Shloka 40
The Lord’s Supervision of Embodiment: Fetal Development, Womb-Suffering, and the Jīva’s Prayer (Garbha-stuti) — and the Trap of Māyā
योपयाति शनैर्माया योषिद्देवविनिर्मिता । तामीक्षेतात्मनो मृत्युं तृणै: कूपमिवावृतम् ॥ ४० ॥
yopayāti śanair māyā yoṣid deva-vinirmitā tām īkṣetātmano mṛtyuṁ tṛṇaiḥ kūpam ivāvṛtam
Woman, fashioned by the Lord, stands as the very emblem of māyā; one who associates with that māyā by accepting her services should know it to be the path of death—like a hidden well covered with grass.
Sometimes it happens that a rejected well is covered by grass, and an unwary traveler who does not know of the existence of the well falls down, and his death is assured. Similarly, association with a woman begins when one accepts service from her, because woman is especially created by the Lord to give service to man. By accepting her service, a man is entrapped. If he is not intelligent enough to know that she is the gateway to hellish life, he may indulge in her association very liberally. This is restricted for those who aspire to ascend to the transcendental platform. Even fifty years ago in Hindu society, such association was restricted. A wife could not see her husband during the daytime. Householders even had different residential quarters. The internal quarters of a residential house were for the woman, and the external quarters were for the man. Acceptance of service rendered by a woman may appear very pleasing, but one should be very cautious in accepting such service because it is clearly said that woman is the gateway to death, or forgetfulness of one’s self. She blocks the path of spiritual realization.
FAQs
This verse says that the Lord’s māyā gradually entangles the soul through sexual attraction, and one should see such fascination as spiritually deadly—like a well concealed by grass.
Kapiladeva is teaching sāṅkhya-bhakti detachment: uncontrolled attraction binds the jīva to repeated birth and death, so He urges clear vision and restraint to progress toward liberation and devotion.
Treat sense-attraction as a serious spiritual risk, practice self-regulation, keep uplifting association and devotional habits, and redirect desire toward service to the Lord rather than compulsive enjoyment.