Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 16
The Song of the Avantī Brāhmaṇa (Avanti-brāhmaṇa-gītā): Mind as the Root of Suffering and Equanimity Amid Insult
यशो यशस्विनां शुद्धं श्लाघ्या ये गुणिनां गुणा: । लोभ: स्वल्पोऽपि तान् हन्ति श्वित्रो रूपमिवेप्सितम् ॥ १६ ॥
yaśo yaśasvināṁ śuddhaṁ ślāghyā ye guṇināṁ guṇāḥ lobhaḥ sv-alpo ’pi tān hanti śvitro rūpam ivepsitam
Kemasyhuran yang suci milik orang ternama dan sifat terpuji pada orang berbudi—walau sedikit ketamakan pun memusnahkannya, seperti tompok kusta putih merosakkan kecantikan.
FAQs
This verse warns that even a small amount of greed can ruin one’s good qualities and reputation—like a blemish that spoils beauty—so a seeker must uproot greed to protect dharma and spiritual progress.
In the Uddhava Gītā portion of Canto 11, Kṛṣṇa instructs Uddhava on renunciation and inner purity; this verse highlights greed as a subtle but powerful obstacle that can undo genuine virtue.
Guard against “small” compromises driven by greed—money, status, or recognition—because they can erode character; practice contentment, honest earning, and offering results to God to keep one’s conduct and name clean.