Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 36
Priyavrata Accepts Kingship by Brahmā’s Instruction; Sapta-dvīpa Formation and Renunciation
स एवमपरिमितबलपराक्रम एकदा तु देवर्षिचरणानुशयनानुपतितगुणविसर्गसंसर्गेणानिर्वृतमिवात्मानं मन्यमान आत्मनिर्वेद इदमाह ॥ ३६ ॥
sa evam aparimita-bala-parākrama ekadā tu devarṣi-caraṇānuśayanānu-patita-guṇa-visarga-saṁsargeṇānirvṛtam ivātmānaṁ manyamāna ātma-nirveda idam āha.
Sa kabila ng di-masukat na lakas at kapangyarihan, minsang napagnilayan ni Mahārāja Priyavrata na bagaman siya’y sumuko sa mga paa ng devarṣi Nārada at nasa landas ng kamalayang Kṛṣṇa, dahil sa pakikisalamuha sa agos ng mga guṇa ay muli siyang nasangkot sa mga gawaing materyal. Kaya’t nabalisa ang kaniyang isip at nagsalita siya sa diwa ng pagtalikod.
In Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (1.5.17) it is said:
FAQs
This verse describes ātma-nirveda as the mood in which Ṛṣabhadeva, seeing the dissatisfaction caused by contact with the guṇas (material modes), speaks from a place of deep dispassion meant to awaken renunciation and devotion.
The verse says “as if” (iva): it indicates a teaching-līlā. Ṛṣabhadeva outwardly accepts the appearance of dissatisfaction produced by guṇa-saṅga to instruct conditioned souls about the danger of material association and the need for detachment.
Reduce guṇa-saṅga by regulating sense life, keeping saintly association, and anchoring the mind in bhakti—hearing and chanting—so that inner contentment replaces restless material craving.