Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 24

The Song of the Avantī Brāhmaṇa (Avanti-brāhmaṇa-gītā): Mind as the Root of Suffering and Equanimity Amid Insult

Devanagari script

देवर्षिपितृभूतानि ज्ञातीन् बन्धूंश्च भागिन: । असंविभज्य चात्मानं यक्षवित्त: पतत्यध: ॥ २४ ॥

Transliteration

devarṣi-pitṛ-bhūtāni jñātīn bandhūṁś ca bhāginaḥ asaṁvibhajya cātmānaṁ yakṣa-vittaḥ pataty adhaḥ

Translation

Quem não distribui sua riqueza aos deuses, sábios, antepassados e seres, bem como a parentes, amigos e demais coerdeiros, e nem a si mesmo, guarda-a como um Yakṣa e cai em degradação.

Synonyms

• देवर्षि: divine sages
• देवर्षि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देवर्षि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masc.), द्वितीया (Acc. 2), बहुवचन (plural) (component in compound)

• पितृ: forefathers
• पितृ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पितृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masc.), द्वितीया (Acc. 2), बहुवचन (plural) (component in compound)

• भूतानि: living beings
• भूतानि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neut.), द्वितीया (Acc. 2), बहुवचन (plural); (as one member of list)

• ज्ञातीन्: kinsmen
• ज्ञातीन्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ज्ञाति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masc.), द्वितीया (Acc. 2), बहुवचन (plural)

• बन्धून्: relatives/friends
• बन्धून्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बन्धु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masc.), द्वितीया (Acc. 2), बहुवचन (plural)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (conjunction)

• भागिनः: shareholders/claimants
• भागिनः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भागिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masc.), द्वितीया (Acc. 2), बहुवचन (plural); 'भाग-युक्ताः/भाग-भागिनः' (those entitled to a share)

• असंविभज्य: not distributing
• असंविभज्य: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अन् + सम् + विभज् (धातु) + ल्यप्
• Form: अव्ययकृदन्त; ल्यबन्त (gerund), 'without distributing'

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (conjunction)

• आत्मानम्: oneself
• आत्मानम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masc.), द्वितीया (Acc. 2), एकवचन (sing.)

• यक्ष: a yakṣa (miserly/hoarding spirit)
• यक्ष: Visheshana (विशेषण/समासाङ्ग)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masc.), प्रथमा (Nom. 1), एकवचन (sing.) (component in compound)

• वित्तः: wealth
• वित्तः: Visheshana (विशेषण/समासाङ्ग)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वित्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masc.), प्रथमा (Nom. 1), एकवचन (sing.) (component in compound)

• पतति: falls
• पतति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: पत् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन (sing.)

• अधः: downwards
• अधः: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अधः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण (adverb: downward)

Purport

One who does not share his wealth with the above-mentioned authorized persons and does not even enjoy the wealth himself will certainly suffer unlimited problems in life.

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about hoarding wealth?

This verse warns that one who hoards wealth and refuses to share it with rightful recipients—devas, sages, forefathers, living beings, and one’s own dependents—falls to a degraded condition due to greed and neglect of dharma.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī speak about giving to devas, sages, and forefathers in Canto 11?

In the Avadhūta’s teachings (Canto 11, Chapter 23), Śukadeva conveys principles of detachment and righteous living, showing that wealth is meant for responsible distribution and service, not possessive enjoyment.

How can I apply this Bhagavatam teaching about sharing in modern life?

Treat income as a trust: support worship and sacred causes, serve saints and teachers, care for family and community, practice compassion to all beings, and avoid compulsive saving that neglects duty, health, and spiritual growth.