Transcending Attachment to Bodily Relationships
The fundamental illusion of human existence is the identification of the eternal self with the temporary physical body. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that this misconception gives rise to a network of attachments known as bodily relationships, which bind the soul to the material world. By understanding the distinction between the body and the spirit, one can move beyond these transient connections and cultivate the eternal relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Illusion of "I" and "Mine"
Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that the false ego drives the conditioned soul to claim ownership over temporary objects and people. This mentality, encapsulated in the phrase ahaṁ mameti, causes one to view the world through the distorted lens of possessiveness, leading to a life centered on serving the demands of the body rather than the needs of the soul.
- A conditioned soul works in the service of his temporary body, bodily relatives like the wife and children, and the necessary paraphernalia for maintaining the body and bodily relations, such as the house, land, wealth, society and country.
- Aham mameti (SB 5.5.8): "I am this body, and in this bodily relationship he is my master, he is my servant, she is my wife, and he is my son." All these conceptions are temporary due to the inevitable change of body and the arrangement of material nature.
- As soon as someone thinks, "I am this material body (aham mameti (SB 5.5.8)) and everything in relationship with this material body is mine," he is in illusion - moha.
- False ego is typified by two attitudes: "I am this body" (ahanta), and "Everything in my bodily relationships belongs to me" (mamata).
Temporary Nature of Material Bonds
Relationships based solely on the body are inherently unstable and fleeting, often lasting only as long as the body itself. Śrīla Prabhupāda warns that investing one's faith in these temporary connections creates anxiety and keeps the living entity anchored to the material universe, preventing spiritual progress.
- The different weights on the anchor which keep us grounded in material life are our attachment to kinsmen due to bodily relations - all these anchor the boat of the human body in the material universe.
- The body's asat, perishable, temporary. So whatever you have got in relationship with this body - my country, my society, my bank balance, my money, my wife, children - everything in the body, they're also temporary. So they are very, very anxiety.
- Bodily relationships are so transient that even though one is affectionate towards someone in a bodily relationship, a slight provocation terminates this intimacy.
- A soul comes into this material world and creates bodily relationships with a father, a mother, sisters, brothers, a wife and children, but all these relationships pertain to the body, not the soul.
Shift from Bodily to Spiritual Consciousness
To achieve true peace and liberation, Śrīla Prabhupāda advises that one must shift focus from the temporary drama of bodily relations to the eternal reality of the soul. By practicing Kṛṣṇa consciousness, a person can transcend the limited scope of family and national attachments and realize their permanent identity as a servant of the Lord.
- The perfection of yoga consists of giving up attachment for this body and bodily relationships and transferring that attachment to Krsna.
- When one becomes free from all bodily relationships within this material world and simply places himself in the position of an eternal servant of the Supreme Lord, it is to be understood that all contamination of his material attachment has been burned.
- These bodily relationships are only temporary. Our real relationship is with Krishna. Try to cultivate that.
- He (a devotee) is not interested in bodily relationships with wife, children, home, bank balance, etc., or in the distress and happiness which come from these things. This is the special advantage of being a devotee.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the attachment to bodily relationships is a symptom of ignorance that entraps the soul in the material world. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that while these relationships appear significant, they are merely temporary arrangements of material nature. Real freedom and happiness are found when one relinquishes the false ego of "I and mine" and reestablishes the eternal connection with Kṛṣṇa, which transcends all temporary bodily designations.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Bodily Relationships. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.