Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 28
Devahūti’s Prayers, Kapila’s Departure, and Devahūti’s Liberation
Siddhapada
तद्देह: परत: पोषोऽप्यकृशश्चाध्यसम्भवात् । बभौ मलैरवच्छन्न: सधूम इव पावक: ॥ २८ ॥
tad-dehaḥ parataḥ poṣo ’py akṛśaś cādhy-asambhavāt babhau malair avacchannaḥ sadhūma iva pāvakaḥ
كان جسدُها، وإن كانت تخدمه فتياتٌ روحانيات خلقهنّ زوجها كردَمَة، لا يَضْمُر لعدم وجود قلقٍ في ذهنها آنذاك. بدت كالنار يحيط بها الدخان وقد غشّتها الأوساخ.
Because she was always in trance in transcendental bliss, the thought of the Personality of Godhead was always carefully fixed in her mind. She did not become thin, for she was taken care of by the celestial maidservants created by her husband. It is said, according to the Āyurvedic medical science, that if one is free from anxieties he generally becomes fat. Devahūti, being situated in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, had no mental anxieties, and therefore her body did not become thin. It is customary in the renounced order of life that one should not take any service from a servant or maid, but Devahūti was being served by the celestial maidservants. This may appear to be against the spiritual concept of life, but just as fire is still beautiful even when surrounded by smoke, she looked completely pure although it seemed that she was living in a luxurious way.
FAQs
This verse says that even if the body is maintained and well-nourished, it is still born of impurity and appears covered by contamination—like fire hidden by smoke—encouraging detachment.
He uses the metaphor to show how the soul’s spiritual brilliance is obscured by bodily identification and material impurities, even when the body seems strong or healthy.
Care for the body responsibly, but don’t build identity on it; cultivate inner purification through devotion, self-discipline, and remembrance of the soul’s higher purpose.