Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 5
Bondage and Liberation Under Māyā; Two Birds Analogy; Marks of the Saintly Devotee
अथ बद्धस्य मुक्तस्य वैलक्षण्यं वदामि ते । विरुद्धधर्मिणोस्तात स्थितयोरेकधर्मिणि ॥ ५ ॥
atha baddhasya muktasya vailakṣaṇyaṁ vadāmi te viruddha-dharmiṇos tāta sthitayor eka-dharmiṇi
À présent, cher Uddhava, je vais te dire les traits distinctifs de l’âme liée et du Seigneur éternellement libéré. Dans un même corps se manifestent des qualités opposées, comme joie et peine, car y résident à la fois Bhagavān, toujours libre, et le jīva conditionné.
In verse 36 of the previous chapter, Uddhava inquired about the different symptoms of liberated and conditioned life. Śrīla Śrīdhara Svāmī explains that the characteristics of bondage and liberation may be understood in two divisions — as the difference between the ordinary conditioned soul and the eternally liberated Personality of Godhead, or as the difference between conditioned and liberated living entities in the jīva category. The Lord will first explain the difference between the ordinary living entity and the Supreme Personality of Godhead, which may be understood as the difference between the controlled and the controller.
FAQs
In this verse, Krishna says He will explain the distinguishing signs of the bound (baddha) and liberated (mukta) states—opposite in qualities—yet both pertaining to the same jiva, depending on consciousness and conditioning.
In the Uddhava Gita, Uddhava seeks clear spiritual guidance. Krishna begins outlining how bondage and liberation are understood, preparing Uddhava to recognize the symptoms and pathway to freedom.
Use the teaching to self-assess: notice conditioning (attachments, false identification) versus liberation-oriented qualities (detachment, devotion, clarity), and deliberately cultivate the latter through bhakti and disciplined awareness.