Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 44
The Song of the Avantī Brāhmaṇa (Avanti-brāhmaṇa-gītā): Mind as the Root of Suffering and Equanimity Amid Insult
अनीह आत्मा मनसा समीहता हिरण्मयो मत्सख उद्विचष्टे । मन: स्वलिङ्गं परिगृह्य कामान् जुषन् निबद्धो गुणसङ्गतोऽसौ ॥ ४४ ॥
anīha ātmā manasā samīhatā hiraṇ-mayo mat-sakha udvicaṣṭe manaḥ sva-liṅgaṁ parigṛhya kāmān juṣan nibaddho guṇa-saṅgato ’sau
Bien qu’Il soit présent avec le mental qui lutte dans le corps matériel, le Paramatma ne s’efforce pas, car Il est déjà comblé de lumière transcendante. En ami, Il demeure simple témoin depuis Sa position spirituelle. Moi, l’âme infime, j’ai enlacé ce mental —miroir du monde— et, goûtant aux objets du désir, je me trouve enlacé par le contact des guṇa de la nature.
FAQs
This verse explains that the soul is a witness and inactive by nature, but when it identifies with the mind and enjoys desires, it becomes bound through association with the material modes (guṇas).
Because Uddhava seeks the path of liberation and devotion; Krishna clarifies that bondage comes from mind-driven enjoyment and identification, while freedom comes from witnessing detachment and spiritual orientation.
Practice observing thoughts without immediately acting on them, reduce indulgence in compulsive desires, and redirect the mind toward bhakti—hearing, chanting, and remembering the Lord.