FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 3.28.39

यथा पुत्राच्च वित्ताच्च पृथङ्‌मर्त्य: प्रतीयते । अप्यात्मत्वेनाभिमताद्देहादे: पुरुषस्तथा ॥ ३९ ॥
yathā putrāc ca vittāc ca
[yathaa putraach cha vittaach cha]
pṛthaṅ martyaḥ pratīyate
[prithan martyah prateeyate]
apy ātmatvenābhimatād
[apy aatmatvenaabhimataad]
dehādeḥ puruṣas tathā
[dehaadeh purushas tathaa]
yathā — as putrāt — from a son ca — and vittāt — from wealth ca — also pṛthak — differently martyaḥ — a mortal man pratīyate — is understood api — even ātmatvena — by nature abhimatāt — for which one has affection deha-ādeḥ — from his material body, senses and mind puruṣaḥ — the liberated soul tathā — similarly.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
yathā putrāc ca vittāc ca
yathā
as
putrāt
from a son
ca
and
vittāt
from wealth
ca
also
pṛthaṅ martyaḥ pratīyate
pṛthak
differently
martyaḥ
a mortal man
pratīyate
is understood
apy ātmatvenābhimatād
api
even
ātmatvena
by nature
abhimatāt
for which one has affection
dehādeḥ puruṣas tathā
deha-ādeḥ
from his material body, senses and mind
puruṣaḥ
the liberated soul
tathā
similarly.
Because of great affection for family and wealth, one accepts a son and some money as his own, and due to affection for the material body, one thinks that it is his. But actually, as one can understand that his family and wealth are different from him, the liberated soul can understand that he and his body are not the same.

The status of real knowledge is explained in this verse. There are many children, but we accept some children as our sons and daughters because of our affection for them, although we know very well that these children are different from us. Similarly, because of great affection for money, we accept some amount of wealth in the bank as ours. In the same way, we claim that the body is ours because of affection for it. I say that it is “my” body. I then extend that possessive concept and say, “It is my hand, my leg,” and further, “It is my bank balance, my son, my daughter.” But actually I know that the son and the money are separate from me. It is the same with the body; I am separate from my body. It is a question of understanding, and the proper understanding is called pratibuddha. By obtaining knowledge in devotional service, or Kṛṣṇa consciousness, one can become a liberated soul.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
Just as the father is actually different from his son or wealth, though he identifies them as his self out of affection, so the jīva is different from his body. In order to gain knowledge, those aspiring for liberation should always think in the following manner, explained in three verses. Just as a father is different from his son, though he regards the son as himself out of affection, so the jīva is different from his body.
Real devotion is steady, not theatrical. The verse treats bhakti as the work the soul was made for — every other career is a temporary detour from this primary employment.
Reflection Questions
  • What ordinary activity could you re-aim today so it becomes an offering rather than a transaction?
  • Where in your life are you still 'enjoying' the fruits of work you call devotional?
📝 My note

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