Shloka 18

Bhakti Yoga: The Three Modes of Devotion, Non-Envy, and Time as the Lord

Devanagari script

आध्यात्मिकानुश्रवणान्नामसङ्कीर्तनाच्च मे । आर्जवेनार्यसङ्गेन निरहङ्‍‌क्रियया तथा ॥ १८ ॥

Transliteration

ādhyātmikānuśravaṇān nāma-saṅkīrtanāc ca me ārjavenārya-saṅgena nirahaṅkriyayā tathā

Translation

A devotee should always hear spiritual topics and spend his time in chanting the Lord’s holy name in saṅkīrtana. His conduct should be straightforward and simple; free from envy and friendly to all, yet he should avoid the company of those who are not spiritually advanced.

Synonyms

• आध्यात्मिक-अनुश्रवणात्: from spiritual hearing (of teachings)
• आध्यात्मिक-अनुश्रवणात्: Apadana (अपादानम्/Source)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आध्यात्मिक (प्रातिपदिक) + अनुश्रवण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (अपादान), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (आध्यात्मिकम् अनुश्रवणम्); Ablative singular (from/by means of spiritual hearing)

• नाम-सङ्कीर्तनात्: from chanting the (holy) name
• नाम-सङ्कीर्तनात्: Apadana (अपादानम्/Source)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नामन् (प्रातिपदिक) + सङ्कीर्तन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (अपादान), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (नाम्नः सङ्कीर्तनम्); Ablative singular (from chanting of the name)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• मे: of me / my
• मे: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-विभक्ति (सम्बन्ध), एकवचन; Genitive singular (of me/my)

• आर्जवेन: by sincerity/straightforwardness
• आर्जवेन: Karana (करणम्/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आर्जव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), एकवचन; Instrumental singular (with straightforwardness)

• आर्य-सङ्गेन: by association with the noble
• आर्य-सङ्गेन: Karana (करणम्/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आर्य (प्रातिपदिक) + सङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (आर्याणां सङ्गः); Instrumental singular (by association with the noble)

• निरहङ्क्रियया: by action free of ego
• निरहङ्क्रियया: Karana (करणम्/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निरहङ्क्रिया (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), एकवचन; उपसर्ग-तत्पुरुषः (निर्+अहङ्क्रिया = अहङ्कार-रहित-क्रिया); Instrumental singular (by egoless action)

• तथा: likewise/also
• तथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकार-अव्यय (adverb: in that manner/also)

Purport

In order to advance in spiritual understanding, one has to hear from authentic sources about spiritual knowledge. One can understand the reality of spiritual life by following strict regulative principles and by controlling the senses. To have control it is necessary that one be nonviolent and truthful, refrain from stealing, abstain from sex life and possess only that which is absolutely necessary for keeping the body and soul together. One should not eat more than necessary, he should not collect more paraphernalia than necessary, he should not talk unnecessarily with common men, and he should not follow the rules and regulations without purpose. He should follow the rules and regulations so that he may actually make advancement.

Characters & Entities

• Kapila

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about nama-sankirtana (chanting the holy name)?

This verse lists chanting the Lord’s names (nāma-saṅkīrtana) as a direct practice that advances one in devotion to the Lord.

Why does Lord Kapila emphasize sadhu-sanga (association with saintly persons) in Canto 3?

In His bhakti teachings, Kapila explains that association with the noble (ārya-saṅga) supports sincere hearing, chanting, and ego-free service, which together nourish devotion.

How can 'acting without false ego' (nirahaṅ-kriyā) be practiced in modern life?

Offer your work and its results to God, avoid craving credit, and serve with the attitude of being an instrument—doing your duty sincerely without the pride of being the independent doer.