Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 12
Nondual Vision Beyond Praise and Blame
Dvandva-nivṛtti and Ātma-viveka
श्रीभगवानुवाच यावद् देहेन्द्रियप्राणैरात्मन: सन्निकर्षणम् । संसार: फलवांस्तावदपार्थोऽप्यविवेकिन: ॥ १२ ॥
śrī-bhagavān uvāca yāvad dehendriya-prāṇair ātmanaḥ sannikarṣaṇam saṁsāraḥ phalavāṁs tāvad apārtho ’py avivekinaḥ
Le Seigneur Suprême dit : Tant que l’âme insensée demeure attirée par le corps, les sens et le souffle vital, son existence matérielle continue de prospérer comme si elle portait du fruit, bien qu’en définitive elle soit dénuée de sens véritable.
Here the word sannikarṣaṇam indicates that the pure spirit soul voluntarily connects himself with the material body, considering this a most fruitful arrangement. Actually, the situation is apārtha, useless, unless one uses one’s embodied situation to engage in the loving service of the Lord. At that time one’s connection is actually with Lord Kṛṣṇa, not with the body, which becomes a mere instrument for executing one’s higher purpose.
FAQs
This verse says saṁsāra persists as long as the soul maintains close identification with the body, senses, and prāṇa; that misidentification keeps karmic results flowing.
In the Uddhava Gītā, Kṛṣṇa teaches Uddhava the root of bondage—mistaking the self for the body-sense-prāṇa complex—so that Uddhava can cultivate discrimination and become free.
Notice when identity is tied to the body, status, or emotions, and practice seeing yourself as the conscious self; this reduces compulsive reactions and loosens attachment that fuels repeated suffering.