Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 25
Brahmacarya and Vānaprastha Duties; Gradual Dissolution of Bodily Identity
खे खानि वायौ निश्वासांस्तेज:सूष्माणमात्मवान् । अप्स्वसृक्श्लेष्मपूयानि क्षितौ शेषं यथोद्भवम् ॥ २५ ॥
khe khāni vāyau niśvāsāṁs tejaḥsūṣmāṇam ātmavān apsv asṛk-śleṣma-pūyāni kṣitau śeṣaṁ yathodbhavam
沈着して真知を具えた人は、身体の諸部分を本来の源へと融かし入れるべきである。孔は虚空へ、呼吸は風へ、体熱は火へ、精・血・粘液・膿は水へ、皮膚・肉・骨などの堅きものは地へ—かくして諸成分をそれぞれの元素に帰す。
To be self-realized, one must understand the original sources of the various elements of the body. The body is a combination of skin, bone, muscle, blood, semen, urine, stool, heat, breath and so on, which all come from earth, water, fire, air and sky. One must be well conversant with the sources of all the bodily constituents. Then one becomes a self-realized person, or ātmavān, one who knows the self.
FAQs
This verse explains that the body’s components should be understood as belonging to their elemental sources—ether, air, fire, water, and earth—helping one detach from bodily identification.
He teaches renunciation and self-realization: by seeing the body as temporary matter composed of elements, one strengthens detachment and focuses on the soul and devotion to the Lord.
Use it as a meditation on impermanence: care for the body responsibly, but reduce ego-based identity by remembering it is material and temporary, while prioritizing spiritual practice and bhakti.