Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 35

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

Devanagari script

अन्नं च भैक्ष्यसम्पन्नं भुञ्जानस्य सरित्तटे । मूत्रयन्ति च पापिष्ठा: ष्ठीवन्त्यस्य च मूर्धनि ॥ ३५ ॥

Transliteration

annaṁ ca bhaikṣya-sampannaṁ bhuñjānasya sarit-taṭe mūtrayanti ca pāpiṣṭhāḥ ṣṭhīvanty asya ca mūrdhani

Translation

Quando ele se sentava à beira do rio para comer o alimento obtido por esmolas, aqueles pecadores urinavam sobre a comida e ainda ousavam cuspir em sua cabeça.

Synonyms

• annam: food
• annam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: anna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction particle (समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय)

• bhaikṣya-sampannam: obtained by begging / consisting of alms
• bhaikṣya-sampannam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhaikṣya + sampanna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; Tatpuruṣa ‘endowed with alms’ qualifying annam

• bhuñjānasya: of the one eating
• bhuñjānasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhuñjāna (कृदन्त; √bhuj धातु)
• Form: Present Active Participle (शतृ), Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular; ‘of (him) who is eating’

• sarit-taṭe: on the riverbank
• sarit-taṭe: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarit + taṭa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular; Tatpuruṣa ‘river-bank’

• mūtrayanti: urinate
• mūtrayanti: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: mūtra (नामधातु/धातु)
• Form: Laṭ (लट्, Present), Parasmaipada, 3rd Person, Plural; denominative ‘to urinate’

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction particle (समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय)

• pāpiṣṭhāḥ: most sinful (people)
• pāpiṣṭhāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pāpiṣṭha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural; superlative (तमप्) of pāpa

• ṣṭhīvanti: spit
• ṣṭhīvanti: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ṣṭhīv (धातु)
• Form: Laṭ (लट्, Present), Parasmaipada, 3rd Person, Plural

• asya: of him / on him
• asya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: idam (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Sarvanāma, Masculine/Neuter, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction particle (समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय)

• mūrdhani: on (his) head
• mūrdhani: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mūrdhan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular

Characters & Entities

• Avadhūta (Dattātreya)
• sinful people (pāpiṣṭhāḥ)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about tolerating insult to progress spiritually?

This verse shows the Avadhūta enduring extreme humiliation without abandoning his inner steadiness, illustrating that tolerance (titikṣā) supports renunciation and spiritual realization.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī describe people spitting and urinating near the Avadhūta?

To highlight the Avadhūta’s complete detachment and the degraded behavior of the impious, emphasizing that a realized soul remains unaffected by external dishonor.

Practical application of this teaching in modern life?

When criticized or disrespected, practice restraint and non-reactivity, protect your sādhana, and keep your identity rooted in the soul rather than public opinion.