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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.
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Canto 11 · Chapter 23: The Song of the Avantī Brāhmaṇa
11.23.3411.23.36

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.23.35

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Kṛṣṇasince 11.23.31inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → UddhavaThe Avantī brāhmaṇa → himself

अन्नं च भैक्ष्यसम्पन्नं भुञ्जानस्य सरित्तटे ।

मूत्रयन्ति च पापिष्ठा: ष्ठीवन्त्यस्य च मूर्धनि ॥ ३५ ॥

annaṁ ca bhaikṣya-sampannaṁ

bhuñjānasya sarit-taṭe

mūtrayanti ca pāpiṣṭhāḥ

ṣṭhīvanty asya ca mūrdhani

Translation

When he was sitting on the bank of a river about to partake of the food that he had collected by his begging, such sinful rascals would come and pass urine on it, and they would dare to spit on his head.

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.

Recognize Cruelty Toward the Vulnerable

  1. 1

    The brāhmaṇa sat on a riverbank, about to eat the food he had collected by begging.

  2. 2

    Sinful persons urinated on that food, interfering with his simple meal.

  3. 3

    They also spat on his head. The translation clearly presents these acts as sinful cruelty.

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:

In this condition he determined to engage the duration of his life in the worship of Lord Hari and thus accepted the mendicant order of tridaṇḍi-sannyāsa. Subsequently, he would enter different villages to beg charity, but the people would harass and disturb 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. annamfood
  2. caand
  3. bhaikṣyaby his begging
  4. sampannamacquired
  5. bhuñjānasyaof him who was about to partake
  6. saritof a river
  7. taṭeon the shore
  8. mūtrayantithey urinate upon
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 11.23

    In this verse: “sinful”

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 carefully do I respect another person’s food and bodily dignity?

Practice

Show simple consideration today by allowing someone to eat without disturbance.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRecognize Cruelty Toward the VulnerableThis 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 11.23.35? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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