Shloka 7
Kāma–Mamatā–Upadeśa
Discourse on Desire, Possessiveness, and Ritual Duty
अथवा वसतः: पार्थ वने वन्येन जीवत: । ममता यस्य द्रव्येषु मृत्योरास्ये स वर्तते
athavā vasataḥ pārtha vane vanyena jīvataḥ | mamatā yasya dravyeṣu mṛtyor āsye sa vartate ||
हे पार्थ! कोई मनुष्य वन में रहकर केवल वन्य फल-मूल से जीवन-निर्वाह करे, पर यदि द्रव्यों में ‘मेरा’ की ममता रखे, तो वह मृत्यु के मुख में ही निवास करता है। बाह्य वैराग्य रक्षा नहीं करता; भीतर की अनासक्ति ही विनाश से बचाती है।
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
External austerity—such as living in a forest on wild fruits and roots—does not by itself free a person. If possessiveness (mamatā) toward possessions persists, one remains spiritually endangered, described as being ‘in the mouth of Death’. True safety lies in inner non-attachment.
Vāyudeva addresses Arjuna (Pārtha) and warns him through a pointed example: even a forest-dweller living on minimal means can be bound by craving and ownership. The instruction shifts attention from outward lifestyle to inward attitude.