Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 54
Varṇāśrama-dharma as a Path to Bhakti
Yuga-dharma Origins, Universal Virtues, Brahmacarya and Gṛhastha Duties
इत्थं परिमृशन्मुक्तो गृहेष्वतिथिवद् वसन् । न गृहैरनुबध्येत निर्ममो निरहङ्कृत: ॥ ५४ ॥
itthaṁ parimṛśan mukto gṛheṣv atithi-vad vasan na gṛhair anubadhyeta nirmamo nirahaṅkṛtaḥ
ಹೀಗೆ ಯಥಾರ್ಥ ಸ್ಥಿತಿಯನ್ನು ಆಳವಾಗಿ ಪರಾಮರ್ಶಿಸಿದ ಮುಕ್ತಾತ್ಮನು ಮನೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಅತಿಥಿಯಂತೆ ವಾಸಿಸಬೇಕು—ಮಮಕಾರವೂ ಅಹಂಕಾರವೂ ಇಲ್ಲದೆ. ಆಗ ಗೃಹಕಾರ್ಯಗಳು ಅವನನ್ನು ಬಂಧಿಸುವುದಿಲ್ಲ, ಗೊಂದಲಗೊಳಿಸುವುದಿಲ್ಲ.
The word mukta, or “liberated,” refers to one freed from all material attachment. In this status, called mukta-saṅga, one no longer identifies oneself as a permanent resident of the material world. This liberated status may be attained even by one situated in family life. The only requirement is that one should take up a serious program of kṛṣṇa-saṅkīrtana, which includes constant chanting of the holy names of the Lord, worship of the Deity and participation in the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. Without a serious program of kṛṣṇa-saṅkīrtana it is very difficult to give up the iron shackles of attachment to women and the byproducts of such attachment.
FAQs
It advises living like a guest—residing in the home but not becoming bound by it—by giving up possessiveness (nirmama) and false ego (nirahaṅkāra).
Krishna was instructing Uddhava on varṇāśrama-dharma and the inner renunciation needed to attain liberation, even while living amid social duties.
Perform responsibilities sincerely but avoid identity and ownership obsession—treat home, roles, and possessions as temporary trusts, and cultivate humility and non-possessiveness.