Shloka 9
Nārada’s Past Life, the Lord’s Brief Vision, and the Power of Kīrtana
एकदा निर्गतां गेहाद्दुहन्तीं निशि गां पथि । सर्पोऽदशत्पदा स्पृष्ट: कृपणां कालचोदित: ॥ ९ ॥
ekadā nirgatāṁ gehād duhantīṁ niśi gāṁ pathi sarpo ’daśat padā spṛṣṭaḥ kṛpaṇāṁ kāla-coditaḥ
ఒకసారి నా దరిద్ర తల్లి రాత్రి ఇంటి నుంచి బయలుదేరి దారిలో ఆవును పాలు దోయడానికి వెళ్తుండగా, కాలప్రేరణతో ఒక పాము ఆమె కాళ్లను కరిచింది.
That is the way of dragging a sincere soul nearer to God. The poor boy was being looked after only by his affectionate mother, and yet the mother was taken from the world by the supreme will in order to put him completely at the mercy of the Lord.
FAQs
This verse uses the phrase kāla-coditaḥ—“impelled by Time”—to show that worldly happenings unfold under the higher governance of Time, which drives the results of karma and brings sudden reversals.
Śukadeva recounts Nārada’s early life to illustrate how intense life-shocks and the force of Time can awaken detachment, pushing a soul toward spiritual pursuit and devotion.
Remember life’s uncertainty and avoid complacency—use setbacks to cultivate detachment, deepen prayerful remembrance, and prioritize bhakti over temporary arrangements.