Shloka 17
Varṣā-Śarad Vṛndāvana-Śobha: The Beauty of the Rainy and Autumn Seasons in Vraja
लोकबन्धुषु मेघेषु विद्युतश्चलसौहृदा: । स्थैर्यं न चक्रु: कामिन्य: पुरुषेषु गुणिष्विव ॥ १७ ॥
loka-bandhuṣu megheṣu vidyutaś cala-sauhṛdāḥ sthairyaṁ na cakruḥ kāminyaḥ puruṣeṣu guṇiṣv iva
Among the clouds—well-wishing friends of all beings—the lightning, fickle in affection, darted from one cluster to another, like a lust-driven woman who is unfaithful even to a virtuous man.
Śrīla Prabhupāda comments: “During the rainy season, lightning appears in one group of clouds and then immediately in another group of clouds. This phenomenon is compared to a lusty woman who does not fix her mind on one man. A cloud is compared to a qualified person because it pours rain and gives sustenance to many people; a man who is qualified similarly gives sustenance to many living creatures, such as family members or many workers in business. Unfortunately, his whole life can be disturbed by a wife who divorces him; when the husband is disturbed, the whole family is ruined, the children are dispersed or the business is closed, and everything is affected. It is therefore recommended that a woman desiring to advance in Kṛṣṇa consciousness peacefully live with a husband and that the couple not separate under any condition. The husband and wife should control sex indulgence and concentrate their minds on Kṛṣṇa consciousness so their life may be successful. After all, in the material world a man requires a woman and a woman requires a man. When they are combined, they should live peacefully in Kṛṣṇa consciousness and should not be restless like the lightning, flashing from one group of clouds to another.”
FAQs
In this verse, Śukadeva compares lightning’s wavering presence among clouds to unstable affection—teaching that when the mind is restless, steadiness in relationships and even appreciation of virtue becomes difficult.
He uses the rainy season in Vraja as a spiritual allegory—natural phenomena become mirrors for human psychology, warning against fickleness and encouraging inner steadiness.
Cultivate steadiness (sthairya) through disciplined habits—prayer, mantra, and self-control—so emotions do not swing like lightning, weakening commitment and clarity.