Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 16

Varṇāśrama-dharma as a Path to Bhakti

Yuga-dharma Origins, Universal Virtues, Brahmacarya and Gṛhastha Duties

Devanagari script

शमो दमस्तप: शौचं सन्तोष: क्षान्तिरार्जवम् । मद्भ‍‍क्तिश्च दया सत्यं ब्रह्मप्रकृतयस्त्विमा: ॥ १६ ॥

Transliteration

śamo damas tapaḥ śaucaṁ santoṣaḥ kṣāntir ārjavam mad-bhaktiś ca dayā satyaṁ brahma-prakṛtayas tv imāḥ

Translation

Friedvollsein, Selbstbeherrschung, Askese, Reinheit, Zufriedenheit, Duldsamkeit, schlichte Aufrichtigkeit, Hingabe an Mich, Barmherzigkeit und Wahrhaftigkeit—das sind die natürlichen Eigenschaften der Brāhmaṇas.

Synonyms

• शमः: tranquility
• शमः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject, item in list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• दमः: self-control
• दमः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject, item in list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• तपः: austerity
• तपः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject, item in list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तपस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• शौचम्: purity
• शौचम्: कर्ता (Karta/Subject, item in list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शौच (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• सन्तोषः: contentment
• सन्तोषः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject, item in list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सन्तोष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• क्षान्तिः: forbearance
• क्षान्तिः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject, item in list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षान्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• आर्जवम्: straightforwardness
• आर्जवम्: कर्ता (Karta/Subject, item in list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आर्जव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• मत्-भक्तिः: devotion to Me
• मत्-भक्तिः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject, item in list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मत् (अस्मद्-षष्ठी-एकवचन-रूप, pronominal base) + भक्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (षष्ठी) — ‘devotion to me’

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (Conjunction)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• दया: compassion
• दया: कर्ता (Karta/Subject, item in list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दया (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• सत्यम्: truthfulness
• सत्यम्: कर्ता (Karta/Subject, item in list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सत्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• ब्रह्म-प्रकृतयः: the brāhmaṇa’s qualities
• ब्रह्म-प्रकृतयः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन् (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रकृति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः — ‘the natures/qualities of a brāhmaṇa’

• तु: indeed
• तु: सम्बन्ध-बोधक (Discourse particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विरोध/विशेषार्थक (particle: ‘but/indeed’)

• इमाः: these
• इमाः: विशेष्य-निर्देश (Deictic/predicate demonstrative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; demonstrative pronoun

Characters & Entities

• Kṛṣṇa
• Uddhava

FAQs

What are the qualities of a brāhmaṇa according to Srimad Bhagavatam 11.17.16?

The verse lists peacefulness, sense control, austerity, cleanliness, contentment, tolerance, straightforwardness, devotion to Kṛṣṇa, compassion, and truthfulness as brāhmaṇa qualities.

Why does Kṛṣṇa describe brāhmaṇa qualities to Uddhava in Canto 11?

In the Uddhava-gītā teachings, Kṛṣṇa explains varṇāśrama-dharma and the inner virtues that support spiritual life, showing Uddhava the character traits that sustain knowledge and devotion.

How can I apply śama and dama (peace and self-control) in modern life?

Practice daily restraint of the senses, keep a clean and simple routine, speak truthfully, cultivate compassion, and anchor the mind in devotion to Kṛṣṇa—these habits gradually establish inner peace and self-mastery.