Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 7

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

Devanagari script

ज्ञातयोऽतिथयस्तस्य वाङ्‍मात्रेणापि नार्चिता: । शून्यावसथ आत्मापि काले कामैरनर्चित: ॥ ७ ॥

Transliteration

jñātayo ’tithayas tasya vāṅ-mātreṇāpi nārcitāḥ śūnyāvasatha ātmāpi kāle kāmair anarcitaḥ

Translation

ในเรือนของเขาปราศจากธรรมและความสุขอันชอบธรรม ญาติและแขกไม่เคยได้รับการยกย่องแม้ด้วยวาจา และแม้แต่ร่างกายของตน เขาก็มิยอมให้ความพอเหมาะในกาลอันควร

Synonyms

• ज्ञातयः: kinsmen
• ज्ञातयः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ज्ञाति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा बहुवचनम्

• अतिथयः: guests
• अतिथयः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अतिथि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा बहुवचनम्

• तस्य: of him
• तस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे षष्ठी एकवचनम्

• वाक्-मात्रेण: by mere speech
• वाक्-मात्रेण: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाक् (प्रातिपदिक) + मात्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे तृतीया एकवचनम्; ‘वाचा मात्रया’ = by mere words

• अपि: even
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्ययम्; समुच्चय/अपि-कार (even/also)

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

• अर्चिताः: were honored
• अर्चिताः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अर्च् (धातु) → अर्चित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्तः (PPP); पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा बहुवचनम्; ज्ञातयः/अतिथयः इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• शून्यावसथः: (his) house was empty
• शून्यावसथः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शून्य (प्रातिपदिक) + वसथ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा एकवचनम्; ‘शून्यः वसथः’ = empty dwelling (as predicate/descriptor)

• आत्मा: he himself
• आत्मा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा एकवचनम्

• अपि: also
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्ययम्; समुच्चयार्थे (also)

• काले: in due time/at the proper time
• काले: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे सप्तमी एकवचनम्; समये

• कामैः: with desired enjoyments/pleasures
• कामैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे तृतीया बहुवचनम्; साधन/करण

• अनर्चितः: was not honored/served
• अनर्चितः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अर्च् (धातु) → अर्चित (कृदन्त) with नञ्
• Form: नञ्-पूर्वक भूतकर्मणि कृदन्तः (unhonored); पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा एकवचनम्; आत्मा इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

Characters & Entities

• Yadu
• Avadhūta (Dattātreya)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about honoring guests (atithi-seva)?

This verse criticizes a degraded mentality where even guests and relatives are not respected even by words, implying that neglect of atithi-sevā is a sign of spiritual and social decline.

Why is this teaching spoken in Canto 11 Chapter 23 of the Bhagavatam?

Śukadeva conveys the Avadhūta’s instruction to King Yadu, showing how material desire can erode dharma—starting with basic courtesy and ending in inner emptiness and self-neglect.

How can I apply this verse in modern life?

Practice simple respect—kind speech, gratitude, and hospitality—while also watching how unchecked desires make one neglect relationships, duties, and even self-care.