Shloka 19
The Solar Eclipse at Samanta-pañcaka and the Great Reunion of Yādavas, Pāṇḍavas, and Vraja
सुहृदो ज्ञातय: पुत्रा भ्रातर: पितरावपि । नानुस्मरन्ति स्वजनं यस्य दैवमदक्षिणम् ॥ १९ ॥
suhṛdo jñātayaḥ putrā bhrātaraḥ pitarāv api nānusmaranti sva-janaṁ yasya daivam adakṣiṇam
Freunde und Verwandte — selbst Kinder, Brüder und Eltern — vergessen den Geliebten, dem das Geschick nicht mehr günstig ist.
Śrīla Śrīdhara Svāmī and Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura both comment that Kuntī does not blame her relatives for her suffering. Thus she calls them “most saintly persons” and alludes here to her own bad fortune as the cause of her unhappiness.
FAQs
This verse teaches that when providence becomes unfavorable, even close family and well-wishers may withdraw their remembrance and support, showing the instability of material relationships under the control of daiva.
In the Kurukṣetra reunion narrative, Śukadeva highlights how worldly bonds fluctuate with circumstances, steering the listener toward steadier shelter in Bhagavān rather than dependence on changing social support.
Do your duties toward family and friends, but ground your security in spiritual practice and devotion, recognizing that external support can change with circumstances beyond one’s control.