Shloka 55
Ikṣvāku Dynasty: Vikukṣi’s Offense, Purañjaya’s Victory, Māndhātā’s Birth, and Saubhari’s Fall and Renunciation
ता: स्वपत्युर्महाराज निरीक्ष्याध्यात्मिकीं गतिम् । अन्वीयुस्तत्प्रभावेण अग्निं शान्तमिवार्चिष: ॥ ५५ ॥
tāḥ sva-patyur mahārāja nirīkṣyādhyātmikīṁ gatim anvīyus tat-prabhāveṇa agniṁ śāntam ivārciṣaḥ
O Mahārāja Parīkṣit, seeing their husband Saubhari Muni advance in spiritual existence, his wives also, by the power of his spiritual potency, entered the spiritual world—just as flames subside when the fire is extinguished.
As stated in Bhagavad-gītā (9.32) , striyo vaiśyās tathā śūdrās te ’pi yānti parāṁ gatim. Women are not considered very powerful in following spiritual principles, but if a woman is fortunate enough to get a suitable husband who is spiritually advanced and if she always engages in his service, she also gets the same benefit as her husband. Here it is clearly said that the wives of Saubhari Muni also entered the spiritual world by the influence of their husband. They were unfit, but because they were faithful followers of their husband, they also entered the spiritual world with him. Thus a woman should be a faithful servant of her husband, and if the husband is spiritually advanced, the woman will automatically get the opportunity to enter the spiritual world.
FAQs
This verse highlights that by witnessing and being influenced by a spiritually elevated person (here, their husband), others can follow the same higher path—like flames naturally following fire.
Because they directly perceived his adhyātmikī gati (spiritual destination) and were carried by the power of his spiritual influence, prompting them to follow his course.
Choose uplifting association—living close to sincere sādhana, character, and devotion naturally strengthens one’s own spiritual direction and values.