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etc. and he must constantly remain and be with the self and remain in its nature. The immediate effect of this practice was the realization that “all worldly relations and possessions and the sufferings associated with them are connected with the body and are there because of the body and for the body which itself is temporary or fleeting, unlike the soul which is eternal and hence it is no use getting attached not only to such relations and possessions etc., but also to the body itself.
Being a part of the family, Srimad had to discharge his duty towards near ones and distant relations too. But spiritually advanced as he was even as a householder, he knew that discharge of duty should not be out of or because of any attachment to somebody or something or with some expectation, whatsoever. On one occassion he said, “Be unattached to your family and remain unfėttered. Do not think that it is yours. The relationships are temporary and a matter of associations of past life and coincidence”. 24 Śrīmad could not renounce worldly life even though he wanted to, as he was under obligation to maintain his family, which obligation he says was the result of his past karma and hence he had to discharge that obligation. He says, “ So long as your karma-bandha is strong, you should maintain your family members, as they are