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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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Canto 11 · General History · 31 chapters

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How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
  2. 2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
  3. 3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
  4. 4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
  5. 5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
  6. 6Write down what touched you. Note the main points in your own notebook.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.18.31

Who is speaking and story frame

नोद्विजेत जनाद् धीरो जनं चोद्वेजयेन्न तु ।

अतिवादांस्तितिक्षेत नावमन्येत कञ्चन ।

देहमुद्दिश्य पशुवद् वैरं कुर्यान्न केनचित् ॥ ३१ ॥

nodvijeta janād dhīro

janaṁ codvejayen na tu

ati-vādāṁs titikṣeta

nāvamanyeta kañcana

deham uddiśya paśu-vad

vairaṁ kuryān na kenacit

Translation

A saintly person should never let others frighten or disturb him and, similarly, should never frighten or disturb other people. He should tolerate the insults of others and should never himself belittle anyone. He should never create hostility with anyone for the sake of the material body, for he would thus be no better than an animal.

Read the purport on Vedabase.io

From Canto 10, chapter 14 onward, the translation and purports were completed by Śrīla Prabhupāda's disciples after his departure, and published by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Be Tolerant and Respectful Toward Others

  1. 1

    A Vaiṣṇava should never disturb another living entity with his body, mind or words. He should tolerate insults and never belittle others.

  2. 2

    Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu teaches humility, tolerance and respect for everyone. In this state of mind, one can constantly chant the holy name of the Lord.

  3. 3

    A Vaiṣṇava may act powerfully for Lord Kṛṣṇa’s sake, but remains meek and humble about his own reputation. He does not create hostility for the sake of the material body.

Key points from the purport
  • A Vaiṣṇava should never disturb any other living entity with his body, mind or words.
  • He should always be tolerant and never belittle others.
  • Although a Vaiṣṇava may act powerfully against the demons for Lord Kṛṣṇa’s sake — as did Arjuna, Hanumān and many other great devotees — a Vaiṣṇava becomes very meek and humble in regard to his own reputation.

The purport's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

How it feels

Uncertainty → Clarity. The coming separation makes the instruction personally urgent.

Chapters 10–20 of Canto 11: Kṛṣṇa's teachings on self, yoga and wisdom. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 18: Description of Varṇāśrama-dharma

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

He tolerates the evil words of others and never shows contempt for anyone else. He avoids acting as an enemy or vainly indulging in argument.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.18
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. nanever
  2. udvijetashould be disturbed or frightened
  3. janātbecause of other people
  4. dhīraḥa saintly person
  5. janamother people
  6. caalso
  7. udvejayetshould frighten or disturb
  8. nanever
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 11.18

    In this verse: “material”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 11.18

    In this verse: “chant”, “holy name”

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 11.18

    In this verse: “humble”, “humility”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How could I respond to an insult without belittling the other person?

Practice

Today, speak respectfully in one difficult conversation instead of defending your reputation with harsh words.

5

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Live this todayBe Tolerant and Respectful Toward OthersThis verse's lesson: one practice and one question for today

Study points are short summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport on Vedabase.

Ask the BhāgavatamHave a question about SB 11.18.31? Get an answer from the verses themselves.