Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 13
Kurukṣetra Pilgrimage: Sages Praise Kṛṣṇa; Vasudeva Inquires on Karma; Viṣṇu-yajña Performed
यस्यात्मबुद्धि: कुणपे त्रिधातुके स्वधी: कलत्रादिषु भौम इज्यधी: । यत्तीर्थबुद्धि: सलिले न कर्हिचि- ज्जनेष्वभिज्ञेषु स एव गोखर: ॥ १३ ॥
yasyātma-buddhiḥ kuṇape tri-dhātuke sva-dhīḥ kalatrādiṣu bhauma ijya-dhīḥ yat-tīrtha-buddhiḥ salile na karhicij janeṣv abhijñeṣu sa eva go-kharaḥ
जो अपने को कफ-पित्त-वायु से बने जड़ शरीर में ही आत्मा माने, पत्नी-परिवार आदि को ही ‘मेरा’ समझे, मिट्टी की मूर्ति या जन्मभूमि को ही पूज्य माने, और तीर्थ को केवल वहाँ के जल में ही देखे—पर जो कभी आत्म-तत्त्व के ज्ञानी जनों से अपना तादात्म्य, स्नेह, पूजा या दर्शन भी न करे, वह मनुष्य नहीं, गाय-गधे के समान है।
True intelligence is shown by one’s freedom from false identification of the self. As stated in the Bṛhaspati-saṁhitā:
FAQs
This verse condemns bodily self-identification as ignorance, saying that one who thinks the self is the material body and lives in possessiveness is compared to an animal.
A tīrtha is not merely sacred water; true holiness is found in the association of realized devotees and saints, who carry spiritual knowledge and devotion.
Reduce body-based identity and possessiveness, seek sādhu-saṅga, and treat pilgrimage and religious practice as a means to grow devotion and humility rather than as mere external ritual.