1. After explaining a particular philosophical conclusion, (Siddhanta), it is customary to corroborate it with an example. This strengthens the faith of the audience.
2. While this is a true story, it has a philosophical interpretation. Atma Deva (lit. divine soul) is the living entity. Tungabhadra (very auspicious) signifies the material body. In Bhagavad-gita (5.13) the material body is compared to a city of nine gates which hosts the living entity. This city is very auspicious because it gives facility to understand the scriptures and thus attain the lotus feet of the Lord. Although it is temporary, it can award permanent benefits, adhruva-marthadam (S.B. 7.6.1).
Karma-kanda activities signify all endeavors for sense gratification. Some people work hard to enjoy in this life, and others to enjoy in the next. A person is rich because he can elevate himself to spiritual life. but one is called krpana or miserly if he uses his intelligence and energy for sense pleasure, which is available even to dogs and hogs.
Dhundhuli (lit. unclear) represents the intelligence which should work under the guidance of the soul. However, if she henpecks her husband, the living entity, he becomes like her slave. Contaminated intelligence takes pleasure in material thoughts which are compared to gossiping. Hatred and envy are compared to cruelty and quarreling. Material intelligence is expertly used in material affairs (household duties).
3. Happiness does not depend on wealth. Everyone remains dissatisfied despite his high or low material standards.
4. A materialistic person is always full of stress and anxiety running after sense pleasure, like a deer running after the water in a mirage.
5. Drinking water and relaxing represent temporarily stopping material pursuits. This is compared to shifting a heavy load from one shoulder to the other, it gives only a momentary feeling of relief.
6. The sannyasi signifies the spiritual master.
7. Generally, a materialistic person approaches a guru to satisfy his own material desires. The intelligence develops discrimination only through holy association, but when the intelligence is overly attached to sense pleasure, one cannot understand the value of detachment or transcendental knowledge. Such people consider devotional life extremely miserable.
8. Unless one takes to the spiritual life he must suffer or enjoy the fruits of his past karma.
9. The general tendency of the human being is to enjoy the fruits of labor without undergoing any endeavor. This is compared to a woman desiring to bear a son without labor pains.
10. Material intelligence always cheats the living entity.
11. The sister signifies the mind. The mind and intelligence conspire against the conditioned soul.
12. A materialistic person feels elated with material success, but it does not last very long.
13. In the Bhagavad-gita Lord Krishna explains that happiness in the mode of passion is like a nectar in the beginning and poison at the end; it always ends in misery.
14. Gokarna was born from the fruit given by the sannyasi, thus the association of a saint never goes in vain. Even if one approaches a devotee or Krishna with the vested interest, he will benefit spiritually in due course of time.
15. Practice with determination and enthusiasm is the key to success.
yasyam vai sruyamanayam
krsne parama-puruse
bhaktir utpadyate pumsah
soka-moha-bhayapaha
Simply by giving aural reception to this Vedic literature, the feeling for loving devotional service to Lord Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, sprouts up at once to extinguish the fire of lamentation, illusion, and fearfulness. Shrimad Bhagavatam 1.7.7