Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 37
Parīkṣit’s Inquiry into Vṛtrāsura’s Bhakti and the Beginning of Citraketu’s Trial
मातुस्त्वतितरां पुत्रे स्नेहो मोहसमुद्भव: । कृतद्युते: सपत्नीनां प्रजाकामज्वरोऽभवत् ॥ ३७ ॥
mātus tv atitarāṁ putre sneho moha-samudbhavaḥ kṛtadyuteḥ sapatnīnāṁ prajā-kāma-jvaro ’bhavat
தாயின் மகன்பால் மோகத்திலிருந்து எழுந்த பாசமும் மிகையாக வளர்ந்தது. க்ருதத்யுதி பெற்ற மகனைப் பார்த்த பிற மனைவிகள், புத்திர ஆசையால் கடும் காய்ச்சல்போல் கலங்கினார்கள்।
FAQs
This verse states that excessive maternal attachment to a son arises from moha (delusion), and that intense desire for progeny can become a form of suffering, described as a fever.
Because it burns the mind with constant longing and rivalry, especially among co-wives, turning a natural wish into distress and agitation.
It encourages balancing love with spiritual clarity—reducing possessiveness and anxiety by remembering that relationships are temporary and should be connected to devotion and dharma.