Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 11

The Prayers of the Personified Vedas (Śruti-stuti) and the Indescribable Absolute

Devanagari script

तुल्यश्रुततप:शीलास्तुल्यस्वीयारिमध्यमा: । अपि चक्रु: प्रवचनमेकं शुश्रूषवोऽपरे ॥ ११ ॥

Transliteration

tulya-śruta-tapaḥ-śīlās tulya-svīyāri-madhyamāḥ api cakruḥ pravacanam ekaṁ śuśrūṣavo ’pare

Translation

Although these sages were all equally qualified in terms of Vedic study and austerity, and although they all saw friends, enemies and neutral parties equally, they chose one of their number to be the speaker, and the rest became eager listeners.

Synonyms

• तुल्य-श्रुत-तपः-शीलाः: having equal learning, austerity, and conduct
• तुल्य-श्रुत-तपः-शीलाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तुल्य (प्रातिपदिक) + श्रुत (प्रातिपदिक) + तपस् (प्रातिपदिक) + शील (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; विशेषण (adjectival)

• तुल्य-स्वीय-अरि-मध्यमाḥ: with equals as friends and enemies (balanced toward both)
• तुल्य-स्वीय-अरि-मध्यमाḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तुल्य (प्रातिपदिक) + स्वीय (प्रातिपदिक) + अरि (प्रातिपदिक) + मध्यम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; विशेषण

• अपि: also/even
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (particle), ‘also/even’

• चक्रुः: they did/made
• चक्रुः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन

• प्रवचनम्: a discourse/recitation
• प्रवचनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रवचन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• एकम्: one/single
• एकम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying प्रवचनम्)

• शुश्रूषवः: eager to listen/attend
• शुश्रूषवः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुश्रूषु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; इच्छार्थक-विशेषण (desiderative sense: ‘desirous to listen/serve’)

• अपरे: others
• अपरे: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अपर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; सर्वनाम-प्राय (pronominal adjective used substantively)

Characters & Entities

• Personified Vedas (Śrutayaḥ)
• Nārāyaṇa / Bhagavān (implied)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the qualities of sincere spiritual seekers?

This verse highlights equality in learning, austerity and character, and an even-minded attitude toward friends and opponents—paired with either teaching in harmony or hearing with a service mood.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī describe some as speakers and others as eager listeners?

He is depicting an ideal spiritual assembly: some articulate the unified conclusion of dharma and devotion, while others practice śravaṇa with humility and readiness to serve, which completes genuine transmission of Vedic wisdom.

Practical application of even-minded hearing and speaking in modern life?

Cultivate respectful dialogue, avoid partisan hostility, and prioritize learning through attentive listening; share spiritual insights only to unify and uplift, not to win arguments.