Shloka 2
Mahāyoga: Detachment from ‘I/Mine’, Aṣṭāṅga Practice, Oṁkāra and Aham-Brahmāsmi Contemplation
ममेति मूलं दुः खस्य न ममेति निवर्तनम् / दत्तात्रेयो ह्यलर्काय इममाह महामतिः
mameti mūlaṃ duḥ khasya na mameti nivartanam / dattātreyo hyalarkāya imamāha mahāmatiḥ
“Rasa ‘ini milikku’ ialah akar dukacita; rasa ‘ini bukan milikku’ ialah lenyapnya.” Demikianlah resi agung Dattātreya menyampaikan ajaran ini kepada Alarka.
Narrator (Garuda Purana) quoting Sage Dattātreya’s instruction to King Alarka
Concept: Mamatā (possessiveness) is the root of duḥkha; amamatā (non-possessiveness) is the cessation—pointing to disidentification from ownership and egoic grasping.
Vedantic Theme: Ahaṅkāra/mamatā as bondage; vairāgya and viveka as the doorway to freedom; cessation of clinging reduces saṃsāric sorrow.
Application: Practice noticing ‘mine’-thoughts (possessive narratives) and replacing them with stewardship and non-attachment; cultivate generosity, simplicity, and equanimity in gain/loss.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Related Themes: Garuda Purana teachings on vairāgya and the unreliability of worldly possession (general internal parallel)
FAQs
This verse states that possessiveness (“mine”) generates suffering, while cultivating “not mine” (non-possessiveness) removes it—making detachment a direct method for ending grief.
By pointing to ‘mine-ness’ as the root of sorrow, it implies that clinging binds the jīva to distress, whereas non-attachment supports inner freedom and steadiness—qualities essential for spiritual progression.
Practice reducing ‘mine’ in thoughts—toward possessions, status, and relationships—by cultivating stewardship, charity, and equanimity; this weakens anxiety and strengthens dharmic living.