Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 34

Chapter 19

Devanagari script

शौचं जपस् तपो होमः श्रद्धातिथ्यं मदर्चनम् ।

तीर्थाटनं परार्थेहा तुष्टिर् आचार्यसेवनम् ॥

Transliteration

śaucaṃ japas tapo homaḥ śraddhātithyaṃ mad-arcanam / tīrthāṭanaṃ parārthehā tuṣṭir ācārya-sevanam //

Translation

Reinheit, Mantra-Rezitation (japa), Askese, Feueropfer (homa), gläubige Gastfreundschaft und Verehrung Meiner; Pilgerfahrt zu heiligen Stätten, Einsatz zum Wohl anderer, Zufriedenheit und Dienst am spirituellen Lehrer—auch dies sind heilige Übungen.

Synonyms

• शौचम्: purity
• शौचम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शौच (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन

• जपः: recitation (japa)
• जपः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; (जपस् → जपः)

• तपः: austerity
• तपः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तपस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; (तपो → तपः)

• होमः: fire-offering
• होमः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: होम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन

• श्रद्धातिथ्यम्: faith and hospitality
• श्रद्धातिथ्यम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्रद्धा + अतिथ्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व (श्रद्धा च अतिथ्यं च)

• मत्-अर्चनम्: worship of me
• मत्-अर्चनम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मत् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + अर्चन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (मम अर्चनम्)

• तीर्थाटनम्: pilgrimage/visiting holy places
• तीर्थाटनम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तीर्थ + अटन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (तीर्थेषु अटनम्)

• परार्थेहा: endeavor for others' good
• परार्थेहा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पर-अर्थ + ईहा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (परस्य अर्थः—हितम्; तदर्था ईहा)

• तुष्टिः: contentment
• तुष्टिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तुष्टि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; (तुष्टिर् → तुष्टिः)

• आचार्यसेवनम्: service to the teacher
• आचार्यसेवनम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आचार्य + सेवन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (आचार्यस्य सेवनम्)

Purport

After listing inner virtues, Śrī Kṛṣṇa now names concrete sādhana-like observances that shape daily life into devotion. Śauca is external and internal purity—habits, diet, thoughts, and intentions. Japa anchors the mind in the Lord’s names; tapaḥ means willingly accepting discipline for a higher purpose; and homa represents offering—transforming consumption into consecration. Śraddhā-atithyam highlights that genuine spirituality expresses itself through respect and care for others, especially guests and dependents. Mad-arcanam is the heart of the list: worship of Kṛṣṇa, by which all other practices become bhakti rather than mere piety. Tīrthāṭana can awaken remembrance and humility, while parārthehā (endeavor for others’ good) purifies selfishness and aligns one with compassion. Tuṣṭi (contentment) protects the practitioner from endless craving, and ācārya-sevanam safeguards the path through guidance, accountability, and the living transmission of devotion. The verse teaches balance: personal purity and discipline, worship and sacred culture, compassion and gratitude—together forming a sustainable devotional life, especially valuable amid Kali-yuga distraction.

Characters & Entities

• Śrī Kṛṣṇa
• Uddhava

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about japa (mantra chanting)?

In 11.19.34, Kṛṣṇa lists japa as a key spiritual practice that steadies the mind and supports devotion when done with faith and remembrance.

Why is service to the acharya emphasized in the Bhagavatam?

This verse includes ācārya-sevanam because guidance and humble service protect one from confusion and help devotion mature through authentic instruction.

What is a practical way to apply ‘śauca’ and ‘tuṣṭi’ today?

Keep habits clean and sattvic (śauca), and consciously limit wants while appreciating what supports your bhakti (tuṣṭi).