Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 26

Vāmanadeva Praises Bali; the Measure of Three Steps; Śukrācārya Warns Against the Gift

Devanagari script

यद‍ृच्छालाभतुष्टस्य तेजो विप्रस्य वर्धते । तत् प्रशाम्यत्यसन्तोषादम्भसेवाशुशुक्षणि: ॥ २६ ॥

Transliteration

yadṛcchā-lābha-tuṣṭasya tejo viprasya vardhate tat praśāmyaty asantoṣād ambhasevāśuśukṣaṇiḥ

Translation

البرهمن الذي يرضى بما يناله قَدَرًا يزداد تَيجَسُه، أي نوره وقوته الروحية؛ أمّا غير الراضي فتخبو قوته كما تخمد النار حين يُرشّ عليها الماء.

Synonyms

• यदृच्छा-लाभ-तुष्टस्य: of one satisfied with chance gain
• यदृच्छा-लाभ-तुष्टस्य: सम्बन्ध (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: यदृच्छा (प्रातिपदिक) + लाभ (प्रातिपदिक) + तुष्ट (कृदन्त; तुष् धातु + क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/सम्बन्ध), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: ‘यदृच्छालाभेन तुष्ट’ = satisfied with chance gain

• तेजः: splendor/energy
• तेजः: कर्ता (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तेजस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/कर्ता), एकवचन

• विप्रस्य: of the brāhmaṇa
• विप्रस्य: सम्बन्ध (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विप्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/सम्बन्ध), एकवचन

• वर्धते: increases
• वर्धते: क्रिया (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वृध् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• तत्: that (splendor)
• तत्: कर्ता (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; demonstrative pronoun referring to ‘तेजः’

• प्रशाम्यति: subsides/is pacified
• प्रशाम्यति: क्रिया (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-शम् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• असन्तोषात्: from discontent
• असन्तोषात्: अपादान (Ablative/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: असन्तोष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/अपादान), एकवचन

• अम्भः-सेवा-आशु-शुक्षणिः: (becomes) quickly withering due to indulgence in water (luxury)
• अम्भः-सेवा-आशु-शुक्षणिः: विधेय (Predicate nominative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अम्भस् (प्रातिपदिक) + सेवा (प्रातिपदिक) + आशु (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक) + शुक्षणि (प्रातिपदिक; ‘drying up/withering’)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/कर्ता), एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि: ‘अम्भःसेवया आशु शुक्षणिः यस्य’ = one whose (tejas) quickly withers due to service of water; used as predicate epithet (implied for तेजः/विप्रः contextually)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about contentment (santoṣa)?

This verse teaches that a brāhmaṇa’s tejas (spiritual brilliance) grows when he is content with whatever comes naturally, without anxious striving.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī compare dissatisfaction to pouring water on fire?

Because dissatisfaction repeatedly disrupts austerity, peace, and clarity—just as water quickly extinguishes a burning fire—thereby weakening one’s spiritual strength.

How can I apply this teaching in modern life without becoming passive?

Do your duty steadily, but reduce greed and complaint: accept outcomes with gratitude, keep needs simple, and protect inner peace—this preserves spiritual energy and focus.