Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 53
The Song of the Avantī Brāhmaṇa (Avanti-brāhmaṇa-gītā): Mind as the Root of Suffering and Equanimity Amid Insult
ग्रहानिमित्तं सुखदु:खयोश्चेत् किमात्मनोऽजस्य जनस्य ते वै । ग्रहैर्ग्रहस्यैववदन्तिपीडां क्रुध्येत कस्मैपुरुषस्ततोऽन्य: ॥ ५३ ॥
grahā nimittaṁ sukha-duḥkhayoś cet kim ātmano ’jasya janasya te vai grahair grahasyaiva vadanti pīḍāṁ krudhyeta kasmai puruṣas tato ’nyaḥ
जर ग्रहच सुख-दुःखाचे तात्काळ कारण आहेत असे मानले, तर अज, नित्य आत्म्याचा त्यांच्याशी संबंध काय? ग्रहांचा प्रभाव जन्मलेल्या वस्तूंवरच होतो. शिवाय ज्योतिषीही सांगतात की ग्रह एकमेकांनाच पीडा देतात. म्हणून ग्रह व देहापेक्षा भिन्न असलेला जीव कोणावर राग काढावा?
FAQs
This verse says that even if one attributes happiness and distress to planetary influence, such effects pertain to the material body-mind, not to the unborn Self; therefore one should not fall into anger or blame.
King Yadu approached the Avadhuta to learn the secret of his inner freedom; Dattatreya teaches him detachment by showing that real identity is the Self, untouched by external causes like planets.
When facing stress or misfortune, avoid blaming fate or others; focus on steady spiritual identity, regulate the mind, and respond with clarity and devotion rather than anger.