Shloka 16
क्व वर्तते सा ललना मज्जन्तं व्यसनार्णवे । या मामुद्धरते प्रज्ञां दीपयन्ती पदे पदे ॥ १६ ॥
kva vartate sā lalanā majjantaṁ vyasanārṇave yā mām uddharate prajñāṁ dīpayantī pade pade
Where is that lovely woman who always delivers me when I am drowning in the ocean of calamity? At every step she kindles my good intelligence and saves me—please tell me where she is.
There is no difference between a good wife and good intelligence. One who possesses good intelligence can deliberate properly and save himself from many dangerous conditions. In material existence there is danger at every step. In Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.14.58) it is said, padaṁ padaṁ yad vipadāṁ na teṣām: this material world is not actually a place of residence for an intelligent person or a devotee because here there is danger at every step. Vaikuṇṭha is the real home for the devotee, for there is no anxiety and no danger. Good intelligence means becoming Kṛṣṇa conscious. In the Caitanya-caritāmṛta it is said, kṛṣṇa ye bhaje se baḍa catura: unless one is Kṛṣṇa conscious, he cannot be called an intelligent person.
FAQs
This verse portrays the conditioned soul “sinking” in misery and longing for rescuing guidance—an illuminating intelligence that can lift one step by step toward spiritual clarity and devotion.
In the allegorical narrative, the “lady” signifies the inner guide—refined intelligence or higher discernment—which, when awakened, rescues one from entanglement and leads toward liberation.
Cultivate daily discernment through sādhana—hearing sacred texts, prayer, and mindful choices—so that each decision becomes a step guided by clearer spiritual intelligence rather than impulse.