Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 19
Purūravā’s Song of Renunciation and the Glory of Sādhu-saṅga
पित्रो: किं स्वं नु भार्याया: स्वामिनोऽग्ने: श्वगृध्रयो: । किमात्मन: किं सुहृदामिति यो नावसीयते ॥ १९ ॥ तस्मिन् कलेवरेऽमेध्ये तुच्छनिष्ठे विषज्जते । अहो सुभद्रं सुनसं सुस्मितं च मुखं स्त्रिय: ॥ २० ॥
pitroḥ kiṁ svaṁ nu bhāryāyāḥ svāmino ’gneḥ śva-gṛdhrayoḥ kim ātmanaḥ kiṁ suhṛdām iti yo nāvasīyate
この身体はいったい誰のものか——生み育てた父母か、快楽を与える妻か、命じ使う主人か、葬火か、あるいは最後に食らう犬や禿鷲か。内に住むアートマンのものか、友のものか。決められぬまま、人はなおこの身に執着する。
The phrase tuccha-niṣṭhe, or “headed toward a lowly destination,” indicates that if buried, the body will be consumed by worms; if burned, it will turn to ashes; and if dying in a lonely place, it will be consumed by dogs and vultures. The illusory potency of Māyā enters within the female form and bewilders a man’s mind. The man is attracted to Māyā appearing within the female form, but when he embraces the woman’s body he ends up with two handfuls of stool, blood, mucus, pus, skin, bone, hairs and flesh. People should not be like cats and dogs, in the ignorance of bodily consciousness. A human being should be enlightened in Kṛṣṇa consciousness and learn to serve the Supreme Lord without falsely trying to exploit His potencies.
FAQs
This verse teaches that claims of “mine” are confused—different parties (family, society, elements, and ultimately death) lay claim to what we call ours—so a wise person should detach from false proprietorship.
Krishna instructs Uddhava in renunciation and clear discernment before His departure, urging him to see the body and possessions as temporary and not the self.
Reduce possessiveness: treat relationships and assets as responsibilities, not identity; prioritize spiritual practice and service over anxiety about control and ownership.