Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 44
Avadhūta’s Teachers: Python, Ocean, Moth, Bee, Elephant, Deer, Fish—and Piṅgalā’s Song of Detachment
आशा हि परमं दु:खं नैराश्यं परमं सुखम् । यथा सञ्छिद्य कान्ताशां सुखं सुष्वाप पिङ्गला ॥ ४४ ॥
āśā hi paramaṁ duḥkhaṁ nairāśyaṁ paramaṁ sukham yathā sañchidya kāntāśāṁ sukhaṁ suṣvāpa piṅgalā
ఆశే పరమ దుఃఖము, నిరాశ (వైరాగ్యము) పరమ సుఖము. పింగళా అబద్ధ ప్రేమికులపై కోరికను పూర్తిగా తెంచి ఆనందంగా నిద్రించింది।
Thus end the purports of the humble servants of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda to the Eleventh Canto, Eighth Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled “The Story of Piṅgalā.”
FAQs
This verse teaches that expectation rooted in worldly desire becomes the greatest source of sorrow, while giving up such expectation brings the highest peace.
Because she renounces her craving for a lover (sense-based hope) and becomes inwardly detached; that inner renunciation allows her to rest in genuine calm.
Reduce dependence on external validation and outcomes, perform duties without obsessive expectation, and redirect longing toward devotion and inner discipline—then the mind naturally becomes lighter and more peaceful.