Devahuti's Lamentation
After Kardama announced his intent to renounce and pursue solitary devotion, Devahuti reflected on her life’s transformation. Though grateful for her husband’s blessings and the promise of the Lord’s descent, she felt apprehension about separation and her own spiritual incompleteness. She lamented that despite serving Kardama externally, she still felt the pull of material impressions accumulated over lifetimes. Her honest self-assessment showed that external austerity alone does not guarantee inner purification.
Devahuti humbly requested Kardama to ensure her continued spiritual progress, acknowledging that without guidance she might relapse into materialism. She expressed faith that the son to be born—an incarnation of the Lord—would enlighten her, yet she sought reassurance that she would be fit to receive His instruction. Her vulnerability modeled the proper mood of a seeker: aware of one’s shortcomings and eager for genuine transformation.
Kardama consoled her, praising her service and assuring her that the Supreme Lord would soon appear as their son, Kapila, to instruct her directly. He emphasized that the Lord’s association would remove the subtle seeds of material desire that austerity alone had not burned. With confidence in the Lord’s promise, Kardama prepared to depart, entrusting Devahuti to divine care.
The sage then offered respects to his wife for her faithfulness, demonstrating that true renunciation does not abandon responsibility; it transitions it to the Lord’s protection. He departed to the forest to deepen his meditation, satisfied that his worldly duties were complete and that the Lord Himself would guide Devahuti to perfection.
Maitreya highlighted that Devahuti’s lamentation was not despair but a catalyst for deeper surrender. By recognizing her need for divine instruction, she became an ideal recipient of Kapila’s teachings on bhakti and analytical knowledge. Her story shows that sincere regret, when paired with faith, accelerates spiritual advancement.
The chapter concludes with anticipation: Kapila, the Supreme Lord’s incarnation, is about to appear to deliver teachings that synthesize devotion and philosophy. Vidura, hearing this, became eager to learn those instructions, while readers are reminded that genuine humility invites the Lord’s personal guidance.