Shloka 6
Bhakti Yoga: The Three Modes of Devotion, Non-Envy, and Time as the Lord
मैत्रेय उवाच इति मातुर्वच: श्लक्ष्णं प्रतिनन्द्य महामुनि: । आबभाषे कुरुश्रेष्ठ प्रीतस्तां करुणार्दित: ॥ ६ ॥
maitreya uvāca iti mātur vacaḥ ślakṣṇaṁ pratinandya mahā-muniḥ ābabhāṣe kuru-śreṣṭha prītas tāṁ karuṇārditaḥ
Śrī Maitreya said: O best of the Kurus, the great sage Kapila, pleased by the gentle words of His glorious mother and moved by compassion, spoke as follows.
Lord Kapila was very satisfied by the request of His glorious mother because she was thinking not only in terms of her personal salvation but in terms of all the fallen conditioned souls. The Lord is always compassionate towards the fallen souls of this material world, and therefore He comes Himself or sends His confidential servants to deliver them. Since He is perpetually compassionate towards them, if some of His devotees also become compassionate towards them, He is very pleased with the devotees. In Bhagavad-gītā it is clearly stated that persons who are trying to elevate the condition of the fallen souls by preaching the conclusion of Bhagavad-gītā — namely, full surrender unto the Personality of Godhead — are very dear to Him. Thus when the Lord saw that His beloved mother was very compassionate towards the fallen souls, He was pleased, and He also became compassionate towards her.
FAQs
Maitreya narrates that the great sage Kapila, pleased and compassionate, begins speaking to his mother Devahuti; the narration is addressed to Vidura (called ‘best of the Kurus’).
It highlights the mood of a genuine teacher: Kapila responds to Devahuti’s sincere words and spiritual longing with kindness, preparing to explain bhakti-yoga as a merciful instruction.
Receive sincere words respectfully and respond with compassion—this is the devotional way of guiding others and learning sacred teachings.