Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 21
Vānaprastha-vidhi and Sannyāsa-dharma: Austerity, Detachment, and the Paramahaṁsa Ideal
विविक्तक्षेमशरणो मद्भावविमलाशय: । आत्मानं चिन्तयेदेकमभेदेन मया मुनि: ॥ २१ ॥
vivikta-kṣema-śaraṇo mad-bhāva-vimalāśayaḥ ātmānaṁ cintayed ekam abhedena mayā muniḥ
เมื่อพำนักในที่ปลอดภัยและสงัด จิตที่บริสุทธิ์ด้วยการระลึกถึงเราอยู่เสมอ ฤๅษีควรเพ่งพิจารณาอาตมันเพียงหนึ่งเดียว และรู้แจ้งว่าอาตมันนั้นไม่แตกต่างจากเรา
One who is engaged exclusively in the devotional service of the Lord in one of the five principal relationships is to be known as a pure Vaiṣṇava. Because of his advanced stage of love of Godhead, a pure devotee is able to constantly chant the glories of the Lord without material hindrance. He is not interested in anything except Lord Kṛṣṇa and never considers himself to be qualitatively different from the Lord. One who is still attracted by the gross material body and subtle material mind, which cover the eternal soul, continues to see himself as different from the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This misconception is due to false identification with matter. With senses purified of material contamination, one must serve the Lord, who is the master of all senses, and thus one’s devotional service is considered free from discrepancy.
FAQs
In 11.18.21, Kṛṣṇa teaches that a sage, with a heart purified by devotion, should meditate on the one Self and realize it as non-different from Him.
Kṛṣṇa instructs Uddhava on the mature stage of spiritual life—renunciation supported by bhakti—where inner purity leads to steady meditation and realization of oneness in divine consciousness.
Create “vivikta” through daily quiet time, reduce distractions, cultivate devotion (mad-bhāva) through japa and śravaṇa, and practice seeing the same divine Self within yourself and others.