Mamatā Tyāgam — Relinquishing Possessiveness
Mamatā Tyāgam (Sanskrit: mamatā = possessiveness/'mine-ness' + tyāga = renunciation; 'renouncing the sense of mine') is the second essential renunciation in karma yoga — letting go of the deeply ingrained sense that the body, family, wealth, and results of action are 'mine.'
Why Mamatā Is an Obstacle: The soul in saṃsāra lives under a fundamental delusion: 'I am this body; this family is mine; these possessions are mine.' This sense of possession (mamatā) is the root of attachment (rāga), which leads to aversion (dveṣa), and then to desire (kāma) and anger (krodha) — the primary causes of bondage (Gītā 3.37).
The Vaiṣṇava Understanding: Everything belongs to Bhagavān — the body is the Lord's temple; the family are the Lord's servants in one's care; wealth is the Lord's trust. When a devotee truly internalizes 'nothing is mine (na mama),' every relationship becomes a sacred trust rather than a personal possession.
With the Other Tyāgams: Mamatā tyāgam combined with kartṛtva tyāgam (no ego of doership) and phala tyāgam (no desire for results) transforms all action into transparent kainkaryam — done for the Lord, by the Lord's grace, with no personal agenda.