Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 31
Brahmacarya and Vānaprastha Duties; Gradual Dissolution of Bodily Identity
इत्यक्षरतयात्मानं चिन्मात्रमवशेषितम् । ज्ञात्वाद्वयोऽथ विरमेद् दग्धयोनिरिवानल: ॥ ३१ ॥
ity akṣaratayātmānaṁ cin-mātram avaśeṣitam jñātvādvayo ’tha viramed dagdha-yonir ivānalaḥ
Ainsi, lorsque toutes les désignations matérielles se sont fondues dans leurs éléments respectifs, il faut savoir qu’il ne demeure que l’ātman impérissable, pure conscience. Se connaissant non-duel et de même qualité que l’Être Suprême, le jīva doit cesser l’existence matérielle, comme la flamme s’éteint lorsque le bois qui la nourrit est consumé.
Thus end the Bhaktivedanta purports of the Seventh Canto, Twelfth Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled “The Perfect Society: Four Spiritual Classes.”
FAQs
It teaches that when one realizes the imperishable self as pure consciousness, one understands the nondual truth (advaya) and naturally ceases material attachment.
Because just as fire stops when its fuel is exhausted, a realized person’s worldly impulses fade when ignorance and material identification are destroyed by true knowledge.
Practice steady self-inquiry and devotional remembrance so that identity shifts from temporary roles to the imperishable self; with that clarity, cravings and distractions weaken on their own.