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
Entre os que chegavam e partiam, ela, que vivia desse ofício, pensava: “Talvez venha outro rico que me dê muito.” Por essa esperança vã, perdeu o sono; apoiada ao umbral, ora saía à rua, ora voltava para dentro, até que a meia-noite chegou.
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.