Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 5
The Song of the Avantī Brāhmaṇa (Avanti-brāhmaṇa-gītā): Mind as the Root of Suffering and Equanimity Amid Insult
केनचिद् भिक्षुणा गीतं परिभूतेन दुर्जनै: । स्मरता धृतियुक्तेन विपाकं निजकर्मणाम् ॥ ५ ॥
kenacid bhikṣuṇā gītaṁ paribhūtena durjanaiḥ smaratā dhṛti-yuktena vipākaṁ nija-karmaṇām
Einst wurde ein bestimmter bettelnder Entsagter von ruchlosen Menschen auf vielerlei Weise beleidigt. Doch standhaft erinnerte er sich daran, dass er die Frucht seines eigenen früheren Karmas erleidet.
Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura comments as follows. “Often those who give up the materialistic path and devote themselves to renunciation are attacked by impious persons. This analysis, however, is superficial, since the punishment is actually the cumulative result of one’s past karma. Some renunciants show lack of tolerance when presented with the remnants of their previous sins and thus are forced to enter again onto the path of impious life. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu therefore instructs that one should become as tolerant as a tree. If a neophyte on the path of devotional service to the Lord’s pure devotees is attacked by envious persons, he must accept it as a consequence of his previous fruitive activities. One should be intelligent and avoid future unhappiness by rejecting the ethic of an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. If one refuses to enter into enmity with envious men, they will automatically leave him alone.”
FAQs
This verse highlights the mendicant’s tolerance: he remains steady by remembering that present suffering can be the ripened reaction of his own past karma, and thus he does not become disturbed by others’ harsh behavior.
Śukadeva Gosvāmī narrates to Mahārāja Parīkṣit, introducing the ‘song of the mendicant’ to teach renunciation and inner steadiness—how a saintly person responds to humiliation without hatred.
When criticized or mistreated, pause and practice restraint; reflect that reactions come and go according to karma, respond without vengeance, and choose a dharmic, compassionate reply rather than escalating conflict.