Shloka 27
Pṛthu Mahārāja Meets the Four Kumāras: Bhakti as the Boat Across Saṁsāra
दग्धाशयो मुक्तसमस्ततद्गुणो नैवात्मनो बहिरन्तर्विचष्टे । परात्मनोर्यद्वयवधानं पुरस्तात् स्वप्ने यथा पुरुषस्तद्विनाशे ॥ २७ ॥
dagdhāśayo mukta-samasta-tad-guṇo naivātmano bahir antar vicaṣṭe parātmanor yad-vyavadhānaṁ purastāt svapne yathā puruṣas tad-vināśe
When one’s material desires are burned away and one is freed from all material qualities, one no longer perceives a division between outer and inner action. Then the difference between the ātman and the Paramātman that seemed to exist before self-realization is dissolved—just as, when a dream ends, no distinction remains between the dream and the dreamer.
As described by Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī ( anyābhilāṣitā-śūnyam ), one must be devoid of all material desires. When a person becomes devoid of all material desires, there is no longer need for speculative knowledge or fruitive activities. In that condition it is to be understood that one is free from the material body. The example is already given above — a coconut which is dry is loosened from its outward husk. This is the stage of liberation. As said in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (2.10.6) , mukti (liberation) means svarūpeṇa vyavasthitiḥ, being situated in one’s own constitutional position. All material desires are present as long as one is in the bodily concept of life, but when one realizes that he is an eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa, his desires are no longer material. A devotee acts in this consciousness. In other words, when material desires in connection with the body are finished, one is actually liberated.
FAQs
It teaches that liberation comes when inner desires are burned away; then the false sense of separation between the jīva and the Supreme is removed, like a dream dissolving upon waking.
He explains that perceived divisions—inner/outer, self/other—are products of ignorance; as awakening ends a dream’s illusions, realization ends the imagined barrier between the soul and Paramātmā.
By practicing devotion and self-discipline to reduce desire-driven reactions, one gradually sees beyond ego-based separations and develops steadier God-consciousness in all situations.