Shloka 56
Kṛṣṇa’s Impending Departure; Uddhava’s Surrender; King Yadu and the Avadhūta’s Twenty-Four Gurus
Beginnings
यं यं वाञ्छति सा राजन् तर्पयन्त्यनुकम्पिता । तं तं समनयत् कामं कृच्छ्रेणाप्यजितेन्द्रिय: ॥ ५६ ॥
yaṁ yaṁ vāñchati sā rājan tarpayanty anukampitā taṁ taṁ samanayat kāmaṁ kṛcchreṇāpy ajitendriyaḥ
ఓ రాజా, ఆమె ఏది కోరినా పావురి దయతో ముద్దుగా భర్తను ఒప్పించేది; ఇంద్రియనిగ్రహం లేని పావురం ఎంత కష్టం వచ్చినా ఆమె కోరికను నెరవేర్చేవాడు।
The word tarpayantī indicates that the lady pigeon was quite expert in seducing her husband through smiling glances and loving talks. Thus appealing to his noble sentiments, she efficiently engaged him as her faithful servant. The poor pigeon was ajitendriya, or one who cannot control his senses and whose heart is easily melted by the beauty of a woman. The brāhmaṇa avadhūta is giving valuable instructions by narrating this story of the two pigeons and the terrible distress they suffered by inevitable separation. If one’s intelligence is not dedicated to serving Hṛṣīkeśa, the Supreme Lord of sense activity, undoubtedly one will plunge into the nescience of bodily gratification. Then one becomes no better than a foolish pigeon.
FAQs
This verse highlights that when one cannot conquer the senses, one keeps running after ever-new desires—even if fulfilling them is difficult—thus remaining bound to material longing.
Śukadeva is narrating a cautionary account within Canto 11’s teachings, directly instructing King Parīkṣit by drawing attention to how sense-driven compassion can turn into continued indulgence.
Compassion should be guided by dharma and self-mastery: before trying to satisfy every demand (in relationships or consumer life), cultivate restraint and clear boundaries so desire does not dictate decisions.