Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 11
The Forest of Material Existence (Saṁsāra-vana) and the Delivering Path of Bharata’s Teachings
क्वचिदुलूकझिल्लीस्वनवदतिपरुषरभसाटोपं प्रत्यक्षं परोक्षं वा रिपुराजकुलनिर्भर्त्सितेनातिव्यथितकर्णमूलहृदय: ॥ ११ ॥
kvacid ulūka-jhillī-svanavad ati-paruṣa-rabhasāṭopaṁ pratyakṣaṁ parokṣaṁ vā ripu-rāja-kula-nirbhartsitenāti-vyathita-karṇa-mūla-hṛdayaḥ.
ある時、敵や官吏の者たちが直接・間接に浴びせる荒々しく辛辣な言葉により、束縛された魂は深く苦しむ。そのとき耳の根と心はひどく沈む。その叱責は、梟やこおろぎの鳴き声のように耳障りである。
There are different types of enemies within this material world. The government chastises one due to not paying income taxes. Such criticism, direct or indirect, saddens one, and sometimes the conditioned soul tries to counteract that chastisement. Unfortunately, he cannot do anything.
FAQs
This verse explains that a conditioned soul in material life is tormented by harsh speech—open insults or hidden slander—especially from enemies and powerful people, which pierces the heart and increases inner distress.
He uses them as metaphors for cruel, noisy, and disturbing talk—words that agitate the mind and make one feel attacked, illustrating the misery found in worldly association.
By practicing tolerance, avoiding toxic association, and grounding one’s identity in service to Krishna rather than public approval—so praise and blame do not shake the heart.