Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 28
Avadhūta’s Teachers: Python, Ocean, Moth, Bee, Elephant, Deer, Fish—and Piṅgalā’s Song of Detachment
तस्या निर्विण्णचित्ताया गीतं शृणु यथा मम । निर्वेद आशापाशानां पुरुषस्य यथा ह्यसि: ॥ २८ ॥
tasyā nirviṇṇa-cittāyā gītaṁ śṛṇu yathā mama nirveda āśā-pāśānāṁ puruṣasya yathā hy asiḥ
The prostitute felt disgusted with her material situation and thus became indifferent to it. Indeed, detachment acts like a sword, cutting to pieces the binding network of material hopes and desires. Now please hear from me the song sung by the prostitute in that situation.
The network of material desires is created when one falsely thinks that he can establish himself permanently in the material world. This binding network should be cut by the sword of detachment; otherwise one will be forced to wander in the illusory network of māyā with no understanding of liberated life on the spiritual platform.
FAQs
This verse teaches that true detachment acts like a sword, cutting the binding ropes of worldly hope and expectation that keep the soul entangled.
To show Uddhava a practical example of how disillusionment with worldly dependence can awaken inner clarity, leading to renunciation and spiritual steadiness.
Reduce dependence on external validation and outcomes; cultivate contentment and devotion, and let detachment from results weaken anxiety-driven hopes.