Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 31

Kṛṣṇa’s Impending Departure; Uddhava’s Surrender; King Yadu and the Avadhūta’s Twenty-Four Gurus

Beginnings

Devanagari script

श्रीभगवानुवाच यदुनैवं महाभागो ब्रह्मण्येन सुमेधसा । पृष्ट: सभाजित: प्राह प्रश्रयावनतं द्विज: ॥ ३१ ॥

Transliteration

śrī-bhagavān uvāca yadunaivaṁ mahā-bhāgo brahmaṇyena su-medhasā pṛṣṭaḥ sabhājitaḥ prāha praśrayāvanataṁ dvijaḥ

Translation

Lord Kṛṣṇa continued: Intelligent King Yadu, ever respectful to the brāhmaṇas, thus questioned and honored the greatly fortunate brāhmaṇa. Pleased by the king’s humility, the dvija began to reply.

Synonyms

• श्री-भगवान्: the Blessed Lord
• श्री-भगवान्: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्री (प्रातिपदिक) + भगवान् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः—श्रीमान् भगवान्

• उवाच: said
• उवाच: क्रिया (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन

• यदुना: by Yadu
• यदुना: कर्ता (Kartā/Agent in passive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यदु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• एवम्: thus
• एवम्: सम्बन्ध (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम् (अव्यय)
• Form: रीति-अव्यय (adverb of manner)

• महाभागः: the greatly fortunate one
• महाभागः: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा (प्रातिपदिक) + भाग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः—महान् भागः यस्य (very fortunate)

• ब्रह्मण्येन: by the pious (devotee of Brahman)
• ब्रह्मण्येन: करण/सह (Instrument/Association)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ब्रह्मण्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘ब्रह्मण्य’ = ब्राह्मणप्रिय/धर्मनिष्ठ (devoted to Brahmins/Brahman)

• सु-मेधसा: by the very wise one
• सु-मेधसा: करण/सह (Instrument/Association)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सु (उपसर्ग/अव्यय) + मेधस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः—सु मेधा यस्य (very intelligent)

• पृष्टः: having been asked
• पृष्टः: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रच्छ् (धातु) → पृष्ट (कृदन्त, भूतकर्मणि)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (Past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; (द्विजः) इति विशेषणम्

• सभाजितः: having been honored
• सभाजितः: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम् + भाज् (धातु) → सभाजित (कृदन्त, भूतकर्मणि)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त, पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; (द्विजः) इति विशेषणम्

• प्राह: replied / said
• प्राह: क्रिया (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + अह्/ब्रू (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन

• प्रश्रय-अवनतम्: to (him) bowed with humility
• प्रश्रय-अवनतम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रश्रय (प्रातिपदिक) + अवनत (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—प्रश्रयेण अवनतम् इति तृतीया-तत्पुरुषः; (यदुना) इति विशेषणम्

• द्विजः: the brāhmaṇa
• द्विजः: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

Characters & Entities

• Yadu
• Dvija (Avadhūta Brāhmaṇa)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about learning through humble inquiry?

This verse highlights that true instruction is received when one respectfully approaches and honors a saintly teacher; Yadu’s humility and intelligent questioning prompt the brāhmaṇa to speak.

Why did the brāhmaṇa speak to Yadu in this passage?

Because Yadu, being devoted to dharma and respectful to brāhmaṇas, asked sincerely and honored him; the brāhmaṇa therefore responded to Yadu’s reverent, humble posture.

Practical application of humility in modern spiritual life according to this shloka?

Approach authentic teachers with respect, ask thoughtful questions, and maintain a teachable attitude—this invites deeper guidance and transforms learning into realization.