Shloka 5
Aditi’s Lament and Kaśyapa’s Instruction of the Payo-vrata (Milk Vow) to Please Keśava
अपि वाकुशलं किञ्चिद् गृहेषु गृहमेधिनि । धर्मस्यार्थस्य कामस्य यत्र योगो ह्ययोगिनाम् ॥ ५ ॥
api vākuśalaṁ kiñcid gṛheṣu gṛha-medhini dharmasyārthasya kāmasya yatra yogo hy ayoginām
O my wife devoted to household life, when dharma, artha, and kāma are properly observed at home, even one who is not a yogi acts like a yogi; has there been any lapse in following these principles?
In this verse, Aditi has been addressed by her husband, Kaśyapa Muni, as gṛha-medhini, which means “one who is satisfied in household life for sense gratification.” Generally, those who are in household life pursue sense gratification in the field of activities performed for material results. Such gṛhamedhīs have only one aim in life — sense gratification. Therefore it is said, yan maithunādi-gṛhamedhi-sukhaṁ hi tuccham: the householder’s life is based on sense gratification, and therefore the happiness derived from it is very meager. Nonetheless, the Vedic process is so comprehensive that even in householder life one can adjust his activities according to the regulative principles of dharma, artha, kāma and mokṣa. One’s aim should be to achieve liberation, but because one cannot at once give up sense gratification, in the śāstras there are injunctions prescribing how to follow the principles of religion, economic development and sense gratification. As explained in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (1.2.9) , dharmasya hy āpavargyasya nārtho ’rthāyopakalpate: “All occupational engagements are certainly meant for ultimate liberation. They should never be performed for material gain.” Those who are in household life should not think that religion is meant to improve the process of the householder’s sense gratification. Household life is also meant for advancement in spiritual understanding, by which one can ultimately gain liberation from the material clutches. One should remain in household life with the aim of understanding the ultimate goal of life ( tattva jijñāsā ). Then household life is as good as the life of a yogi. Kaśyapa Muni therefore inquired from his wife whether the principles of religion, economic development and sense gratification were being properly followed in terms of the śāstric injunctions. As soon as one deviates from the injunctions of the śāstra, the purpose of household life is immediately lost in confusion.
FAQs
This verse affirms that the home can be a place of “yoga” for non-renunciants—where dharma, prosperity, and lawful enjoyment are aligned properly rather than pursued recklessly.
Kashyapa addresses Aditi as a devoted householder and inquires about her welfare, setting a respectful, dharma-centered tone before guiding her in the vow and devotional practice that will lead to the Lord’s appearance.
Keep household goals disciplined by dharma—earn honestly, enjoy responsibly, and make the home a place of sacred routine (service, prayer, and right conduct), turning ordinary life into spiritual connection.