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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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Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
11.23.2411.23.26

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.23.25

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The brāhmaṇasince 11.23.14inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → UddhavaThe Avantī brāhmaṇa → himself

व्यर्थयार्थेहया वित्तं प्रमत्तस्य वयो बलम् ।

कुशला येन सिध्यन्ति जरठ: किं नु साधये ॥ २५ ॥

vyarthayārthehayā vittaṁ

pramattasya vayo balam

kuśalā yena sidhyanti

jaraṭhaḥ kiṁ nu sādhaye

Translation

Discriminating persons are able to utilize their money, youth and strength to achieve perfection. But I have feverishly squandered these in the useless endeavor for further wealth. Now that I am an old man, what can I achieve?

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

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.

Use Your Resources Before They Pass

  1. 1

    Discriminating persons use money, youth and strength to achieve perfection. These resources need not be spent merely on gaining more wealth.

  2. 2

    The speaker regrets feverishly squandering these gifts in the useless pursuit of further wealth.

  3. 3

    Now old, he asks what he can achieve. His regret highlights the importance of using available resources wisely.

How it feels

Striving → Complete devotional trust. The Lord redirects Uddhava toward enduring loving service.

Chapters 21–29 of Canto 11: Spiritual practice culminating in bhakti-yoga. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 23: The Song of the Avantī Brāhmaṇa

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Because of wealth, there arise fifteen unwanted items — thievery, violence, lying, deception, lust, anger, pride, feverishness, disagreement, hatred, distrust, conflict, attachment to women, gambling and intoxication. When this meditation arose in his heart, the brāhmaṇa could understand that the Supreme Lord Śrī Hari had somehow become satisfied with him.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.23
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. vyarthayāuseless
  2. arthafor wealth
  3. īhayāby the endeavor
  4. vittammoney
  5. pramattasyaof the maddened
  6. vayaḥyouth
  7. balamstrength
  8. kuśalāḥthose who are discriminating
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 11.23

    In this verse: “wealth”

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

Where am I spending my strength merely to gain more, rather than to pursue perfection?

Practice

Write down one way to redirect some of today’s time or strength from accumulating wealth toward spiritual perfection.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayUse Your Resources Before They PassThis 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 11.23.25? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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