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Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 11: Chapter 28: Verses 26-33
(Even) as the sky is not affected by the (drying, burning, drenching and soiling) properties of the air, fire, water and earth or by the peculiarities, that come and go, of the various seasons, so the transcendent Indestructible is never contaminated by the impurities (impure tendencies and actions) of Sattva, Rajas and Tamas, which bring about the transmigration of one who looks upon the body as his self. All the same attachment to the pleasures of sense, which are the creations of Maya (Prakrti) should be completely eschewed until the impurity attaching to the mind in the form of passion is shaken off through the intense practice of Devotion. (Just) as a disease in men sprouts again and again, if treated improperly, and causes much pain, so does the mind whose passions and (the latencies of) Karma to which they are traceable have not been burnt and which has conceived an attachment for all (wealth, sons, wife and so on) brings about the fall of one who has not attained perfection in Yoga (wisdom). Those imperfect Yogis who are (thus) frustrated by (living) impediments in the form of human beings (such as wife and sons, kinsfolk and disciples) placed by the gods take once more to (the practice of) Yoga, by force of the habit acquired in previous births, but never to the elaborate course of action. Impelled by some agency (the Inner Controller or force of destiny etc.), the ignorant man performs actions till his death and is subjected to joy and sorrow (undergoes transmigration thereby).The enlightened soul (however) is not so subjected, though seated in the body (a product of Matter), his thirst (for the pleasures of sense) having ceased due to his enjoying the bliss of Self-Realization (and hence does not undergo transmigation through performing actions all his life). He whose mind is fixed on the Self is not aware of the body whether it is standing or sitting, walking or lying down, answering the calls of nature or masticating food or pursuing any other natural activity. If at all a man of wisdom perceives the various objects of his extroverted senses, he does not recognize as real anything other than the Self--for such a thing would be contrary to reason --any more than a man rising from sleep recognizes as real an object seen in a dream and as such vanishing. This psycho-physical organism (a product of ignorance), wonderfully wrought by the three Gunas (modes of Prakrti) and Karmas (conforming to those Gunas), which was formerly (in the state of bondage) perceived as non-distinct from the Self, O dear Uddhava, now disappears in the light of Self-Knowledge. The Self (however) can neither be apprehended nor rejected.
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