Shloka 6
Lord Viṣṇu Instructs Pṛthu: Forgiveness, Ātmā-Deha Viveka, and the Bhakti Ideal of Kingship
असंसक्त: शरीरेऽस्मिन्नमुनोत्पादिते गृहे । अपत्ये द्रविणे वापि क: कुर्यान्ममतां बुध: ॥ ६ ॥
asaṁsaktaḥ śarīre ’sminn amunotpādite gṛhe apatye draviṇe vāpi kaḥ kuryān mamatāṁ budhaḥ
असंसक्तः शरीरेऽस्मिन् अमुनोत्पादिते गृहे, अपत्ये द्रविणे वापि—कः बुधः ममतां कुर्यात्?
The Vedic ritualistic ceremonies are certainly meant to please the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Viṣṇu. However, by such activities one does not factually satisfy the Lord. Rather, with the sanction of the Lord, one tries to satisfy one’s own senses. In other words, materialists, who are especially interested in sense gratification, are given permission or license to enjoy sense gratification by executing the Vedic ritualistic ceremonies. That is called traiguṇya-viṣayā vedāḥ. The Vedic performances are based on the three modes of material nature. Those who are elevated above the material condition are not at all interested in such Vedic performances. Rather, they are interested in the higher duties of transcendental loving service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Such devotional service is called nistraiguṇya. Devotional service to the Lord has nothing to do with the material conception of bodily comfort.
FAQs
This verse teaches that an intelligent person does not cultivate the feeling of “mine” toward the body, home, children, or wealth, recognizing them as products of material nature and therefore temporary.
While instructing his citizens, Pṛthu Mahārāja emphasized renunciation of false ownership so that people could live responsibly yet remain spiritually focused and not bound by material identification.
Perform your responsibilities toward family and work, but reduce the egoic claim of ownership—see relationships and resources as entrusted by God, use them in dharma and bhakti, and remember their temporary nature.