Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 3

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

Devanagari script

न तथा तप्यते विद्ध: पुमान् बाणैस्तु मर्मगै: । यथा तुदन्ति मर्मस्था ह्यसतां परुषेषव: ॥ ३ ॥

Transliteration

na tathā tapyate viddhaḥ pumān bāṇais tu marma-gaiḥ yathā tudanti marma-sthā hy asatāṁ paruṣeṣavaḥ

Translation

Sharp arrows that pierce the chest and reach the heart do not cause as much suffering as the arrows of harsh, insulting words spoken by uncivilized men, which lodge within the heart and keep tormenting it.

Synonyms

• na: not
• na: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: Negation particle (निषेध-निपात)

• tathā: so/that much
• tathā: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (क्रियाविशेषण)

• tapyate: is pained
• tapyate: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: tap (धातु)
• Form: Present (लट्), 3rd person, Singular, Ātmanepada; passive-like sense 'is pained/burns'

• viddhaḥ: pierced
• viddhaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vyadh (धातु) + viddha (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; past passive participle (क्त)

• pumān: a man
• pumān: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: puman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• bāṇaiḥ: by arrows
• bāṇaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bāṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural

• tu: but
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction/particle (निपात) 'but'

• marma-gaiḥ: reaching vital points
• marma-gaiḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: marma + ga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural; तत्पुरुष: 'going to/vital-spot-reaching' qualifying bāṇaiḥ

• yathā: as
• yathā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yathā (अव्यय)
• Form: Comparative adverb (यथार्थे अव्यय) 'as/just as'

• tudanti: pierce/torment
• tudanti: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: tud (धातु)
• Form: Present (लट्), 3rd person, Plural, Parasmaipada

• marma-sthāḥ: lodged in vital points
• marma-sthāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: marma + stha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural; तत्पुरुष: 'situated in the vital spot' qualifying 'paruṣeṣavaḥ'

• hi: indeed
• hi: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात)

• asatām: of the wicked
• asatām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural

• paruṣa-iṣavaḥ: harsh arrows
• paruṣa-iṣavaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: paruṣa + iṣu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural; कर्मधारय: 'harsh arrows' (metaphor for harsh words)

Characters & Entities

• Kṛṣṇa
• Uddhava

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about harsh speech and its effects?

This verse teaches that cruel words from wicked people can wound the heart more deeply than physical arrows, so one should be careful in speech and tolerant when criticized.

Why did Krishna say this to Uddhava in Canto 11?

In the Uddhava-gītā teachings, Kṛṣṇa instructs Uddhava on renunciation and inner steadiness; here He highlights how verbal cruelty pierces the heart, urging equanimity and spiritual resilience.

How can I apply this shloka in modern life when facing insults or online criticism?

Recognize that words can trigger deep inner pain; practice restraint in replying, remember the temporary nature of praise/blame, and anchor the mind in bhakti so criticism does not disturb your inner devotion.