Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 38

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

Devanagari script

अहो एष महासारो धृतिमान् गिरिराडिव । मौनेन साधयत्यर्थं बकवद् द‍ृढनिश्चय: ॥ ३८ ॥ इत्येके विहसन्त्येनमेके दुर्वातयन्ति च । तं बबन्धुर्निरुरुधुर्यथा क्रीडनकं द्विजम् ॥ ३९ ॥

Transliteration

aho eṣa mahā-sāro dhṛtimān giri-rāḍ iva maunena sādhayaty arthaṁ baka-vad dṛḍha-niścayaḥ

Translation

وسخر بعضهم قائلين: «انظروا إلى هذا الحكيم ‘العظيم القوة’! ثابت كجبال الهيمالايا. بالصمت يسعى إلى غايته بعزمٍ كعزم البلشون.» وكان آخرون يطلقون عليه ريحًا كريهة، وأحيانًا كان بعضهم يقيّد ذلك البرهمن المولود مرتين بالسلاسل ويحبسه كحيوان أليف للّعب.

Synonyms

• aho: ah!, indeed!
• aho: Bhāva (भाव/expressive)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: aho (अव्यय)
• Form: Exclamatory particle (विस्मयादिबोधक अव्यय)

• eṣaḥ: this (man)
• eṣaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: etad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Sarvanāma, Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• mahā-sāraḥ: very steadfast/strong in essence
• mahā-sāraḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā + sāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; Karmadhāraya ‘great + essence/strength’

• dhṛtimān: patient, enduring
• dhṛtimān: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dhṛtimant (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; possessive suffix -mant (मतुप्)

• giri-rāṭ: the king of mountains
• giri-rāṭ: Upamāna (उपमान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: giri + rājan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; Tatpuruṣa ‘king of mountains’

• iva: like
• iva: Upamā (उपमा)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iva (अव्यय)
• Form: Comparative particle (उपमावाचक अव्यय)

• maunena: by silence
• maunena: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mauna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular

• sādhayati: accomplishes
• sādhayati: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sādh (धातु)
• Form: Laṭ (लट्, Present), Parasmaipada, 3rd Person, Singular

• artham: his purpose, goal
• artham: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: artha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• baka-vat: like a heron
• baka-vat: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: baka + vat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Taddhita -vat (वत्) forming indeclinable comparative/adverbial ‘like a crane/heron’

• dṛḍha-niścayaḥ: of firm determination
• dṛḍha-niścayaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dṛḍha + niścaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; Karmadhāraya ‘firm resolve’

Characters & Entities

• Avadhuta
• King Yadu

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the power of silence (mauna)?

This verse praises achieving one’s aim through silence—self-controlled restraint that protects one’s purpose and conserves inner strength.

Why does the Avadhuta compare determination to a mountain and silence to a heron (baka)?

The mountain image highlights unshakable steadiness, while the heron symbolizes quiet focus—remaining still and purposeful rather than scattered or reactive.

Practical application of mauna and dṛḍha-niścaya in modern life?

Reduce impulsive speech, stay calm under provocation, and keep firm commitment to your spiritual goal through disciplined daily practice.