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
Una vez, una joven en edad de casarse estaba sola en su casa, pues sus padres y parientes habían ido ese día a otro lugar. Entonces llegaron algunos hombres con el deseo de desposarla. Ella los recibió con la debida hospitalidad y honor.
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.