Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 14
Vānaprastha-vidhi and Sannyāsa-dharma: Austerity, Detachment, and the Paramahaṁsa Ideal
विप्रस्य वै सन्न्यसतो देवा दारादिरूपिण: । विघ्नान् कुर्वन्त्ययं ह्यस्मानाक्रम्य समियात् परम् ॥ १४ ॥
viprasya vai sannyasato devā dārādi-rūpiṇaḥ vighnān kurvanty ayaṁ hy asmān ākramya samiyāt param
Bagi brāhmaṇa yang mengambil sannyāsa, para dewa menimbulkan halangan dengan menampakkan diri sebagai bekas isteri dan pelbagai objek yang memikat, sambil berfikir, “Dia akan melampaui kami dan mencapai Yang Tertinggi”; namun sannyāsī tidak wajar mengendahkan mereka dan penampakan itu.
The demigods are empowered with universal administration and by their potency may appear as the former wife of a sannyāsī or as other women, so that the sannyāsī gives up his strict vows and becomes entangled in sense gratification. Lord Kṛṣṇa here encourages all sannyāsīs by telling them, “Pay no attention to such illusory manifestations. Continue your duties and go back home, back to Godhead.”
FAQs
This verse says the devas fear that a sincere renunciant will transcend their realm and attain the supreme destination, so they test him by manifesting attachments like spouse and family ties.
In the Uddhava-gītā section, Kṛṣṇa instructs Uddhava on varṇāśrama and renunciation, warning that subtle tests of attachment can arise even from higher powers when one is advancing toward liberation.
Recognize that distractions often appear right when spiritual resolve strengthens; respond by renewing discipline, reducing attachment, and keeping the goal—service to the Supreme—at the center.