Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 24
Nondual Vision Beyond Praise and Blame
Dvandva-nivṛtti and Ātma-viveka
नात्मा वपु: पार्थिवमिन्द्रियाणि देवा ह्यसुर्वायुर्जलम् हुताश: । मनोऽन्नमात्रं धिषणा च सत्त्व- महङ्कृति: खं क्षितिरर्थसाम्यम् ॥ २४ ॥
nātmā vapuḥ pārthivam indriyāṇi devā hy asur vāyur jalam hutāśaḥ mano ’nna-mātraṁ dhiṣaṇā ca sattvam ahaṅkṛtiḥ khaṁ kṣitir artha-sāmyam
Tubuh materi yang tersusun dari unsur tanah bukanlah ātman; bukan pula indria, para dewa penguasa indria, atau prāṇa-vāyu; bukan pula udara luar, air, atau api; dan bukan juga pikiran. Semua itu hanyalah materi. Demikian pula bukan kecerdasan, kesadaran materi, atau ego palsu; bukan unsur eter atau tanah; bukan objek-objek indria; bahkan keadaan keseimbangan purba alam materi pun bukanlah jati diri sejati sang jiwa.
FAQs
In 11.28.24, Krishna explains that the ātmā is not the earth-made body, senses, mind, intelligence, false ego, or even the elements and guṇas; the Self is distinct from all material constituents.
Krishna is giving Uddhava final, liberating instruction (Uddhava Gita), guiding him to transcend identification with the body-mind complex and attain steady self-realization and devotion.
Use this verse to reduce anxiety and ego: observe body, senses, thoughts, and roles as changing material factors, and cultivate the stance of the witnessing Self while anchoring life in devotion and dharma.