötige Anhaftung und den Glauben an die Ewigkeit weltlicher Dualität auf, und erlange Frieden.
The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is factually endeavoring to bring human society to a sober condition. Because of a misdirected civilization, people are jumping in materialistic life like cats and dogs, performing all sorts of abominable, sinful actions and becoming increasingly entangled. The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement includes self-realization because one is first directed by Lord Kṛṣṇa to understand that one is not the body but the owner of the body. When one understands this simple fact, he can direct himself toward the goal of life. Because people are not educated in terms of the goal of life, they are working like madmen and becoming more and more attached to the material atmosphere. The misguided man accepts the material condition as everlasting. One must give up his faith in material things and give up attachment for them. Then one will be sober and peaceful.
FAQs
This verse advises reflecting with a steady mind on the soul’s real destination and abandoning faith in material dualities, thereby entering true pacification (upaśama).
Citraketu was overwhelmed by lamentation; Nārada directs him to see beyond temporary dualistic identifications and turn toward inner peace rooted in understanding the self.
Practice calm reflection, reduce rigid attachment to success/failure and pleasure/pain as ultimate realities, and cultivate inner steadiness that leads to peace and spiritual clarity.