While he lamented in this way, Gokarna arrived and began instructing him:14 "O father, this world is full of delusion and misery and is useless. You should deliberate upon who is the real owner of sons and wealth. Those who are attached to material things burn day and night like a ghee lamp. Neither Lord Indra nor the emperor of the whole universe can find happiness. Only those who are renounced and live in a solitary place have peace. Therefore give up this ignorance, thinking that this is your wife, this is your son, and so on. Owing to such delusion one goes to hell. This body will one day be lost, therefore, go and live in the forest."
Hearing the words of Gokarna, Atma Deva decided to go to the forest. He asked, "My dear son, please explain what I should do in the forest. I am very foolish and very much attached to karma-kanda activities. Now I have lost everything and am bound in this well of household life. You are very merciful - please deliver me."
Gokarna said, "O father, this body is nothing but a combination of bones, fat, blood, and flesh. Therefore, do not consider that you are this body and that this wife and children are yours. Day and night meditate on the ephemeral nature of this material world and thus do not become attached to anything. Become renounced and perform devotional service unto the Personality of Godhead. Devotion is the greatest religion, therefore take shelter of it, and give up all other material religious principles. Render service to saintly people and give up all thoughts of sense gratification and greed for wealth. Do not meditate on the defects of others, fully engage in the service of the Lord, and always drink the nectar of His holy pastimes."
Influenced by the preaching of his son, Atma Deva left home and though he was sixty years old went to the forest with great determination. Day and night he remained engaged in the service of the Lord.15 He regularly recited the tenth canto of Shrimad Bhagavatam until finally, he attained the lotus feet of Lord Shri Krishna.