Shloka 12
Gṛhastha-Dharma: How a Householder Attains Liberation by Offering All to Vāsudeva
जह्याद् यदर्थे स्वान्प्राणान्हन्याद्वा पितरं गुरुम् । तस्यां स्वत्वं स्त्रियां जह्याद्यस्तेन ह्यजितो जित: ॥ १२ ॥
jahyād yad-arthe svān prāṇān hanyād vā pitaraṁ gurum tasyāṁ svatvaṁ striyāṁ jahyād yas tena hy ajito jitaḥ
जिच्यासाठी मनुष्य स्वतःचे प्राणही सोडतो किंवा आई-वडील व गुरूलाही मारतो, अशा स्त्रीबद्दलची ‘ही माझी’ अशी स्वत्वबुद्धी त्यागावी. जो हा आसक्तित्याग करतो, तो अजेय अजित भगवानालाही जिंकतो.
Every husband is too much attached to his wife. Therefore, to give up one’s connection with his wife is extremely difficult, but if one can somehow or other give it up for the service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, then the Lord Himself, although not able to be conquered by anyone, comes very much under the control of the devotee. And if the Lord is pleased with a devotee, what is there that is unobtainable? Why should one not give up his affection for his wife and children and take shelter of the Supreme Personality of Godhead? Where is the loss of anything material? Householder life means attachment for one’s wife, whereas sannyāsa means detachment from one’s wife and attachment to Kṛṣṇa.
FAQs
This verse warns that extreme attachment can drive one to irreligious acts and teaches renouncing the sense of ownership—especially possessiveness in relationships—because such bondage is spiritually destructive.
He indicates that the Lord, though unconquerable, becomes ‘conquered’ by the devotee’s binding affection and attachment—showing how powerful loving devotion is, even while warning against worldly possessiveness.
Serve family members with responsibility and love, but drop the mindset of control and ownership; cultivate devotion, humility, and duty without making relationships the center of identity.