Shloka 18
Chapter 90
त्वं यक्ष्मणा बलवतासि गृहीत इन्दो
क्षीणस् तमो न निज-दीधितिभिः क्षिणोषि ।
कच्चिन् मुकुन्द-गदितानि यथा वयं त्वं
विस्मृत्य भोः स्थगित-गीर् उपलक्ष्यसे नः ॥
tvaṃ yakṣmaṇā balavatāsi gṛhīta indo $ kṣīṇas tamo na nija-dīdhitibhiḥ kṣiṇoṣi & kaccin mukunda-gaditāni yathā vayaṃ tvaṃ % vismṛtya bhoḥ sthagita-gīr upalakṣyase naḥ //
أيها القمر! هل قبض عليك داءٌ مُنهِكٌ شديد، فغدوتَ هزيلاً لا تُبدِّد الظلمة بأشعتك؟ أم أنك—مثلنا—نسيتَ كلمات مُكُند، فبدوتَ أمامنا بصوتٍ مخنوق؟
Continuing the poetic address, the speaker turns to the moon, whose waning is interpreted as a sign of affliction. The imagery of “yakṣmā” (a wasting disease) conveys depletion—loss of strength, luster, and the ability to remove darkness. In Bhāgavata’s devotional framework, darkness is not only physical night but also the symbolic darkness of forgetfulness (vismṛti) of the Lord. The verse then pivots from cosmic observation to intimate spiritual psychology: “Have you forgotten Mukunda’s words, as we have?” This confession reveals the heart of bhakti—separation and remembrance. When the Lord’s consoling speech, instructions, or promises are forgotten, the devotee experiences a kind of inner night, and even one’s voice becomes “sthagita” (strangled/choked) with emotion. Thus the verse teaches two complementary truths: (1) all brilliance in the world is dependent, and can fade; (2) the real dispeller of darkness is remembrance of Mukunda—especially His words, which awaken faith, steadiness, and loving absorption. For the aspirant, the remedy for inner waning is śravaṇa and smaraṇa—hearing and remembering Kṛṣṇa’s teachings and pastimes.
FAQs
It points to spiritual forgetfulness—when the heart loses touch with Kṛṣṇa’s teachings and assurances, devotion feels weakened and the inner ‘darkness’ increases.
The waning moon becomes a devotional metaphor for depletion—when one’s light (clarity, joy, steadiness) fades, it resembles a wasting condition caused by forgetfulness.
Regular śravaṇa (hearing scripture) and smaraṇa (remembrance)—daily reading of Bhāgavatam, chanting, and reflecting on Kṛṣṇa’s instructions—restores inner light.