Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 40
The Forest of Material Existence (Saṁsāra-vana) and the Delivering Path of Bharata’s Teachings
यदपि दिगिभजयिनो यज्विनो ये वै राजर्षय: किं तु परं मृधे शयीरन्नस्यामेव ममेयमिति कृतवैरानुबन्धायां विसृज्य स्वयमुपसंहृता: ॥ ४० ॥
yad api dig-ibha-jayino yajvino ye vai rājarṣayaḥ kiṁ tu paraṁ mṛdhe śayīrann asyām eva mameyam iti kṛta-vairānubandhāyāṁ visṛjya svayam upasaṁhṛtāḥ.
திசை வென்றும் யாகங்களில் வல்லவருமான பல ராஜரிஷிகளும் பகவானின் அன்புச் சேவையை அடையவில்லை; ஏனெனில் ‘நான் இந்த உடல்; இது என் சொத்து’ என்ற பொய்யான அகந்தையை அவர்கள் வெல்ல முடியவில்லை. அந்த தேகாபிமானத்தால் பகை வளர்த்து போர் செய்து, இறுதியில் போர்க்களத்தில் வீழ்ந்து, வாழ்வின் உண்மைப் பணியை நிறைவேற்றாமல் அழிந்தனர்.
The real mission of life for the conditioned soul is to reestablish the forgotten relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead and engage in devotional service so that he may revive Kṛṣṇa consciousness after giving up the body. One doesn’t have to give up his occupation as a brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, vaiśya, śūdra or whatever. In any position, while discharging his prescribed duty, one can develop Kṛṣṇa consciousness simply by associating with devotees who are representatives of Kṛṣṇa and who can teach this science. Regretfully, the big politicians and leaders in the material world simply create enmity and are not interested in spiritual advancement. Material advancement may be very pleasing to an ordinary man, but ultimately he is defeated because he identifies himself with the material body and considers everything related to it to be his property. This is ignorance. Actually nothing belongs to him, not even the body. By one’s karma, one gets a particular body, and if he does not utilize his body to please the Supreme Personality of Godhead, all his activities are frustrated. The real purpose of life is stated in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (1.2.13) :
FAQs
This verse explains that even powerful, pious rulers become bound by enmity and downfall when they cling to mamatā—thinking “this land and power are mine”—which keeps them attached to conflict and the body.
He is showing Mahārāja Parīkṣit that worldly greatness—conquest and ritual merit—cannot save one if one remains trapped in ego and possessiveness, which culminate in rivalry and death.
Reduce the “mine” mentality (status, property, opinions), avoid feeding rivalry, and cultivate devotion and detachment—using responsibilities as service rather than as identity.