1338 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 4, Ch. 28
should never be neglected or disobeyed, like an ordinary person.

If a woman is fortunate enough to be the wife of a pure devotee, she can
serve her husband without any desire for sense gratification. If she remains
engaged in the service of her exalted husband, she will automatically attain
the spiritual perfections of her husband. If a disciple gets a bona fide
spiritual master, simply by sgtisfying him, he can attain a similar oppor-
tunity to serve the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

TEXT 44
Sarat aaa WhyaaTtEct |
TATTT SFE AreM FT Mea ATATST lvl
cira-vasa vrata-ksama
venibhiita-Siroruha
babhav upa patim santa
Sikha Santam ivanalam

cira-vasi—wearing old garments; vrata-ksama—lean and thin on account
of austerities; ventbhiita—entangled; siroruha—her hair; babhau—she shone;
upa patim—near the husband; santa—peaceful; sikha—flames; santam—
without being agitated; iva—like; analam—fire.

TRANSLATION

The daughter of King Vidarbha wore old garments, and she was lean and
thin because of her vows of austerity. Since she did not arrange her hair, it
became entangled and twisted in locks. Although she remained always near
her husband, she was as silent and unagitated as the flame of an undisturbed
fire.

PURPORT

When one begins to burn firewood, there is smoke and agitation in the
beginning. Although there are so many disturbances in the beginning, once
the fire is completely set, the firewood burns steadily. Similarly, when both
husband and wife follow the regulative principles of austerity, they remain
silent and are not agitated by sex impulses. At such a time both husband
and wife are benefited spiritually. One can attain this stage of life by
completely giving up a luxurious mode of life.

In this verse the word cira-vasa refers to very old torn garments. The wife
especially should remain austere, not desiring luxurious dresses and living
