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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 ›
Canto 11 · Chapter 23: The Song of the Avantī Brāhmaṇa
11.23.1711.23.20

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Texts 11.23.18-19

Ūti· What drives us to act

स्तेयं हिंसानृतं दम्भ: काम: क्रोध: स्मयो मद: ।

भेदो वैरमविश्वास: संस्पर्धा व्यसनानि च ॥ १८ ॥

एते पञ्चदशानर्था ह्यर्थमूला मता नृणाम् ।

तस्मादनर्थमर्थाख्यं श्रेयोऽर्थी दूरतस्त्यजेत् ॥ १९ ॥

steyaṁ hiṁsānṛtaṁ dambhaḥ

kāmaḥ krodhaḥ smayo madaḥ

bhedo vairam aviśvāsaḥ

saṁspardhā vyasanāni ca

ete pañcadaśānarthā

hy artha-mūlā matā nṛṇām

tasmād anartham arthākhyaṁ

śreyo-’rthī dūratas tyajet

Translation

Theft, violence, speaking lies, duplicity, lust, anger, perplexity, pride, quarreling, enmity, faithlessness, envy and the dangers caused by women, gambling and intoxication are the fifteen undesirable qualities that contaminate men because of greed for wealth. Although these qualities are undesirable, men falsely ascribe value to them. One desiring to achieve the real benefit of life should therefore remain aloof from undesirable material wealth.

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.

Wealth Should Serve the Lord

  1. 1

    Greed for wealth contaminates people with fifteen undesirable qualities, including theft, violence, lying, lust, anger, pride and envy.

  2. 2

    Although these qualities are undesirable, people falsely ascribe value to them. Those seeking life’s real benefit should remain aloof from undesirable wealth.

  3. 3

    The purport defines undesirable wealth as money or property that cannot be efficiently engaged in the loving service of the Lord. Such superfluous wealth should be given up because it pollutes one’s character.

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