Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 38

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

Devanagari script

अहो एष महासारो धृतिमान् गिरिराडिव । मौनेन साधयत्यर्थं बकवद् द‍ृढनिश्चय: ॥ ३८ ॥ इत्येके विहसन्त्येनमेके दुर्वातयन्ति च । तं बबन्धुर्निरुरुधुर्यथा क्रीडनकं द्विजम् ॥ ३९ ॥

Transliteration

aho eṣa mahā-sāro dhṛtimān giri-rāḍ iva maunena sādhayaty arthaṁ baka-vad dṛḍha-niścayaḥ

Translation

Có kẻ cười nhạo: “Ôi, bậc hiền ‘đại lực’ này thật vững như dãy Hi-mã-lạp-sơn! Nhờ giữ im lặng mà theo đuổi mục đích, kiên quyết như con cò.” Kẻ khác thì xả hơi hôi thối vào ngài. Lại có lúc họ xích vị bà-la-môn song sinh ấy bằng xiềng, giam giữ như thú cưng để mua vui.

Synonyms

• aho: ah!, indeed!
• aho: Bhāva (भाव/expressive)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: aho (अव्यय)
• Form: Exclamatory particle (विस्मयादिबोधक अव्यय)

• eṣaḥ: this (man)
• eṣaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: etad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Sarvanāma, Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• mahā-sāraḥ: very steadfast/strong in essence
• mahā-sāraḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā + sāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; Karmadhāraya ‘great + essence/strength’

• dhṛtimān: patient, enduring
• dhṛtimān: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dhṛtimant (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; possessive suffix -mant (मतुप्)

• giri-rāṭ: the king of mountains
• giri-rāṭ: Upamāna (उपमान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: giri + rājan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; Tatpuruṣa ‘king of mountains’

• iva: like
• iva: Upamā (उपमा)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iva (अव्यय)
• Form: Comparative particle (उपमावाचक अव्यय)

• maunena: by silence
• maunena: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mauna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular

• sādhayati: accomplishes
• sādhayati: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sādh (धातु)
• Form: Laṭ (लट्, Present), Parasmaipada, 3rd Person, Singular

• artham: his purpose, goal
• artham: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: artha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• baka-vat: like a heron
• baka-vat: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: baka + vat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Taddhita -vat (वत्) forming indeclinable comparative/adverbial ‘like a crane/heron’

• dṛḍha-niścayaḥ: of firm determination
• dṛḍha-niścayaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dṛḍha + niścaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; Karmadhāraya ‘firm resolve’

Characters & Entities

• Avadhuta
• King Yadu

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the power of silence (mauna)?

This verse praises achieving one’s aim through silence—self-controlled restraint that protects one’s purpose and conserves inner strength.

Why does the Avadhuta compare determination to a mountain and silence to a heron (baka)?

The mountain image highlights unshakable steadiness, while the heron symbolizes quiet focus—remaining still and purposeful rather than scattered or reactive.

Practical application of mauna and dṛḍha-niścaya in modern life?

Reduce impulsive speech, stay calm under provocation, and keep firm commitment to your spiritual goal through disciplined daily practice.