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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
11.23.2511.23.27

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.23.26

Ūti· What drives us to act
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

कस्मात् सङ्‍‍क्लिश्यते विद्वान् व्यर्थयार्थेहयासकृत् ।

कस्यचिन्मायया नूनं लोकोऽयं सुविमोहित: ॥ २६ ॥

kasmāt saṅkliśyate vidvān

vyarthayārthehayāsakṛt

kasyacin māyayā nūnaṁ

loko ’yaṁ su-vimohitaḥ

Translation

Why must an intelligent man suffer by his constant vain efforts to get wealth? Indeed, this whole world is most bewildered by someone’s illusory potency.

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.

Question the Endless Pursuit of Wealth

  1. 1

    The speaker questions why an intelligent person should suffer through constant, vain efforts to obtain wealth.

  2. 2

    Repeated efforts to gain wealth can bring suffering rather than a worthwhile result.

  3. 3

    He recognizes that the whole world is deeply bewildered by an illusory potency. Intelligence alone does not make this bewilderment disappear.

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. kasmātwhy
  2. saṅkliśyatesuffers
  3. vidvānone who is wise
  4. vyarthayāvain
  5. artha-īhayāin the pursuit of wealth
  6. asakṛtconstantly
  7. kasyacitof someone
  8. māyayāby the illusory potency
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “wealth”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 11.23

    In this verse: “suffering”

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

Is my pursuit of more wealth creating suffering that I have stopped questioning?

Practice

Pause before one unnecessary money-making effort today and ask whether its result is worth the suffering it brings.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayQuestion the Endless Pursuit of WealthThis 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 11.23.26? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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