Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 20
Devahūti’s Prayers, Kapila’s Departure, and Devahūti’s Liberation
Siddhapada
हित्वा तदीप्सिततममप्याखण्डलयोषिताम् । किञ्चिच्चकार वदनं पुत्रविश्लेषणातुरा ॥ २० ॥
hitvā tad īpsitatamam apy ākhaṇḍala-yoṣitām kiñcic cakāra vadanaṁ putra-viśleṣaṇāturā
Obwohl Devahūtis Stellung in jeder Hinsicht einzigartig war und ihre Annehmlichkeiten selbst von den Damen der Himmelswelten beneidet wurden, gab sie all diesen Komfort auf. Sie war nur darüber bekümmert, von ihrem großen Sohn getrennt zu sein, und so wurde ihr Antlitz etwas traurig.
Devahūti was not at all sorry at giving up her material comforts, but she was very much aggrieved at the separation of her son. It may be questioned here that if Devahūti was not at all sorry to give up the material comforts of life, then why was she sorry about losing her son? Why was she so attached to her son? The answer is explained in the next verse. He was not an ordinary son. Her son was the Supreme Personality of Godhead. One can give up material attachment, therefore, only when one has attachment for the Supreme Person. This is explained in Bhagavad-gītā. Paraṁ dṛṣṭvā nivartate. Only when one actually has some taste for spiritual existence can he be reluctant to follow the materialistic way of life.
FAQs
This verse shows that even after renouncing the finest worldly or heavenly enjoyments, the heart can ache in separation from one’s spiritually beloved—here, Devahūti’s longing for her son Kapila reveals deep attachment rooted in devotion and spiritual relationship.
Because her distress was not from loss of pleasure but from separation from her son Kapila, who is an exalted spiritual personality; her face grew downcast due to that heartfelt separation.
It teaches that real fulfillment is not in higher comforts or status, but in sincere spiritual connection—cultivating devotion, valuing saintly association, and accepting that longing for the Divine (or His devotees) can deepen one’s inner commitment.