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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.
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Canto 11 · Chapter 23: The Song of the Avantī Brāhmaṇa
11.23.3611.23.38-39

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.23.37

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

क्षिपन्त्येकेऽवजानन्त एष धर्मध्वज: शठ: ।

क्षीणवित्त इमां वृत्तिमग्रहीत् स्वजनोज्झित: ॥ ३७ ॥

kṣipanty eke ’vajānanta

eṣa dharma-dhvajaḥ śaṭhaḥ

kṣīṇa-vitta imāṁ vṛttim

agrahīt sva-janojjhitaḥ

Translation

They would criticize and insult him, saying, “This man is just a hypocrite and a cheat. He makes a business of religion simply because he lost all his wealth and his family threw him out.”

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.

Do Not Assume Dishonest Spiritual Motives

  1. 1

    The people insulted the brāhmaṇa by calling him a hypocrite and a cheat.

  2. 2

    They claimed that he had made religion a business after losing his wealth and being rejected by his family.

  3. 3

    The verse reports their hostile accusations; it does not endorse their judgment of his motives.

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:

Rather, the mind alone is their cause, because it is the mind that makes the spirit soul wander in the cycle of material life. The real purpose of all charity, religiosity and so forth is to bring the mind under control.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.23
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. kṣipantithey criticize
  2. ekesome
  3. avajānantaḥcommitting insults
  4. eṣaḥthis person
  5. dharma-dhvajaḥa religious hypocrite
  6. śaṭhaḥa cheater
  7. kṣīṇa-vittaḥhaving lost his wealth
  8. imāmthis
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “wealth”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 11.23

    In this verse: “religion”

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

Do I sometimes assume that another person’s religious practice is insincere?

Practice

Refrain today from repeating one unverified criticism of someone’s spiritual motives.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDo Not Assume Dishonest Spiritual MotivesThis 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.

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