Shloka 28
Pṛthu Mahārāja Meets the Four Kumāras: Bhakti as the Boat Across Saṁsāra
आत्मानमिन्द्रियार्थं च परं यदुभयोरपि । सत्याशय उपाधौ वै पुमान् पश्यति नान्यदा ॥ २८ ॥
ātmānam indriyārthaṁ ca paraṁ yad ubhayor api saty āśaya upādhau vai pumān paśyati nānyadā
When the soul lives for sense gratification, it fashions many desires and thus becomes bound by designations (upādhis). But in the transcendental state, one is interested in nothing except fulfilling the will of the Lord.
Being covered by material desires, a spirit soul is also considered to be covered by designations belonging to a particular type of body. Thus he considers himself an animal, man, demigod, bird, beast, etc. In so many ways he is influenced by false identification caused by false egotism, and being covered by illusory material desires, he distinguishes between matter and spirit. When one is devoid of such distinctions, there is no longer a difference between matter and spirit. At that time, the spirit is the only predominating factor. As long as one is covered by material desires, he thinks himself the master or the enjoyer. Thus he acts for sense gratification and becomes subjected to material pangs, happiness and distress. But when one is freed from such a concept of life, he is no longer subjected to designations, and he envisions everything as spiritual in connection with the Supreme Lord. This is explained by Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī in his Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu (1.2.255):
FAQs
This verse says that one can perceive the self, sense-objects, and the Supreme beyond both only when one’s intention is truthful and one is situated beyond false designations (upādhis); otherwise such vision does not arise.
In Canto 4 Chapter 22, Pṛthu Mahārāja instructs the citizens on right spiritual understanding—urging them to rise above bodily identification and cultivate genuine realization that culminates in perceiving the Supreme Truth.
Practice detachment from labels like status, profession, and ego-based identity, and align daily choices with truthfulness and spiritual purpose; this clears perception so the self and the Supreme can be understood beyond mere sensory life.