Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 3
Ātmā’s Unborn Nature and Fearlessness at Death
Parīkṣit’s Final Instruction
न भविष्यसि भूत्वा त्वं पुत्रपौत्रादिरूपवान् । बीजाङ्कुरवद् देहादेर्व्यतिरिक्तो यथानल: ॥ ३ ॥
na bhaviṣyasi bhūtvā tvaṁ putra-pautrādi-rūpavān bījāṅkura-vad dehāder vyatirikto yathānalaḥ
你不会再以子孙之形而再生，如同种子生芽又结新种那样。你与物质之身及其附属全然不同，正如火与燃料相别。
Sometimes one dreams of being reborn as the son of one’s son, in the hope of perpetually remaining in the same material family. As stated in the śruti-mantra, pitā putreṇa pitṛmān yoni-yonau: “A father has a father in his son, because he may take birth as his own grandson.” The purpose of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is spiritual liberation and not the foolish prolonging of the illusion of bodily identification. That is clearly stated in this verse.
FAQs
This verse states that the real self is distinct from the body and its roles (son, grandson, etc.), just as fire is different from the seed and sprout.
Śukadeva instructs Parīkṣit, who is preparing for death, to give up bodily and familial identification and realize the self’s separateness, which supports liberation and steady devotion.
Use this teaching to remember you are not merely your roles (family, job, status); act responsibly, but ground your peace in spiritual identity and devotion rather than temporary designations.