Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 27
Yayāti’s Renunciation: The Allegory of the He-Goat and She-Goat
सा सन्निवासं सुहृदां प्रपायामिव गच्छताम् । विज्ञायेश्वरतन्त्राणां मायाविरचितं प्रभो: ॥ २७ ॥ सर्वत्र सङ्गमुत्सृज्य स्वप्नौपम्येन भार्गवी । कृष्णे मन: समावेश्य व्यधुनोल्लिङ्गमात्मन: ॥ २८ ॥
sā sannivāsaṁ suhṛdāṁ prapāyām iva gacchatām vijñāyeśvara-tantrāṇāṁ māyā-viracitaṁ prabhoḥ
Thereafter, Devayānī, the daughter of Śukrācārya, understood that the materialistic association of husband, friends and relatives is like the association in a hotel full of tourists. The relationships of society, friendship and love are created by the māyā of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, exactly as in a dream. By the grace of Kṛṣṇa, Devayānī gave up her imaginary position in the material world. Completely fixing her mind upon Kṛṣṇa, she achieved liberation from the gross and subtle bodies.
One should be convinced that he is a spirit soul, part and parcel of the Supreme Brahman, Kṛṣṇa, but has somehow or other been entrapped by the material coverings of the gross and subtle bodies, consisting of earth, water, fire, air, ether, mind, intelligence and false ego. One should know that the association of society, friendship, love, nationalism, religion and so on are nothing but creations of māyā. One’s only business is to become Kṛṣṇa conscious and render service unto Kṛṣṇa as extensively as possible for a living being. In this way one is liberated from material bondage. By the grace of Kṛṣṇa, Devayānī attained this state through the instructions of her husband.
FAQs
This verse compares worldly association to travelers meeting at an inn—brief and arranged by the Lord’s māyā—encouraging detachment and spiritual focus.
Because meeting and separation happen according to divine arrangement; beings are moved by time and karma under the Supreme Lord’s governance.
Value relationships without clinging, accept change without bitterness, and anchor the mind in devotion to the Lord rather than in temporary circumstances.