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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

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

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How to study this verse, in six steps

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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

11.23.35 11.23.37

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.23.36

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

यतवाचं वाचयन्ति ताडयन्ति न वक्ति चेत् ।

तर्जयन्त्यपरे वाग्भि: स्तेनोऽयमिति वादिन: ।

बध्नन्ति रज्ज्वा तं केचिद् बध्यतां बध्यतामिति ॥ ३६ ॥

yata-vācaṁ vācayanti

tāḍayanti na vakti cet

tarjayanty apare vāgbhiḥ

steno ’yam iti vādinaḥ

badhnanti rajjvā taṁ kecid

badhyatāṁ badhyatām iti

Translation

Although he had taken a vow of silence, they would try to make him speak, and if he did not speak they would beat him with sticks. Others would chastise him, saying, “This man is just a thief.” And others would bind him up with rope, shouting, “Tie him up! Tie him up!”

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.

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Silence Met With Coercion and Accusation

1
The brāhmaṇa had taken a vow of silence, but people tried to force him to speak.
2
When he did not speak, they beat him with sticks. His silence became an occasion for their violence.
3
Others called him a thief and bound him with rope. These accusations were part of their harassment.

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

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 summary Back to this verse in chapter 11.23