Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 5
Avadhūta’s Further Teachers: Detachment, Solitude, One-Pointed Meditation, and the Lord as Āśraya
क्वचित् कुमारी त्वात्मानं वृणानान् गृहमागतान् । स्वयं तानर्हयामास क्वापि यातेषु बन्धुषु ॥ ५ ॥
kvacit kumārī tv ātmānaṁ vṛṇānān gṛham āgatān svayaṁ tān arhayām āsa kvāpi yāteṣu bandhuṣu
Einst war ein heiratsfähiges Mädchen allein im Haus, weil ihre Eltern und Verwandten an jenem Tag anderswohin gegangen waren. Da kamen einige Männer, die sie zur Frau begehren wollten. Sie empfing sie mit gebührender Ehrerbietung und Gastfreundschaft.
FAQs
It introduces an example used by the Avadhūta to teach practical wisdom—how one should act properly and responsibly even when alone, and how everyday situations can become sources of spiritual instruction.
Śrī Avadhūta (Dattātreya) is speaking to King Yadu while explaining the teachings he learned from various “gurus” encountered in ordinary life.
Do your duty with dignity and courtesy even without support from others—take personal responsibility, remain composed, and treat guests or stakeholders respectfully.