Shloka 40
The Brāhmaṇas’ Wives Blessed (Brāhmaṇa-patnī-prasāda) — Ritualism Humbled by Bhakti
धिग् जन्म नस्त्रिवृद् यत् तद् धिग्व्रतं धिग्बहुज्ञताम् । धिक्कुलं धिक् क्रियादाक्ष्यं विमुखा ये त्वधोक्षजे ॥ ४० ॥
dhig janma nas tri-vṛd yat tad dhig vrataṁ dhig bahu-jñatām dhik kulaṁ dhik kriyā-dākṣyaṁ vimukhā ye tv adhokṣaje
To hell with our threefold birth, our brahmacarya vow, and our vast learning! To hell with noble lineage and skill in sacrificial rites—since we were hostile to the transcendental Lord, Adhokṣaja.
As explained in the definitions above, the words tri-vṛḍ janma, or “threefold birth,” refer to 1) physical birth, 2) brahminical initiation and 3) initiation into the performance of Vedic sacrifice. Everything is useless if one is ignorant of the Absolute Truth, the Supreme Lord Kṛṣṇa.
FAQs
This verse declares that birth, vows, scholarship, lineage, and ritual expertise are worthless if one is turned away from Adhokṣaja (the Supreme Lord); bhakti is the true value.
They lament that external religious credentials can become empty pride when they do not lead to loving surrender to Kṛṣṇa; without devotion, such attainments fail their real purpose.
Use it as a reminder to prioritize sincere remembrance, service, and humility over mere identity, credentials, or mechanical practice—letting all disciplines culminate in devotion to God.