Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 25
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
Di antara orang-orang yang datang dan pergi, ia yang hidup dari pelacuran berpikir, “Mungkin ada orang lain yang kaya akan datang kepadaku dan memberi banyak.” Karena harapan sia-sia itu tidurnya lenyap; bersandar di ambang pintu, kadang ia keluar ke jalan, kadang masuk kembali—hingga tengah malam pun tiba.
FAQs
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.