Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 27
The Dynasty of Vaivasvata Manu Begins — Ilā/Sudyumna and the Birth of Purūravā
तथा तदनुगा: सर्वे आत्मलिङ्गविपर्ययम् । दृष्ट्वा विमनसोऽभूवन् वीक्षमाणा: परस्परम् ॥ २७ ॥
tathā tad-anugāḥ sarve ātma-liṅga-viparyayam dṛṣṭvā vimanaso ’bhūvan vīkṣamāṇāḥ parasparam
Apabila para pengikutnya juga melihat jati diri mereka berubah dan jantina mereka terbalik, semuanya menjadi murung dan hanya saling memandang.
FAQs
This verse describes Sudyumna’s attendants becoming distressed when they saw the reversal of his bodily identity, highlighting how startling and humbling material bodily change can be.
They were confused and saddened because they witnessed their master’s bodily marks change, and they could not immediately understand how to respond to such an extraordinary reversal.
It reminds us not to place ultimate confidence in external identity and circumstances, which can change suddenly, and to seek steadiness through dharma and devotion.