Adi Shankaracharya’s Bhaja Govindam is often misunderstood as pessimistic. It is not anti-family. It is anti-delusion. Shankara wants householders to see clearly: The world is unstable. Do not build your eternity on temporary supports. Bhaja Govindam Verse: Attachment and Social Love Sanskrit यावत् वित्तोपार्जनसक्तः तावत् निजपरिवारो रक्तः। पश्चाज्जीवति जर्जरदेहे वार्तां को’पि न पृच्छति गेहे॥ Meaning “As long as one can earn wealth, the family remains affectionate. But when the body becomes old and weak, no one even asks about you at home.” Commentary: The Painful Truth of Conditionality Shankara is not attacking family. He is exposing dependence. Worldly affection often rests on: • usefulness • strength • money • social position When these fade, relationships change. Thus Shankara warns: Do not cling to worldly roles as ultimate refuge. Only Govinda (Truth) is permanent. Bhaja Govindam: The Wife, Wealth, and Desire Trap Sanskrit अङ्गं गलितं पलितं मुण्डं दशनविहीनं जातं तुण्डम्। वृद्धो याति गृहीत्वा दण्डं तदपि न मुञ्चत्याशापिण्डम्॥ Meaning “The body has weakened, hair has turned white, teeth are gone, old age has arrived— yet the man still does not abandon the bundle of desires.” Commentary: Attachment Outlives the Body This is the tragedy: The body dies… But craving continues. Householder life becomes bondage when desires never mature into wisdom.