Avadhūta’s Teachers: Python, Ocean, Moth, Bee, Elephant, Deer, Fish—and Piṅgalā’s Song of Detachment
आगतेष्वपयातेषु सा सङ्केतोपजीविनी । अप्यन्यो वित्तवान् कोऽपि मामुपैष्यति भूरिद: ॥ २५ ॥ एवं दुराशया ध्वस्तनिद्रा द्वार्यवलम्बती । निर्गच्छन्ती प्रविशती निशीथं समपद्यत ॥ २६ ॥
āgateṣv apayāteṣu sā saṅketopajīvinī apy anyo vittavān ko ’pi mām upaiṣyati bhūri-daḥ
Parmi ceux qui venaient et repartaient, elle, qui vivait de ce métier, se disait : « Peut-être qu’un autre, riche, viendra à moi et donnera beaucoup. » Par cet espoir vain, le sommeil la quitta ; appuyée au seuil, tantôt elle sortait, tantôt elle rentrait, jusqu’à ce que minuit arrive.
This verse shows how hope for a new enjoyer (“some wealthy man will come”) keeps one bound to anxiety and repeated disappointment.
Because she maintained her livelihood through secret assignations, and her mindset here illustrates dependence on external gratification.
Notice how expectation of the next “better option” fuels restlessness; redirect that hope toward lasting spiritual shelter rather than repeated external validation.