Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 8
Ṛṣabhadeva Instructs His Sons: Tapasya, Mahātmā-Sevā, and Cutting the Heart-Knot
पुंस: स्त्रिया मिथुनीभावमेतं तयोर्मिथो हृदयग्रन्थिमाहु: । अतो गृहक्षेत्रसुताप्तवित्तै- र्जनस्य मोहोऽयमहं ममेति ॥ ८ ॥
puṁsaḥ striyā mithunī-bhāvam etaṁ tayor mitho hṛdaya-granthim āhuḥ ato gṛha-kṣetra-sutāpta-vittair janasya moho ’yam ahaṁ mameti
แรงดึงดูดระหว่างชายกับหญิงคือหลักพื้นฐานของภพวัตถุ จากความหลงนี้ปมแห่งหัวใจจึงผูกแน่น แล้วเกิดความยึดติดในกาย บ้าน ที่ดิน บุตร ญาติ และทรัพย์ ด้วยความคิดว่า “เรา” และ “ของเรา”
Sex serves as the natural attraction between man and woman, and when they are married, their relationship becomes more involved. Due to the entangling relationship between man and woman, there is a sense of illusion whereby one thinks, “This man is my husband,” or “This woman is my wife.” This is called hṛdaya-granthi, “the hard knot in the heart.” This knot is very difficult to undo, even though a man and woman separate either for the principles of varṇāśrama or simply to get a divorce. In any case, the man always thinks of the woman, and the woman always thinks of the man. Thus a person becomes materially attached to family, property and children, although all of these are temporary. The possessor unfortunately identifies with his property and wealth. Sometimes, even after renunciation, one becomes attached to a temple or to the few things that constitute the property of a sannyāsī, but such attachment is not as strong as family attachment. The attachment to the family is the strongest illusion. In the Satya-saṁhitā, it is stated:
FAQs
This verse explains that mutual attraction between man and woman forms the hṛdaya-granthi, which then expands into attachment to home, property, children, relatives, and wealth—fueling the ego-sense of “I” and “mine.”
Because such attachments intensify bodily identification and bind the soul to material life, making spiritual realization and devotion difficult; Ṛṣabhadeva instructs his sons to cultivate detachment and higher purpose.
Treat relationships and possessions as responsibilities offered in service to God, not as identity; practice self-discipline, simplify desires, and regularly hear/chant Bhagavatam teachings to loosen possessiveness.