Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 26

Nimi Questions the Yogendras: Māyā, Cosmic Dissolution, Guru-Śaraṇāgati, Bhakti, and Deity Worship

Devanagari script

श्रद्धां भागवते शास्त्रेऽनिन्दामन्यत्र चापि हि । मनोवाक्कर्मदण्डं च सत्यं शमदमावपि ॥ २६ ॥

Transliteration

śraddhāṁ bhāgavate śāstre ’nindām anyatra cāpi hi mano-vāk-karma-daṇḍaṁ ca satyaṁ śama-damāv api

Translation

Нужно иметь твердую веру в бхагавата-шастры: следуя писаниям, прославляющим Бхагавана, человек обретает весь успех в жизни. При этом не следует поносить другие писания. Надо строго обуздывать ум, речь и поступки, всегда говорить истину и полностью подчинить ум и чувства (шама-дама).

Synonyms

• श्रद्धाम्: faith
• श्रद्धाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्रद्धा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन — Accusative singular

• भागवते: in the Bhāgavata (scripture)
• भागवते: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भागवत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन — Locative singular; विशेषणम् (qualifying) ‘शास्त्रे’

• शास्त्रे: in the scripture
• शास्त्रे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शास्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन — Locative singular

• अनिन्दाम्: non-criticism / not finding fault
• अनिन्दाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अनिन्दा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन — Accusative singular

• अन्यत्र: elsewhere
• अन्यत्र: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अन्यत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; देश/विषयवाचक-क्रियाविशेषण (adverb) — ‘elsewhere/with others’

• च: and
• च: —
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयबोधक-निपात (conjunction)

• अपि: also
• अपि: —
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अप्यर्थक-निपात (particle: also/even)

• हि: indeed
• हि: —
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; हेत्वर्थक/निश्चयार्थक-निपात (particle: indeed/for)

• मनः-वाक्-कर्म-दण्डम्: discipline/restraint of mind, speech, and actions
• मनः-वाक्-कर्म-दण्डम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मनस् + वाच् + कर्मन् + दण्ड (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन — Accusative singular; समासः: मनः च वाक् च कर्म च (इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व) + दण्डः (तत्पुरुष: तेषां दण्डः)

• च: and
• च: —
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयबोधक-निपात (conjunction)

• सत्यम्: truthfulness
• सत्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सत्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन — Accusative singular

• शम-दमौ: tranquility and self-control
• शम-दमौ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शम + दम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), द्विवचन — Accusative dual; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व (copulative)

• अपि: also
• अपि: —
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अप्यर्थक-निपात (particle: also)

Purport

The definition of śraddhā, or faith, is given as follows in Caitanya-caritāmṛta ( Madhya 22.62) :

Characters & Entities

• Uddhava
• Avadhūta (Dattātreya)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about avoiding criticism (anindā)?

This verse teaches that a sincere seeker should avoid fault-finding and cultivate a respectful, non-critical attitude, which supports devotion and inner purity.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī describe these qualities in Canto 11?

In the teachings connected with Uddhava and the Avadhūta’s wisdom, Śukadeva highlights practical virtues—faith in Bhāgavata, restraint, and truthfulness—as foundations for steady bhakti and realization.

How can I apply mind-speech-action discipline in modern life?

Practice pausing before speaking, reducing impulsive reactions, choosing truthful and beneficial words, and aligning daily habits with spiritual goals—so mind, speech, and actions support devotion rather than distraction.