Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvitiya Skandha, Shloka 3
Brahmā’s Tapasya, the Vision of Vaikuṇṭha, and the Lord’s Seed Instructions
Catuḥ-śloki
यर्हि वाव महिम्नि स्वे परस्मिन् कालमाययो: । रमेत गतसम्मोहस्त्यक्त्वोदास्ते तदोभयम् ॥ ३ ॥
yarhi vāva mahimni sve parasmin kāla-māyayoḥ rameta gata-sammohas tyaktvodāste tadobhayam
ജീവൻ തന്റെ സ്വഭാവസിദ്ധ മഹിമയിൽ സ്ഥാപിതനായി കാലവും മായയും അതീതമായ പരതത്ത്വത്തിൽ രമിക്കുമ്പോൾ മോഹം അകലുന്നു. അപ്പോൾ ‘ഞാൻ’ ‘എന്റെ’ എന്ന രണ്ടു ഭ്രമങ്ങളും ഉപേക്ഷിച്ച് ശുദ്ധാത്മാവായി പൂർണ്ണമായി പ്രത്യക്ഷമാകുന്നു.
The two misconceptions of life, namely “I” and “mine,” are verily manifested in two classes of men. In the lower state the conception of “mine” is very prominent, and in the higher state the misconception of “I” is prominent. In the animal state of life the misconception of “mine” is perceivable even in the category of cats and dogs, who fight with one another with the same misconception of “mine.” In the lower stage of human life the same misconception is also prominent in the shape of “It is my body,” “It is my house,” “It is my family,” “It is my caste,” “It is my nation,” “It is my country,” and so on. And in the higher stage of speculative knowledge, the same misconception of “mine” is transformed into “I am,” or “It is all I am,” etc. There are many classes of men comprehending the same misconception of “I” and “mine” in different colors. But the real significance of “I” can be realized only when one is situated in the consciousness of “I am the eternal servitor of the Lord.” This is pure consciousness, and the whole Vedic literatures teach us this conception of life.
FAQs
This verse teaches that when consciousness rests in the Supreme (the Transcendent) and one relishes that higher reality, delusion ends and one becomes detached from both time’s pressure and māyā’s covering influence.
In the context of explaining the Lord’s creative and transcendental position, Shukadeva guides Parikshit toward liberation: true shelter in the Supreme makes one no longer controlled by material time or illusion.
Center daily life on remembrance of the Supreme (through hearing, chanting, and contemplation). As that higher taste strengthens, anxiety about time and the pull of illusion naturally lessen, leading to steady detachment and clarity.