Verse (Roman transliteration)
Kaate Kaantaa Kaste Putraha,
Samsaaro'yam Atiiva Vichitrah
Kasya Tvam Kah Kuta Aagatah,
Tattvam Chintaya Tadiha Bhraatah
Translation
Who is your spouse? Who is your son? This world is a strange mystery. Think on the truth: whose are you, who are you, where have you come from?
The teaching
Shankara poses the three great existential questions directly: Who are you? Where did you come from? To whom do you belong? These are not questions to be answered intellectually but to be lived into. The relationships we consider most defining — spouse, child — are temporary arrangements in a vast and mysterious existence. Wisdom begins with honest bewilderment.
Living this today
Illustrative example: Imagine introducing yourself without your job title. Write a sentence about what you care about or try to practise. Keep the role, but notice that it does not describe everything about you.