FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 3.20.53

तेभ्यश्चैकैकश: स्वस्य देहस्यांशमदादज: । यत्तत्समाधियोगर्द्धितपोविद्याविरक्तिमत् ॥ ५३ ॥
tebhyaś caikaikaśaḥ svasya
[tebhyash chaikaikashah svasya]
dehasyāṁśam adād ajaḥ
[dehasyaamsham adaad ajah]
yat tat samādhi-yogarddhi-
[yat tat samaadhi-yogarddhi-]
tapo-vidyā-viraktimat
[tapo-vidyaa-viraktimat]
tebhyaḥ — to them ca — and ekaikaśaḥ — each one svasya — of his own dehasya — body aṁśam — part adāt — gave ajaḥ — the unborn Brahmā yat — which tat — that samādhi — deep meditation yoga — concentration of the mind ṛddhi — supernatural power tapaḥ — austerity vidyā — knowledge virakti — renunciation mat — possessing.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
tebhyaś caikaikaśaḥ svasya
tebhyaḥ
to them
ca
and
ekaikaśaḥ
each one
svasya
of his own
dehasyāṁśam adād ajaḥ
dehasya
body
aṁśam
part
adāt
gave
ajaḥ
the unborn Brahmā
yat tat samādhi-yogarddhi-
yat
which
tat
that
samādhi
deep meditation
yoga
concentration of the mind
ṛddhi
supernatural power
tapo-vidyā-viraktimat
tapaḥ
austerity
vidyā
knowledge
virakti
renunciation
mat
possessing.
To each one of these sons the unborn creator of the universe gave a part of his own body, which was characterized by deep meditation, mental concentration, supernatural power, austerity, adoration and renunciation.

The word viraktimat in this verse means “possessed of the qualification of renunciation.” Spiritual realization cannot be attained by materialistic persons. For those who are addicted to sense enjoyment, spiritual realization is not possible. In Bhagavad-gītā it is stated that those who are too attached to seeking material possessions and material enjoyment cannot reach yoga-samādhi, absorption in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Propaganda that one can enjoy this life materially and at the same time spiritually advance is simply bogus. The principles of renunciation are four: (1) to avoid illicit sex life, (2) to avoid meat-eating, (3) to avoid intoxication and (4) to avoid gambling. These four principles are called tapasya, or austerity. To absorb the mind in the Supreme in Kṛṣṇa consciousness is the process of spiritual realization.

Thus end the Bhaktivedanta purports of the Third Canto, Twentieth Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled “Conversation Between Maitreya and Vidura.”

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
Brahmā gave separate portions of his body endowed with knowledge, yoga, siddhis, austerity, worship and detachment to each of the various sages. This verse describes what portions of his body he gave to the different sages. Those portions of his body which had knowledge (samādhi), yoga, siddhis (ṛddhi), austerity, worship and detachment he gave to the various sages. After this, Śiva appeared, and Marīci and others, according to the description in the Twelfth Chapter. Thus ends the commentary on Twentieth Chapter of the Third Canto of the Bhāgavatam for the pleasure of the devotees, in accordance with the previous ācāryas Chapter Twenty-one Kardama Meets Svāyambhuva Manu
Renunciation here is reframed as honest accounting: noticing what we are actually clinging to, and what those attachments cost the soul over time.
Reflection Questions
  • What relationship or possession do you currently call 'mine' as though it could not be taken back?
  • What would loving your people while holding them loosely look like in practice?
📝 My note

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