Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 16
Jaḍa Bharata Instructs King Rahūgaṇa: The Mind as Bondage and the Two Kṣetrajñas
न यावदेतन्मन आत्मलिङ्गं संसारतापावपनं जनस्य । यच्छोकमोहामयरागलोभ- वैरानुबन्धं ममतां विधत्ते ॥ १६ ॥
na yāvad etan mana ātma-liṅgaṁ saṁsāra-tāpāvapanaṁ janasya yac choka-mohāmaya-rāga-lobha- vairānubandhaṁ mamatāṁ vidhatte
心こそが魂の自己標識（アートマリンガ）であり、輪廻の苦熱の原因である。この事実を知らぬかぎり、束縛された者は身体の苦を受け、宇宙をさまよう。心は悲嘆・迷妄・病・執着・貪欲・怨みを帯び、束縛と偽りの「我がもの」を作り出すからである。
The mind is the cause of both material bondage and liberation. The impure mind thinks, “I am this body.” The pure mind knows that he is not the material body; therefore the mind is considered to be the root of all material designations. Until the living entity is aloof from the association and contaminations of this material world, the mind will be absorbed in such material things as birth, death, disease, illusion, attachment, greed and enmity. In this way the living entity is conditioned, and he suffers material miseries.
FAQs
This verse explains that the mind plants the seeds of saṁsāra by generating lamentation, illusion, attachment, greed, and enmity, culminating in possessiveness (‘mine’), which keeps one bound.
Jaḍa Bharata instructs Rahūgaṇa that real suffering is not external hardship but the mind’s creation of possessiveness and passions; understanding this is essential for spiritual liberation.
Reduce possessiveness by seeing relationships and resources as entrusted by the Lord, not owned by the ego—this weakens greed, rivalry, and anxiety and supports steady devotional practice.