Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 38
Paramahaṁsa-Dharma: The Avadhūta-like Sannyāsī and Prahlāda’s Dialogue with the ‘Python’ Saint
क्वचिदल्पं क्वचिद्भूरि भुञ्जेऽन्नं स्वाद्वस्वादु वा । क्वचिद्भूरि गुणोपेतं गुणहीनमुत क्वचित् । श्रद्धयोपहृतं क्वापि कदाचिन्मानवर्जितम् । भुञ्जे भुक्त्वाथ कस्मिंश्चिद्दिवा नक्तं यदृच्छया ॥ ३८ ॥
kvacid alpaṁ kvacid bhūri bhuñje ’nnaṁ svādv asvādu vā kvacid bhūri guṇopetaṁ guṇa-hīnam uta kvacit
Có lúc ta ăn ít, có lúc ăn nhiều; có lúc thức ăn ngon, có lúc nhạt hay ôi. Có lúc là prasāda dâng với lòng kính tín, có lúc là đồ ăn cho qua loa. Có lúc ăn ban ngày, có lúc ban đêm—ta dùng những gì dễ có theo duyên.
FAQs
This verse shows a perfected devotee eats without attachment—sometimes little or much, tasty or tasteless, honored or not—accepting whatever comes naturally, without demanding specific comforts.
He is teaching the standard of a liberated devotee: freedom from bodily identification and social prestige, and contentment rooted in devotion rather than sense gratification.
Practice gratitude and moderation: reduce picky demands, accept simple meals, avoid entitlement, and keep spiritual priorities first while maintaining health and duty.