Shloka 7

Uddhava Meets the Gopīs: Bhramara-gītā and Kṛṣṇa’s Message of Separation

Devanagari script

नि:स्वं त्यजन्ति गणिका अकल्पं नृपतिं प्रजा: । अधीतविद्या आचार्यमृत्विजो दत्तदक्षिणम् ॥ ७ ॥

Transliteration

niḥsvaṁ tyajanti gaṇikā akalpaṁ nṛpatiṁ prajāḥ adhīta-vidyā ācāryam ṛtvijo datta-dakṣiṇam

Translation

Kurtisanen verlassen den Mittellosen, Untertanen den unfähigen König, Schüler den Lehrer nach vollendeter Bildung, und Priester den Opferherrn, sobald sie die Dakṣiṇā empfangen haben.

Synonyms

• niḥsvam: a penniless man
• niḥsvam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: niḥsva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन

• tyajanti: they abandon
• tyajanti: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: tyaj (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन, परस्मैपद

• gaṇikāḥ: courtesans
• gaṇikāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gaṇikā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन

• akalpam: an unfit one
• akalpam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: a-kalpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन; नञ्-समास (unfit/incompetent)

• nṛpatim: a king
• nṛpatim: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nṛpati (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (nṛṇāṃ patiḥ = king)

• prajāḥ: subjects, people
• prajāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prajā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन

• adhīta-vidyāḥ: those who have studied (students)
• adhīta-vidyāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: adhīta + vidyā (प्रातिपदिक; adhi-√i + क्त, + vidyā)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन; बहुव्रीहि (adhītā vidyā yaiḥ = those who have studied learning)

• ācāryam: the teacher
• ācāryam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ācārya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन

• ṛtvijaḥ: priests
• ṛtvijaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ṛtvij (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन

• datta-dakṣiṇam: one who has been paid the fee
• datta-dakṣiṇam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: datta + dakṣiṇā (प्रातिपदिक; √dā + क्त, + dakṣiṇā)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि (dattā dakṣiṇā yasmin/yaḥ = one to whom fee has been given / one who has received fee)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about people abandoning others for self-interest?

This verse lists common examples—courtesans, citizens, students, and priests—showing how relationships based on utility end when the benefit ends, contrasting with the gopīs’ selfless devotion.

Why do the gopīs speak in such sharp comparisons about kings, teachers, and priests?

In intense separation (viraha), they express grief and indignation, using worldly analogies to suggest that Kṛṣṇa has left them as others leave when their purpose is fulfilled.

How can this verse be applied in modern life?

It cautions against transactional relationships and invites one to cultivate steadiness and sincerity—especially in spiritual life—so devotion and duty do not depend on convenience or reward.