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Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 11

Nārada’s Instructions: Śrāddha, True Dharma, Contentment, Yoga, and Devotion-Centered Renunciation

तस्माद्दैवोपपन्नेन मुन्यन्नेनापि धर्मवित् । सन्तुष्टोऽहरह: कुर्यान्नित्यनैमित्तिकी: क्रिया: ॥ ११ ॥

tasmād daivopapannena muny-annenāpi dharmavit santuṣṭo ’har ahaḥ kuryān nitya-naimittikīḥ kriyāḥ

Ainsi, celui qui connaît le dharma, satisfait de la nourriture que la grâce du Seigneur lui procure aisément —fût-ce la simple nourriture d’un muni—, doit accomplir chaque jour, avec joie, les rites quotidiens et ceux des occasions.

तस्मात्therefore
तस्मात्:
Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
Formतस्मात्-प्रयोगः (ablatival adverb) = ‘therefore/from that’; निपातवत्
दैवोपपन्नेनwith food obtained by providence
दैवोपपन्नेन:
Karana (करण)
TypeAdjective
Rootदैव + उपपन्न (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त from √पद्/पद् with उप- ‘to be obtained’)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifying अन्नेन)
मुन्यन्नेनwith a sage’s food (simple alms/forest fare)
मुन्यन्नेन:
Karana (करण)
TypeNoun
Rootमुनि + अन्न (प्रातिपदिक)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन
अपिeven/also
अपि:
Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootअपि (अव्यय)
Formनिपात (particle), समुच्चय/अपि-भाव (also/even)
धर्मवित्one who knows dharma
धर्मवित्:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootधर्म + विद् (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विद् = ‘knower’ (agent-noun)
सन्तुष्टःcontent
सन्तुष्टः:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeAdjective
Rootसन्तुष्ट (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त from √तुष् ‘to be satisfied’)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; भूतकृदन्त (past participle) used adjectivally; विशेषणम् (qualifying धर्मवित्)
अहर्day by day
अहर्:
Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootअहर् (प्रातिपदिक)
Formअव्यय-प्रयोगः (adverbial)
अहःevery day
अहः:
Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootअहन्/अहः (प्रातिपदिक)
Formअव्यय-प्रयोगः; अहरहः = ‘every day’ (reduplication)
कुर्यात्should perform
कुर्यात्:
Kriya (क्रिया)
TypeVerb
Rootकृ (धातु)
Formविधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्
नित्यनैमित्तिकीःdaily and occasional
नित्यनैमित्तिकीः:
Karma (कर्म)
TypeAdjective
Rootनित्य + नैमित्तिक (प्रातिपदिक)
Formस्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifying क्रियाः); द्वन्द्वः = नित्य-च-नैमित्तिक-च
क्रियाःduties/rites
क्रियाः:
Karma (कर्म)
TypeNoun
Rootक्रिया (प्रातिपदिक)
Formस्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन

The word dharmavit, meaning “one who knows the actual purpose of religion,” is very significant. As explained in Bhagavad-gītā (18.66) , sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja: becoming Kṛṣṇa conscious is the topmost stage in understanding of religious principles. One who reaches this stage performs the arcanā process in devotional service. Anyone, whether a gṛhastha or a sannyāsī, can keep small Deities of the Lord suitably packed or, if possible, installed, and thus worship the Deities of Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa, Sītā-Rāma, Lakṣmī-Nārāyaṇa, Lord Jagannātha or Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu by offering food prepared in ghee and then offering the sanctified prasāda to the forefathers, demigods and other living entities as a matter of routine daily work. All the centers of our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement have Deity worship programs very nicely going on in which food is offered to the Deity and distributed to the first-class brāhmaṇas and Vaiṣṇavas and even to the people in general. This performance of sacrifice brings complete satisfaction. The members of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement engage daily in such transcendental activities. Thus in our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement there is no question at all of killing animals.

P
Prahlāda Mahārāja

FAQs

This verse teaches that a dharma-knower should be satisfied with food obtained without excessive endeavor—accepting even very simple fare—while continuing steady spiritual discipline.

In his instructions on civilized life and varnashrama, Prahlāda explains that detachment does not mean negligence; one should remain content and still perform daily and occasional prescribed duties as part of dharma.

Live simply, reduce anxious over-striving for luxury, and keep consistent daily spiritual practices; also honor occasional responsibilities and sacred observances without hypocrisy or greed.