Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 21

Varṇāśrama-dharma as a Path to Bhakti

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

Devanagari script

अहिंसा सत्यमस्तेयमकामक्रोधलोभता । भूतप्रियहितेहा च धर्मोऽयं सार्ववर्णिक: ॥ २१ ॥

Transliteration

ahiṁsā satyam asteyam akāma-krodha-lobhatā bhūta-priya-hitehā ca dharmo ’yaṁ sārva-varṇikaḥ

Translation

اہنسا، سچائی، چوری سے پرہیز، کام‑غصہ‑لالچ سے آزادی اور تمام جانداروں کی خوشی و بھلائی کی خواہش—یہ دھرم سبھی ورنوں کے لیے یکساں ہے۔

Synonyms

• अहिंसा: non-violence
• अहिंसा: Karta (कर्ता) / Predicate-nominative (विशेष्य-निर्देश)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अहिंसा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन

• सत्यम्: truthfulness
• सत्यम्: Karta (कर्ता) / Predicate-nominative (विशेष्य-निर्देश)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सत्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन

• अस्तेयम्: non-stealing
• अस्तेयम्: Karta (कर्ता) / Predicate-nominative (विशेष्य-निर्देश)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्तेय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन

• अकाम-क्रोध-लोभता: freedom from desire, anger, and greed
• अकाम-क्रोध-लोभता: Karta (कर्ता) / Predicate-nominative (विशेष्य-निर्देश)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अकाम (प्रातिपदिक) + क्रोध (प्रातिपदिक) + लोभता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समाहारः: 'क्रोधस्य लोभस्य च अकामता' / 'अकामः क्रोधः लोभः' इत्यर्थे 'absence of desire, anger, greed' (quality)

• भूत-प्रिय-हित-इहा: endeavor for the welfare dear to all beings
• भूत-प्रिय-हित-इहा: Karta (कर्ता) / Predicate-nominative (विशेष्य-निर्देश)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूत (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रिय (प्रातिपदिक) + हित (प्रातिपदिक) + इहा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुषः: 'भूतानां प्रियं हितं च (यत्र) इहा' = endeavor for what is dear and beneficial to beings

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (conjunction)

• धर्मः: dharma, righteous conduct
• धर्मः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन

• अयम्: this
• अयम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of 'धर्मः'
• Type: Adjective
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; demonstrative pronoun

• सार्व-वर्णिकः: common to all social classes
• सार्व-वर्णिकः: Predicate adjective (विशेषण) of 'धर्मः'
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सार्व (प्रातिपदिक) + वर्णिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः: 'सर्वेषां वर्णानां वर्णिकः' (applicable to all varṇas)

Purport

The word sārva-varṇika indicates that the above-mentioned principles constitute general piety, which should be observed by all members of society, even those outside the varṇāśrama system. We practically find that even in societies that have fallen away from the varṇāśrama system, the above-mentioned principles are honored and encouraged. Such principles do not constitute a specific path of liberation but are perennial virtues in human society.

Characters & Entities

• Kṛṣṇa
• Uddhava

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about universal dharma for all people?

In 11.17.21, Kṛṣṇa defines universal dharma as nonviolence, truthfulness, non-stealing, freedom from lust, anger, and greed, and working for the welfare of all beings—principles meant for everyone, regardless of varṇa.

Why did Krishna speak these virtues to Uddhava in the Bhagavatam?

Kṛṣṇa instructs Uddhava on the timeless foundations of dharma—qualities that support devotion and righteous living—so that spiritual life can be sustained even as social conditions change.

How can I apply ahimsa, satya, and freedom from greed in modern life?

Practice non-harm in speech and action, be truthful without cruelty, avoid taking what isn’t yours, regulate desires, pause before reacting in anger, simplify needs to reduce greed, and actively choose actions that benefit others.