Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 7
The Song of the Avantī Brāhmaṇa (Avanti-brāhmaṇa-gītā): Mind as the Root of Suffering and Equanimity Amid Insult
ज्ञातयोऽतिथयस्तस्य वाङ्मात्रेणापि नार्चिता: । शून्यावसथ आत्मापि काले कामैरनर्चित: ॥ ७ ॥
jñātayo ’tithayas tasya vāṅ-mātreṇāpi nārcitāḥ śūnyāvasatha ātmāpi kāle kāmair anarcitaḥ
In seinem Haus, frei von Frömmigkeit und rechtmäßiger Freude, wurden weder Verwandte noch Gäste auch nur mit Worten geehrt. Nicht einmal seinem eigenen Körper gestattete er zur passenden Zeit die nötige Befriedigung.
FAQs
This verse criticizes a degraded mentality where even guests and relatives are not respected even by words, implying that neglect of atithi-sevā is a sign of spiritual and social decline.
Śukadeva conveys the Avadhūta’s instruction to King Yadu, showing how material desire can erode dharma—starting with basic courtesy and ending in inner emptiness and self-neglect.
Practice simple respect—kind speech, gratitude, and hospitality—while also watching how unchecked desires make one neglect relationships, duties, and even self-care.