Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 4

Avadhūta’s Teachers: Python, Ocean, Moth, Bee, Elephant, Deer, Fish—and Piṅgalā’s Song of Detachment

Devanagari script

ओज:सहोबलयुतं बिभ्रद् देहमकर्मकम् । शयानो वीतनिद्रश्च नेहेतेन्द्रियवानपि ॥ ४ ॥

Transliteration

ojaḥ-saho-bala-yutaṁ bibhrad deham akarmakam śayāno vīta-nidraś ca nehetendriyavān api

Translation

Ein Heiliger soll friedvoll bleiben und materiell untätig sein, den Körper ohne großen Aufwand erhalten. Obwohl er volle Kraft der Sinne, des Geistes und des Leibes besitzt, wird er nicht um weltlichen Gewinn willen aktiv, sondern bleibt stets wachsam für sein wahres geistiges Wohl.

Synonyms

• ojas: vigor, vital energy
• ojas: विशेष्य-सम्बन्ध (qualifier within compound)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ojas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (neuter, nominative/accusative singular); समाहार/द्रव्यवाचक

• sahas: strength, endurance
• sahas: विशेष्य-सम्बन्ध (qualifier within compound)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sahas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (neuter, nominative/accusative singular)

• bala: power
• bala: विशेष्य-सम्बन्ध (qualifier within compound)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (neuter, nominative/accusative singular)

• yutam: endowed with vigor, strength, and power
• yutam: कर्म-विशेषण (object-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: yuta (कृदन्त; √yuj युज् (धातु) + क्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle) ‘युक्त’ = endowed/possessed; समास: ojas-sahas-bala-yuta (तत्पुरुष, ‘ojas/sahas/bala-युक्त’)

• bibhrat: bearing, carrying
• bibhrat: कर्ता (agent/subject)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √bhṛ भृ (धातु) (शतृ-प्रत्यय)
• Form: वर्तमानकाले कृदन्त (present active participle), परस्मैपदी; प्रथमा, एकवचन, पुंलिङ्ग (agreeing with implied subject)

• deham: body
• deham: कर्म (object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन (masculine, accusative singular)

• akarmakam: inactive, without action
• akarmakam: कर्म-विशेषण (object-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: a-karmaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; नञ्-समास/कर्मधारय: a- + karmaka (‘कर्मरहित/निष्क्रिय’)

• śayānaḥ: lying down
• śayānaḥ: कर्ता (agent/subject)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √śī शि/शी (धातु) (कृदन्त; शानच्)
• Form: वर्तमानकाले कृदन्त (present middle participle), आत्मनेपदी; प्रथमा, एकवचन, पुंलिङ्ग

• vīta-nidraḥ: free from sleep, sleepless
• vīta-nidraḥ: कर्ता-विशेषण (subject-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vīta (कृदन्त; √vī/vi वि (धातु) + क्त) + nidrā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समास: vīta-nidrā (तत्पुरुष: ‘निद्रा-विगत/निद्रारहित’)

• ca: and
• ca: समुच्चय (connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• na: not
• na: निषेध (negation)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक अव्यय (negation particle)

• īhate: strives, acts
• īhate: क्रिया (verbal action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √īh ईह् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (present), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद (he strives/acts)

• indriyavān: possessing senses
• indriyavān: कर्ता-विशेषण (subject-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: indriya (प्रातिपदिक) + -vant (प्रत्यय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; वन्त-प्रत्ययान्त विशेषण (possessing senses)

• api: even, though
• api: सम्बन्ध/न्यूनाधिक्य (particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: अपि—सम्भावना/अपवाद/अपि-शब्द (particle: even/though)

Purport

The word vīta-nidraḥ in this verse is very significant. Nidrā means “sleep” or “ignorance,” and vīta means “freed from.” In other words, a transcendentalist should always be awake to his eternal relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead and should carefully cultivate Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Being confident of his relationship with the Lord, he should not endeavor for his personal maintenance, knowing that the Lord is protecting him in all respects. Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura states that the example of the python is given so that one will not uselessly waste his time in bodily maintenance.

Characters & Entities

• Avadhūta Brāhmaṇa

FAQs

What does Srimad Bhagavatam say about controlling the senses while still living in a body?

This verse describes a realized person who still possesses senses but does not chase sense-objects; mastery is shown by non-engagement rather than by destroying the senses.

Why is the Avadhūta described as 'akarmaka' (without worldly action) in Canto 11?

Because he has risen beyond fruitive work and ego-driven endeavor; his body is maintained, yet he does not act for material outcomes, illustrating renunciation and non-doership.

Practical application of this teaching in modern life?

Keep the senses, but reduce compulsive engagement: simplify habits, avoid unnecessary stimulation, and redirect attention to sādhana—hearing, chanting, and mindful living.