Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 1
The Song of the Avantī Brāhmaṇa (Avanti-brāhmaṇa-gītā): Mind as the Root of Suffering and Equanimity Amid Insult
श्रीबादरायणिरुवाच स एवमाशंसित उद्धवेन भागवतमुख्येन दाशार्हमुख्य: । सभाजयन् भृत्यवचो मुकुन्द- स्तमाबभाषे श्रवणीयवीर्य: ॥ १ ॥
śrī-bādarāyaṇir uvāca sa evam āśaṁsita uddhavena bhāgavata-mukhyena dāśārha-mukhyaḥ sabhājayan bhṛtya-vaco mukundas tam ābabhāṣe śravaṇīya-vīryaḥ
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Lord Mukunda, the chief of the Dāśārhas, having thus been respectfully requested by the best of His devotees, Śrī Uddhava, first acknowledged the fitness of his servant’s statements. Then the Lord, whose glorious exploits are most worthy of being heard, began to reply to him.
FAQs
It introduces Śukadeva’s narration: Uddhava, the foremost devotee, requests guidance, and Lord Kṛṣṇa (Mukunda) respectfully accepts His servant’s words and begins to speak.
Because Uddhava is described as “bhāgavata-mukhya,” a topmost devotee; the Lord delights in honoring the devotion and sincere inquiry of His servant.
Approach spiritual learning with humility and sincere questions like Uddhava, and value the act of respectfully listening (śravaṇa) to divine teachings as a path toward clarity and liberation.