Shloka 2.108.17
जाबाल्युपदेशः — Jabali’s Pragmatic Counsel to Rama
स नास्ति परमित्येव कुरु बुद्धिं महामते।प्रत्यक्षं यत्तदातिष्ठ परोक्षं पृष्ठतः कुरु।।।।
tasmān mātā pitā ceti rāma sajjeta yo naraḥ |
unmatta iva sa jñeyo nāsti kaścid dhi kasyacit ||
Therefore, O Rāma, the man who clings to notions like ‘mother’ and ‘father’ should be regarded as if mad; for in truth no one belongs to anyone.
O high-minded one! thinking that the next world does not exist, practise whichever is evident and perceivable. And turn your back on what is beyond perception.
It warns against blind attachment (moha). Dharma requires clear-sightedness: relationships are meaningful in conduct, but possessive clinging distorts judgment and duty.
Bharata continues a radical detachment argument while addressing Rāma, attempting to reshape how Rāma evaluates family ties and obligation.
Non-attachment (asakti) and mental clarity—freedom from delusion-driven dependence.