Shloka 15

Arjuna Marries Subhadrā; Kṛṣṇa Honors Two Devotees in Mithilā (Śrutadeva and Bahulāśva)

Devanagari script

यात्रामात्रं त्वहरहर्दैवादुपनमत्युत । नाधिकं तावता तुष्ट: क्रिया चक्रे यथोचिता: ॥ १५ ॥

Transliteration

yātrā-mātraṁ tv ahar ahar daivād upanamaty uta nādhikaṁ tāvatā tuṣṭaḥ kriyā cakre yathocitāḥ

Translation

ด้วยพระประสงค์แห่งพรหมลิขิต เขาได้รับในแต่ละวันเพียงเท่าที่จำเป็นต่อการดำรงชีพ ไม่มากไปกว่านั้น พอใจเพียงเท่านี้แล้ว เขาจึงปฏิบัติธรรมกิจตามควรอย่างถูกต้อง

Synonyms

• यात्रा-मात्रम्: only a journey (mere travel)
• यात्रा-मात्रम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यात्रा (प्रातिपदिक) + मात्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; समासः (तत्पुरुषः)

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: निपातः/अवधारणार्थक-अव्यय (particle: but/indeed)

• अहर्: day
• अहर्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अहर् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभावे प्रयुक्तम्; here as adverbial accusative in repetition

• अहर्: day (after day)
• अहर्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अहर् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुनरुक्तिः (ahar ahar = day after day)

• दैवात्: by destiny, by chance
• दैवात्: Apadana/Hetu (अपादान/हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दैव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, पञ्चमी-विभक्तिः (अपादान), एकवचनम्; हेतौ (by fate)

• उपनमति: approaches/comes near
• उपनमति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उप-नम् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (वर्तमान), प्रथमपुरुषः, एकवचनम्, आत्मनेपदम्

• उत: indeed/also
• उत: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: उत (अव्यय)
• Form: निपातः (emphatic/also)

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-निपातः (negation)

• अधिकम्: more, additional
• अधिकम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अधिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; used substantively (nothing more)

• तावता: with that much, to that extent
• तावता: Karana/Pramana (करण/प्रमाण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तावत् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, तृतीया-विभक्तिः (करण/प्रमाण), एकवचनम्; ‘by that much/with that’

• तुष्टः: satisfied
• तुष्टः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तुष्ट (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; तुष् धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त, पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; विशेषणम् (implicit subject)

• क्रियाः: rites, actions
• क्रियाः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्रिया (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्

• चक्रे: he performed/did
• चक्रे: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (परिपूर्णभूत/Perfect), प्रथमपुरुषः, एकवचनम्, आत्मनेपदम्

• यथा-उचिताः: as appropriate
• यथा-उचिताः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: यथा (अव्यय) + उचित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; वच्/उच् धातु-निष्पन्न)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्; विशेषणम् (क्रियाः)

Purport

An ideal Vaiṣṇava brāhmaṇa, even if encumbered by the ties of family life, should work only as hard as required to meet his obligations. Without being unnecessarily agitated for material advancement, he should devote the best part of his time and assets to his higher duties in the Supreme Lord’s service. If a householder can succeed in this program despite the unavoidable difficulties of this degraded age, he can expect Lord Kṛṣṇa’s personal attention, as will be seen in the case of Śrutadeva, the perfect brāhmaṇa of Mithilā.

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about living on minimal necessities (yātrā-mātram)?

This verse teaches that one may accept only what comes by providence for simple maintenance, yet still remain conscientious in performing one’s proper duties rather than becoming complacent or negligent.

Who is speaking this verse in Bhagavatam 10.86.15?

Śukadeva Gosvāmī speaks this verse while narrating the events of Canto 10, Chapter 86 to King Parīkṣit.

How can I apply this teaching in modern life?

Live simply and avoid greed, but do not use simplicity as an excuse for irresponsibility—continue to do your rightful work, service, and spiritual practices steadily and properly.