Read Part 1: Deriving pleasure from possessions

(Conclusion)

?King Chitraketu was overwhelmed with grief over the death of his only son. Using his mystic powers, the sage, Narada Muni, brought the dead child back to life. Narada said, ?O, living entity, see your parents and relatives grieving over your passing. You may now continue to enjoy the rest of your life with your family. Accept the royal position and wealth offered by your father.?

?The boy replied, ?According to karma, I move from one body to the next. In which birth were these people my parents? No one in the world is my true mother and father. In this realm, which moves like a river that carries away living entities, everyone becomes our friends, enemies and relatives. They relate to us in various types of relationships. But, despite this, none of them is permanently related to us.

Perishable body

??Even if one soul becomes connected with another due to a relationship based on our perishable body, the living being is eternal. Only the body is born and lost, not the person. The living being has no relationship with his so-called relatives. As long as he appears as the son of his parents, he establishes a connection with the body given by them.

??However, after he leaves the body, the relationship is finished. Because of this, one shouldn?t be overwhelmed by joy and lamentation. A person is eternal and imperishable, because he has no beginning and no end.?

?After speaking, the living entity quickly departed. The king and his relatives were amazed. Thus, they were liberated from the chains of affection due to the temporary relationship. They became free from the affection that bound them in illusion, lamentation, fear and pain.?