Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 3.23.50
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesDevahūti’s Gestures Revealed Her Distress
“She stood and scratched the ground with her foot, which was radiant with the luster of her gemlike nails. Her head bent down, she spoke in slow yet charming accents, suppressing her tears.”
What the purport teaches
- Devahūti lowered her head and scratched the ground with her foot. The purport explains this gesture as a sign of her disturbed mind.
- Her toenails shone like pearls. As she scratched the ground, it appeared as though pearls had been scattered there.
- Suppressing her tears, she spoke slowly in charming accents. The purport recalls that the gopīs also scratched the ground in distress when Kṛṣṇa asked them to return home.
Try this today
Reread the verse and identify two outward signs of Devahūti’s inner pain.
Ask yourself
How does noticing Devahūti’s gestures deepen my understanding of her distress?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.