Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 12
The Song of the Avantī Brāhmaṇa (Avanti-brāhmaṇa-gītā): Mind as the Root of Suffering and Equanimity Amid Insult
स एवं द्रविणे नष्टे धर्मकामविवर्जित: । उपेक्षितश्च स्वजनैश्चिन्तामाप दुरत्ययाम् ॥ १२ ॥
sa evaṁ draviṇe naṣṭe dharma-kāma-vivarjitaḥ upekṣitaś ca sva-janaiś cintām āpa duratyayām
Finalement, lorsque ses biens furent entièrement perdus, lui qui ne s’était jamais adonné ni au dharma ni à une jouissance légitime fut délaissé par les siens; il sombra alors dans une angoisse insupportable.
FAQs
This verse explains that when one’s wealth is destroyed and one loses connection to dharma, even relatives may neglect him, leading to overwhelming anxiety—highlighting the need to ground life in spiritual values rather than possessions.
The verse depicts how material dependence can erode both righteous living (dharma) and balanced enjoyment (kāma); when wealth disappears, the person’s former supports collapse, revealing inner emptiness and fear.
Do not build identity and security solely on money or social approval; cultivate dharma, devotion, and inner discipline so that reversals like financial loss or social neglect do not produce crippling anxiety.