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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
11.23.5711.23.59

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.23.58

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Kṛṣṇasince 11.23.58inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → Uddhava

श्रीभगवानुवाच

निर्विद्य नष्टद्रविणे गतक्लम:

प्रव्रज्य गां पर्यटमान इत्थम् ।

निराकृतोऽसद्भ‍िरपि स्वधर्मा-

दकम्पितोऽमूं मुनिराह गाथाम् ॥ ५८ ॥

śrī-bhagavān uvāca

nirvidya naṣṭa-draviṇe gata-klamaḥ

pravrajya gāṁ paryaṭamāna ittham

nirākṛto ’sadbhir api sva-dharmād

akampito ’mūṁ munir āha gāthām

Translation

Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa said: Thus becoming detached upon the loss of his property, this sage gave up his moroseness. He left home, taking sannyāsa, and began to travel about the earth. Even when insulted by foolish rascals he remained unswerved from his duty and chanted this song.

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.

Remain Steady Despite Loss and Insults

  1. 1

    After losing his property, the sage became detached and gave up his moroseness. He left home, accepted sannyāsa and traveled about the earth.

  2. 2

    Even when foolish people insulted him, he remained steady in his duty. He continued chanting this song.

  3. 3

    Those leaving the exhausting pursuit of money may chant the Vaiṣṇava sannyāsī's song. The purport stresses that being unable to listen to it leaves one a servant of material illusion.

Key points from the purport
  • Those becoming free from the materialistic way of life, which involves grueling austerities performed to acquire money, may chant the preceding song of the Vaiṣṇava sannyāsī.
  • Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura states that if one is not capable of listening to the song of this sannyāsī, then one will certainly remain an obedient servant of material illusion.

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:

He remained fixed in his chosen spiritual practice and sang a song renowned as the Bhikṣu-gīta. Neither mortal persons, the demigods, the soul, the ruling planets, the reactions of work nor time are the causes of one’s happiness and distress.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.23
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śrī-bhagavān uvācathe Supreme Personality of Godhead said
  2. nirvidyabecoming detached
  3. naṣṭa-draviṇehis wealth having been destroyed
  4. gata-klamaḥfree from moroseness
  5. pravrajyaleaving home
  6. gāmthe earth
  7. paryaṭamānaḥtraveling
  8. itthamin this way
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

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 11.23

    In this verse: “detached”, “gave up”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 11.23

    In this verse: “chanted”, “chanting”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “illusion”, “material”

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

What can the sage's steadiness teach you about responding to loss or insulting words?

Practice

Read a short portion of the sage's song aloud today, giving it your full attention.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRemain Steady Despite Loss and InsultsThis 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 11.23.58? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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