Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 9

The Song of the Avantī Brāhmaṇa (Avanti-brāhmaṇa-gītā): Mind as the Root of Suffering and Equanimity Amid Insult

Devanagari script

तस्यैवं यक्षवित्तस्य च्युतस्योभयलोकत: । धर्मकामविहीनस्य चुक्रुधु: पञ्चभागिन: ॥ ९ ॥

Transliteration

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.

Synonyms

• तस्य: of him
• तस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे षष्ठी एकवचनम्

• एवम्: thus
• एवम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्ययम्; प्रकारवाचक (adverb: thus/in this way)

• यक्षवित्तस्य: of (one having) yakṣa-like wealth
• यक्षवित्तस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यक्ष (प्रातिपदिक) + वित्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे षष्ठी एकवचनम्; ‘यक्षाणां वित्तम्’ = treasure like that of Yakṣas

• च्युतस्य: of the fallen/deprived
• च्युतस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: च्यु (धातु) → च्युत (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: भूतकृदन्तः; पुंलिङ्गे षष्ठी एकवचनम्; तस्य इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• उभयलोकतः: from both worlds
• उभयलोकतः: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: उभय (प्रातिपदिक) + लोक (प्रातिपदिक) + तस् (तसिल्-प्रत्यय)
• Form: तसिलन्त-अव्ययम् (ablatival adverb); ‘उभययोः लोकयोः’ = from both worlds

• धर्मकामविहीनस्य: of one devoid of dharma and pleasure
• धर्मकामविहीनस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक) + काम (प्रातिपदिक) + विहीन (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे षष्ठी एकवचनम्; ‘धर्मेण कामेन च विहीनः’ = devoid of dharma and kāma

• चुक्रुधुः: became angry
• चुक्रुधुः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: क्रुध् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect); प्रथमपुरुषः बहुवचनम्; परस्मैपदम्

• पञ्चभागिनः: the five claimants to shares
• पञ्चभागिनः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पञ्च (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + भागिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा बहुवचनम्; ‘पञ्च भागाः येषाम्’ (those entitled to five shares)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about hoarding wealth and losing dharma?

This verse teaches that wealth gained and held with strain can cause one to fall from benefit in both this world and the next when it destroys dharma and proper, righteous enjoyment.

Who are the 'five sharers' (pañca-bhāginaḥ) mentioned in Bhagavatam 11.23.9?

They refer to the five parties considered entitled to a person’s wealth—commonly understood in dharma-discourse as dependents/relations and rightful claimants (such as family and others with legitimate share). The point is that even those around him turned hostile due to his miserliness and loss of dharma.

How can this shloka be applied in modern life for spiritual progress?

Earn honestly, share responsibly, and keep wealth subordinate to dharma and devotion; otherwise anxiety, conflict, and spiritual loss arise even amid material accumulation.