The scripture mentions being 'like a parrot tied to a tube.' What does this metaphor mean and how does one become free?

The metaphor of a 'parrot tied to a tube,' found in Chapter 17, illustrates the human condition where the pure self (the parrot) has become bound by its association with the physical body and worldly life (the tube). This bondage is caused by the delusion of Maya and infatuation, which makes us forget our true, free nature. To become free, the text advises a process of self-awakening. One must recognize that the ego-driven confusion of "I and mine" is like a mirage. By clearly thinking and consciously releasing the tight grip of these attachments, the parrot can metaphorically fly high in the sky, transcending the dualities of bondage and liberation to remain in a pure, self-controlled state.