Shloka 6
Kardama Muni’s Mystic Opulence, Devahūti’s Rejuvenation, and the Turning Toward Fearlessness
कर्दम उवाच तुष्टोऽहमद्य तव मानवि मानदाया: शुश्रूषया परमया परया च भक्त्या । यो देहिनामयमतीव सुहृत्स देहो नावेक्षित: समुचित: क्षपितुं मदर्थे ॥ ६ ॥
kardama uvāca tuṣṭo ’ham adya tava mānavi mānadāyāḥ śuśrūṣayā paramayā parayā ca bhaktyā yo dehinām ayam atīva suhṛt sa deho nāvekṣitaḥ samucitaḥ kṣapituṁ mad-arthe
Kardama Muni dit : « Ô digne fille de Manu, aujourd’hui je suis grandement satisfait de ton service suprême et de ta bhakti si élevée. Le corps est très cher aux êtres incarnés ; pourtant, pour moi, tu as négligé de prendre soin de ton propre corps comme il convient. Cela m’étonne. »
It is indicated here that one’s body is very dear, yet Devahūti was so faithful to her husband that not only did she serve him with great devotion, service and respect, but she did not even care for her own health. That is called selfless service. It appears that Devahūti had no sense pleasure, even with her husband, otherwise she would not have deteriorated in health. Acting to facilitate Kardama Muni’s engagement in spiritual elevation, she continually assisted him, not caring for bodily comfort. It is the duty of a faithful and chaste wife to help her husband in every respect, especially when the husband is engaged in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. In this case, the husband also amply rewarded the wife. This is not to be expected by a woman who is the wife of an ordinary person.
FAQs
This verse shows that sincere, attentive service offered with supreme devotion is spiritually significant—even in household life—and it deeply pleases a saintly devotee like Kardama Muni.
He praised her because she served him with exceptional dedication and devotion, even neglecting her own bodily comfort, wearing herself out for his sake.
Serve loved ones and spiritual responsibilities with devotion and integrity, but also remember that true seva should be balanced—caring for one’s body as a fit instrument for dharma and bhakti.