Shloka 11
The Lord’s Apology to the Kumāras and the Fall of Jaya and Vijaya
ये ब्राह्मणान्मयि धिया क्षिपतोऽर्चयन्त- स्तुष्यद्धृद: स्मितसुधोक्षितपद्मवक्त्रा: । वाण्यानुरागकलयात्मजवद् गृणन्त: सम्बोधयन्त्यहमिवाहमुपाहृतस्तै: ॥ ११ ॥
ye brāhmaṇān mayi dhiyā kṣipato ’rcayantas tuṣyad-dhṛdaḥ smita-sudhokṣita-padma-vaktrāḥ vāṇyānurāga-kalayātmajavad gṛṇantaḥ sambodhayanty aham ivāham upāhṛtas taiḥ
Au contraire, ceux qui captivent Mon cœur sont ceux qui, tenant les brāhmaṇas pour Moi-même dans leur intelligence, les honorent même lorsqu’ils lancent des paroles dures. Le cœur réjoui, le visage de lotus éclairé par un sourire de nectar, ils les apaisent par des mots empreints d’amour, comme un fils calme un père courroucé; ainsi, c’est comme si Moi-même j’étais apaisé par eux.
It has been observed in many instances in the Vedic scriptures that when the brāhmaṇas or Vaiṣṇavas curse someone in an angry mood, the person who is cursed does not take it upon himself to treat the brāhmaṇas or Vaiṣṇavas in the same way. There are many examples of this. For instance, the sons of Kuvera, when cursed by the great sage Nārada, did not seek revenge in the same harsh way, but submitted. Here also, when Jaya and Vijaya were cursed by the four Kumāras, they did not become harsh towards them; rather, they submitted. That should be the way of treating brāhmaṇas and Vaiṣṇavas. One may sometimes be faced with a grievous situation created by a brāhmaṇa, but instead of meeting him with a similar mood, one should try to pacify him with a smiling face and mild treatment. Brāhmaṇas and Vaiṣṇavas should be accepted as earthly representatives of Nārāyaṇa. Nowadays some foolish persons have manufactured the term daridra-nārāyaṇa, indicating that the poor man should be accepted as the representative of Nārāyaṇa. But in Vedic literature we do not find that poor men should be treated as representatives of Nārāyaṇa. Of course, “those who are unprotected” are mentioned here, but the definition of this phrase is clear from the śāstras. The poor man should not be unprotected, but the brāhmaṇa should especially be treated as the representative of Nārāyaṇa and should be worshiped like Him. It is specifically said that to pacify the brāhmaṇas, one’s face should be lotuslike. A lotuslike face is exhibited when one is adorned with love and affection. In this respect, the example of the father’s being angry at the son and the son’s trying to pacify the father with smiling and sweet words is very appropriate.
FAQs
This verse says devoted brāhmaṇas fix their minds on the Lord, worship Him with heartfelt satisfaction, speak to Him affectionately, and offer Him gifts—addressing Him as if He is directly present.
In the Vaikuṇṭha setting, the Lord highlights intimate devotion: pure devotees relate to Him with deep affection (anurāga), making their worship personal and living rather than distant or merely ritual.
Practice mindful worship: remember the Lord daily, speak to Him in prayer with sincerity, offer simple items (food, flowers, service), and cultivate a warm, personal relationship grounded in respect and devotion.