Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 8.9.23
तस्यां कृतातिप्रणया: प्रणयापायकातरा: ।
बहुमानेन चाबद्धा नोचु: किञ्चन विप्रियम् ॥ २३ ॥
tasyāṁ kṛtātipraṇayāḥ
[tasyaam kritaatipranayaah]
praṇayāpāya-kātarāḥ
[pranayaapaaya-kaataraah]
bahu-mānena cābaddhā
[bahu-maanena chaabaddhaa]
nocuḥ kiñcana vipriyam
[nochuh kinchana vipriyam]
Word-for-word
tasyām
—
of Mohinī-mūrti
kṛta-ati-praṇayāḥ
—
because of staunch friendship
praṇaya-apāya-kātarāḥ
—
being afraid that their friendship with Her would be broken
bahu-mānena
—
by great respect and honor
ca
—
also
ābaddhāḥ
—
being too attached to Her
na
—
not
ūcuḥ
—
they said
kiñcana
—
even the slightest thing
vipriyam
—
by which Mohinī-mūrti might be displeased with them.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
tasyāṁ kṛtātipraṇayāḥ
tasyām
of Mohinī-mūrti
kṛta-ati-praṇayāḥ
because of staunch friendship
praṇaya-apāya-kātarāḥ
being afraid that their friendship with Her would be broken
praṇayāpāya-kātarāḥ
bahu-mānena cābaddhā
bahu-mānena
by great respect and honor
ca
also
ābaddhāḥ
being too attached to Her
nocuḥ kiñcana vipriyam
na
not
ūcuḥ
they said
kiñcana
even the slightest thing
vipriyam
by which Mohinī-mūrti might be displeased with them.
The demons had developed affection for Mohinī-mūrti and a kind of faith in Her, and they were afraid of disturbing their relationship. Therefore they showed respect and honor to Her words and did not say anything that might disturb their friendship with Her.
Purport
The demons were so captivated by the tricks and friendly words of Mohinī-mūrti that although the demigods were served first, the demons were pacified merely by sweet words. The Lord said to the demons, “The demigods are very miserly and are excessively anxious to take the nectar first. So let them have it first. Since you are not like them you can wait a little longer. You are all heroes and are so pleased with Me. It is better for you to wait until after the demigods drink.”
— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura
Gauḍīya
Translation
Because of great attachment to her, fear of losing her friendship, and being restrained by great respect for her, they said nothing which would displease her.
They were restrained because of great respect for her, since she said “Let these weak devatās drink a little, and you strong heroes wait a moment.” They said nothing at all to displease her for these six reasons, starting with keeping the agreement. They remained silent.
Personal Guidance
Affection for Mohinī and fear of disturbing their relationship silenced the demons. Even those without bhakti can develop a kind of devotion to a charming face. Misplaced attachment is the great silencer.
Reflection Questions
- Whom do I refuse to challenge because I 'do not want to disturb the relationship'?
- What pseudo-devotion in my life is actually attachment that protects illusion?
My note
Source: vedabase.io