Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 3.33.21
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesLove Directed Toward the Supreme Lord
“Devahūti’s husband had already left home and accepted the renounced order of life, and then her only son, Kapila, left home. Although she knew all the truths of life and death, and although her heart was cleansed of all dirt, she was very aggrieved at the loss of her son, just as a cow is affected when her calf dies.”
What the purport teaches
- Although Devahūti knew the truths of life and death and had a purified heart, she deeply grieved when Kapila departed.
- Her grief arose from sincere love for the Personality of Godhead, not from her worldly relationship with Kardama Muni. Her affection was compared to that of a cow bereft of her calf.
- Attachment to a material son binds one to material existence. The same attachment transferred to the Supreme Lord brings elevation to the spiritual world in His association.
Try this today
Spend a quiet minute expressing your wish for the Supreme Lord’s association.
Ask yourself
How does Devahūti’s grief help me distinguish spiritual affection from material attachment?
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.