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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
11.23.411.23.6

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.23.5

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Kṛṣṇasince 11.23.2inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → Uddhava

केनचिद् भिक्षुणा गीतं परिभूतेन दुर्जनै: ।

स्मरता धृतियुक्तेन विपाकं निजकर्मणाम् ॥ ५ ॥

kenacid bhikṣuṇā gītaṁ

paribhūtena durjanaiḥ

smaratā dhṛti-yuktena

vipākaṁ nija-karmaṇām

Translation

Once a certain sannyāsī was insulted in many ways by impious men. However, with determination he remembered that he was suffering the fruit of his own previous karma. I will narrate to you his story and that which he spoke.

Read the purport on Vedabase.io

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.

Choose Tolerance Instead of Retaliation

  1. 1

    Although impious men insulted the sannyāsī in many ways, he remained determined. He remembered that his suffering was the fruit of his own previous karma.

  2. 2

    Lack of tolerance can draw a renunciant back into impious life. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu therefore teaches that one should become as tolerant as a tree.

  3. 3

    A beginner in devotional service should reject the ethic of an eye for an eye. Refusing enmity avoids further unhappiness and supports remaining on the devotional path.

Key points from the purport
  • This analysis, however, is superficial, since the punishment is actually the cumulative result of one’s past karma.
  • Some renunciants show lack of tolerance when presented with the remnants of their previous sins and thus are forced to enter again onto the path of impious life.
  • If one refuses to enter into enmity with envious men, they will automatically leave him alone.”

The purport's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

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:

This chapter tells the story of a mendicant sannyāsī from the Avantī country as an example of how one should tolerate the disturbances and offenses created by evil persons. The harsh words of uncouth persons pierce the heart even more severely than arrows.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.23
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. kenacitby a certain
  2. bhikṣuṇāsannyāsī
  3. gītamsung
  4. paribhūtenawho was insulted
  5. durjanaiḥby impious persons
  6. smaratāremembering
  7. dhṛti-yuktenafixing his resolution
  8. vipākamthe consequences
  9. nija-karmaṇāmof his own past activities
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

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

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

    In this verse: “suffering”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 11.23

    In this verse: “devotional service”

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

When I feel insulted, does my response deepen enmity or help me remain steady in devotional service?

Practice

For one remembered insult, set aside any plan to retaliate and resolve not to add another hostile exchange.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayChoose Tolerance Instead of RetaliationThis 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 11.23.5? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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