Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 17

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

Devanagari script

अर्थस्य साधने सिद्धे उत्कर्षे रक्षणे व्यये । नाशोपभोग आयासस्‍‍‍‍‍त्रासश्चिन्ता भ्रमो नृणाम् ॥ १७ ॥

Transliteration

arthasya sādhane siddhe utkarṣe rakṣaṇe vyaye nāśopabhoga āyāsas trāsaś cintā bhramo nṛṇām

Translation

Beim Erwerben, Erlangen, Mehren, Schützen, Ausgeben, Verlieren und Genießen von Reichtum erfahren Menschen Mühsal, Angst, Sorge und Verblendung.

Synonyms

• अर्थस्य: of wealth
• अर्थस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (6th/Genitive), एकवचन

• साधने: in acquiring/means (of obtaining)
• साधने: Adhikarana (अधिकरणम्)
• Type: Noun
• Root: साधन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• सिद्धे: in success (attainment)
• सिद्धे: Adhikarana (अधिकरणम्)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सिद्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• उत्कर्षे: in increase/prosperity
• उत्कर्षे: Adhikarana (अधिकरणम्)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उत्कर्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• रक्षणे: in guarding/protecting
• रक्षणे: Adhikarana (अधिकरणम्)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• व्यये: in expenditure
• व्यये: Adhikarana (अधिकरणम्)
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्यय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• नाश-उपभोगः: loss and enjoyment
• नाश-उपभोगः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नाश (प्रातिपदिक) + उपभोग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वन्द्व-समास (इतरेतर: नाशः च उपभोगः च), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), एकवचन (समाहार/collective sense)

• आयासः: toil
• आयासः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आयास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• त्रासः: fear
• त्रासः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• चिन्ता: anxiety
• चिन्ता: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चिन्ता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• भ्रमः: delusion/confusion
• भ्रमः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भ्रम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• नृणाम्: of men
• नृणाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (6th/Genitive), बहुवचन

Characters & Entities

• Avadhūta-brāhmaṇa
• King Yadu

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about wealth causing anxiety?

This verse explains that wealth brings distress in acquisition, increase, protection, spending, loss, and even enjoyment—resulting in fatigue, fear, anxiety, and delusion.

Why did the Avadhuta-brāhmaṇa say this to King Yadu?

King Yadu questioned the Avadhūta’s inner peace; the Avadhūta taught that detachment from wealth and its endless burdens is a key reason for genuine tranquility.

Practical application of detachment from money in modern life?

Use wealth as a tool for dharma and service, keep simple needs, avoid obsessive accumulation, and reduce fear by remembering that peace depends on inner devotion—not possessions.