Shloka 7
Kāma–Mamatā–Upadeśa
Discourse on Desire, Possessiveness, and Ritual Duty
अथवा वसतः: पार्थ वने वन्येन जीवत: । ममता यस्य द्रव्येषु मृत्योरास्ये स वर्तते
athavā vasataḥ pārtha vane vanyena jīvataḥ | mamatā yasya dravyeṣu mṛtyor āsye sa vartate ||
ಹೇ ಪಾರ್ಥ! ಯಾರಾದರೂ ಅರಣ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ ವಾಸಿಸಿ ಕೇವಲ ಕಾಡಿನ ಫಲ-ಮೂಲಗಳಿಂದ ಜೀವನ ನಡೆಸಿದರೂ, ದ್ರವ್ಯಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ‘ನನ್ನದು’ ಎಂಬ ಮಮಕಾರವನ್ನು ಹಿಡಿದಿದ್ದರೆ, ಅವನು ಮರಣದ ಬಾಯಲ್ಲೇ ವಾಸಿಸುವವನಾಗಿದ್ದಾನೆ. ಹೊರಗಿನ ತ್ಯಾಗರೂಪ ರಕ್ಷಿಸುವುದಿಲ್ಲ; ಒಳಗಿನ ಅನಾಸಕ್ತಿಯೇ ಪತನದಿಂದ ಕಾಪಾಡುತ್ತದೆ.
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
External austerity—such as living in a forest on wild fruits and roots—does not by itself free a person. If possessiveness (mamatā) toward possessions persists, one remains spiritually endangered, described as being ‘in the mouth of Death’. True safety lies in inner non-attachment.
Vāyudeva addresses Arjuna (Pārtha) and warns him through a pointed example: even a forest-dweller living on minimal means can be bound by craving and ownership. The instruction shifts attention from outward lifestyle to inward attitude.