Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 45
Dhruva-vaṁśa Continuation: Utkala’s Renunciation, Aṅga’s Sacrifice, and the Birth of Vena
Prelude to Pṛthu
कस्तं प्रजापदेशं वै मोहबन्धनमात्मन: । पण्डितो बहु मन्येत यदर्था: क्लेशदा गृहा: ॥ ४५ ॥
kas taṁ prajāpadeśaṁ vai moha-bandhanam ātmanaḥ paṇḍito bahu manyeta yad-arthāḥ kleśadā gṛhāḥ
వివేకవంతుడూ బుద్ధిమంతుడూ అయినవాడు అలాంటి విలువలేని పుత్రుణ్ని ఎందుకు కోరుకుంటాడు? అతడు జీవునికి మోహబంధనమే; అతని వల్ల ఇల్లు దుఃఖస్థానమవుతుంది.
FAQs
This verse warns that when household life is pursued mainly for progeny and worldly expansion, it can become moha-bandhana—bondage in illusion—bringing kleśa (distress) rather than liberation.
He highlights that merely justifying material entanglement in the name of children or lineage can bind the soul; wisdom is to see through the pretext and seek spiritual freedom through devotion.
Treat family duties as service to God rather than ego-driven expansion; reduce possessiveness, simplify life, and prioritize bhakti—so responsibilities don’t become bondage.