Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 59
Kṛṣṇa’s Impending Departure; Uddhava’s Surrender; King Yadu and the Avadhūta’s Twenty-Four Gurus
Beginnings
तासां पतत्रै: सुस्पर्शै: कूजितैर्मुग्धचेष्टितै: । प्रत्युद्गमैरदीनानां पितरौ मुदमापतु: ॥ ६० ॥
prajāḥ pupuṣatuḥ prītau dampatī putra-vatsalau śṛṇvantau kūjitaṁ tāsāṁ nirvṛtau kala-bhāṣitaiḥ
The two pigeons became most affectionate to their children and took great pleasure in listening to their awkward chirping, which sounded very sweet to the parents. Thus with love they began to raise the little birds who were born of them.
FAQs
This verse shows how the parents’ joy arises from affectionate contact and the innocent behavior of their young—illustrating how strong family attachment naturally forms and can later become a source of bondage if not guided by spiritual detachment.
He narrates the avadhūta’s teaching story: by first showing the sweetness of affection, the Bhagavatam then reveals how such attachment can lead to suffering and captivity, urging discernment and vairāgya.
Love and care for family sincerely, but avoid possessiveness—keep duties anchored in dharma and bhakti, remembering that lasting security comes from devotion to the Lord rather than emotional dependency.