Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 48
Sāṅkhya Enumeration of Tattvas, Distinction of Puruṣa–Prakṛti, and the Mechanics of Birth and Death
एता मनोरथमयीर्हान्यस्योच्चावचास्तनू: । गुणसङ्गादुपादत्ते क्वचित् कश्चिज्जहाति च ॥ ४८ ॥
etā manoratha-mayīr hānyasyoccāvacās tanūḥ guṇa-saṅgād upādatte kvacit kaścij jahāti ca
Essas condições do corpo, superiores e inferiores, são feitas de imaginação mental. Pela ignorância nascida do contato com as qualidades materiais, a alma as assume como “eu”; às vezes, uma pessoa afortunada consegue abandonar essa invenção da mente.
One who has received the special mercy of the Supreme Lord is able to give up the mental concoction of bodily identification. Thus there is always a chance of escaping the cycle of birth and death.
FAQs
This verse says the jīva takes higher or lower bodies because of association with the material modes (guṇas), driven by the mind’s desires and imaginings.
In the Uddhava Gītā, Kṛṣṇa teaches Uddhava how bondage arises: the soul identifies with the mind and guṇas, accepts bodies accordingly, and then gives them up—thus continuing saṁsāra until liberation.
Watch the mind’s craving-based narratives, reduce attachment to sense-driven choices, and cultivate sādhana and devotion so actions are not dictated by guṇa-association.