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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
11.23.811.23.10

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.23.9

Ūti· What drives us to act
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

तस्यैवं यक्षवित्तस्य च्युतस्योभयलोकत: ।

धर्मकामविहीनस्य चुक्रुधु: पञ्चभागिन: ॥ ९ ॥

tasyaivaṁ yakṣa-vittasya

cyutasyobhaya-lokataḥ

dharma-kāma-vihīnasya

cukrudhuḥ pañca-bhāginaḥ

Translation

In this way the presiding deities of the five family sacrifices became angry at the brāhmaṇa, who, being niggardly, guarded his wealth like a Yakṣa, who had no good destination either in this world or the next, and who was totally deprived of religiosity and sense enjoyment.

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.

Hoarded Wealth Cannot Secure Well-Being

  1. 1

    The brāhmaṇa guarded his wealth like a Yakṣa rather than putting it to proper use.

  2. 2

    The presiding deities of the five family sacrifices became angry with him.

  3. 3

    He was deprived of both religiosity and sense enjoyment. His hoarding secured no good destination in this world or the next.

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:

As a result, his wife, sons, daughters, relatives and servants were all deprived of every kind of enjoyment and gradually came to behave unaffectionately toward him. In due course of time, thieves, family members and providence took away the sum total of his wealth.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.23
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tasyaat him
  2. evamin this way
  3. yakṣa-vittasyawho simply kept his wealth without spending it, like the Yakṣas, who guard the treasury of Kuvera
  4. cyutasyawho was deprived
  5. ubhayaof both
  6. lokataḥworlds (this life and the next)
  7. dharmareligiosity
  8. kāmaand sense gratification
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 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: “religiosity”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 11.23

    In this verse: “guarded”

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

Am I guarding resources while neglecting the responsibilities they should help me fulfill?

Practice

Identify one neglected household responsibility and use a little time or money to attend to it today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHoarded Wealth Cannot Secure Well-BeingThis 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 11.23.9? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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