Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 29

Varṇāśrama-dharma as a Path to Bhakti

Yuga-dharma Origins, Universal Virtues, Brahmacarya and Gṛhastha Duties

Devanagari script

शुश्रूषमाण आचार्यं सदोपासीत नीचवत् । यानशय्यासनस्थानैर्नातिदूरे कृताञ्जलि: ॥ २९ ॥

Transliteration

śuśrūṣamāṇa ācāryaṁ sadopāsīta nīca-vat yāna-śayyāsana-sthānair nāti-dūre kṛtāñjaliḥ

Translation

ขณะรับใช้ครูบาอาจารย์ พึงบูชาท่านเสมอประหนึ่งผู้รับใช้ที่นอบน้อม เมื่อกูรูเดิน เอนกาย หรือประทับบนอาสนะ อย่าอยู่ไกลเกินไป จงประนมมืออยู่ใกล้ๆ คอยรับคำสั่ง

Synonyms

• śuśrūṣamāṇaḥ: desiring to serve
• śuśrūṣamāṇaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śuśrūṣ (शुश्रूष् धातु/इच्छार्थक)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त वर्तमानकृदन्त (present active participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; PPr, masculine, Nominative (1st), singular

• ācāryam: the teacher
• ācāryam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ācārya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन; masculine, Accusative (2nd), singular

• sadā: always
• sadā: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sadā (अव्यय)
• Form: नित्यत्ववाचक-अव्यय (adverb: always)

• upāsīta: should attend upon/serve
• upāsīta: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: upa-√ās (आस् धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; optative mood, 3rd person singular

• nīcavat: like a humble person
• nīcavat: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/रीति)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: nīca + vat (प्रातिपदिक/तद्धित)
• Form: उपमानवाचक-अव्यय (adverbial: like a lowly person)

• yāna-śayyā-āsana-sthānaiḥ: with conveyances, beds, seats, and places
• yāna-śayyā-āsana-sthānaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yāna + śayyā + āsana + sthāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वन्द्व-समास (यानं च शय्या च आसनं च स्थानं च); नपुंसकलिङ्ग (समाहार-द्वन्द्व), तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), बहुवचन; neuter, Instrumental (3rd), plural

• na: not
• na: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-अव्यय (negation)

• ati-dūre: too far away
• ati-dūre: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ati + dūra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास (अति दूरतः/अत्यन्तं दूरम्); स्थानवाचक-अव्यय (locative sense: too far away)

• kṛta-añjaliḥ: with hands folded
• kṛta-añjaliḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kṛta (from √kṛ) + añjali (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुव्रीहि-समास (कृतोऽञ्जलिर्येन); क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (PPP) + नाम; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; masculine, Nominative (1st), singular

Characters & Entities

• Śrī Kṛṣṇa
• Uddhava
• Ācārya (spiritual teacher)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about serving the guru with humility?

In 11.17.29, Kṛṣṇa teaches that a disciple should constantly attend the ācārya with deep humility, standing nearby with folded hands and being ready to assist in practical needs like seat, bed, and proper place—without becoming overly familiar.

Why does Krishna instruct Uddhava to stay near the acharya but not too close?

The verse emphasizes a balance: the disciple must be available for service (nearby), yet avoid overfamiliarity that can erode reverence and discipline in the guru-disciple relationship.

How can guru-seva from Srimad Bhagavatam 11.17.29 be applied in modern life?

Maintain respectful conduct, be punctual and helpful in practical tasks, listen attentively, offer service without ego, and preserve healthy boundaries that protect reverence—especially in learning environments and spiritual communities.