Avadhūta’s Teachers: Python, Ocean, Moth, Bee, Elephant, Deer, Fish—and Piṅgalā’s Song of Detachment
मैवं स्युर्मन्दभाग्याया: क्लेशा निर्वेदहेतव: । येनानुबन्धं निर्हृत्य पुरुष: शममृच्छति ॥ ३८ ॥
maivaṁ syur manda-bhāgyāyāḥ kleśā nirveda-hetavaḥ yenānubandhaṁ nirhṛtya puruṣaḥ śamam ṛcchati
Jangan mengira bahwa penderitaan yang menimbulkan lepas-ikatan hanya menimpa orang malang. Penderitaan yang memutus belenggu keterikatan dan membawa seseorang pada kedamaian pun bersifat penuh rahmat. Karena derita besar, detasemen terbangun di hatiku; bagaimana mungkin aku malang? Ini adalah belas kasih Tuhan; Dia pasti berkenan kepadaku.
This verse explains that suffering becomes spiritually useful only when it produces detachment; then one can uproot material entanglement and attain peace.
Pingalā’s experience shows how disappointment in worldly hope can transform into nirveda (disenchantment), becoming a gateway to inner peace and spiritual clarity.
Use setbacks to reduce dependence on external validation and sense enjoyment; consciously cut the habits and attachments that bind the mind, and cultivate steady spiritual practice for lasting peace.