Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 23

Nārada’s Instructions: Śrāddha, True Dharma, Contentment, Yoga, and Devotion-Centered Renunciation

Devanagari script

आन्वीक्षिक्या शोकमोहौ दम्भं महदुपासया । योगान्तरायान्मौनेन हिंसां कामाद्यनीहया ॥ २३ ॥

Transliteration

ānvīkṣikyā śoka-mohau dambhaṁ mahad-upāsayā yogāntarāyān maunena hiṁsāṁ kāmādy-anīhayā

Translation

Nhờ luận bàn tri thức tâm linh, có thể thắng sầu khổ và mê lầm; nhờ phụng sự vị đại bhakta, dứt lòng kiêu mạn; nhờ giữ im lặng, tránh các chướng ngại trên đường yoga; và chỉ cần ngừng chạy theo khoái lạc giác quan, có thể thắng lòng đố kỵ và ác ý (hiṃsā).

Synonyms

• आन्वीक्षिक्या: by philosophical inquiry
• आन्वीक्षिक्या: करण (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आन्वीक्षिकी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• शोक-मोहौ: grief and delusion
• शोक-मोहौ: कर्म (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शोक (प्रातिपदिक) + मोह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), द्विवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः

• दम्भम्: hypocrisy, pretension
• दम्भम्: कर्म (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दम्भ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• महत्-उपासया: by service to the great (saints)
• महत्-उपासया: करण (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महत् (प्रातिपदिक) + उपासना/उपासा (प्रातिपदिक; उप + आस् धातु)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; कर्मधारय/तत्पुरुषप्रायः ('great worship/service')

• योग-अन्तरायान्: obstacles to yoga
• योग-अन्तरायान्: कर्म (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: योग (प्रातिपदिक) + अन्तराय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः ('obstacles to yoga')

• मौनेन: by silence
• मौनेन: करण (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मौन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन

• हिंसाम्: violence
• हिंसाम्: कर्म (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हिंसा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• काम-आदि-अनीहया: by non-indulgent non-striving toward desire and the like
• काम-आदि-अनीहया: करण (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काम (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक) + अनीहा (प्रातिपदिक; निः + ईह् धातु)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः ('non-striving regarding desire etc.')

Purport

If one’s son has died, one may certainly be affected by lamentation and illusion and cry for the dead son, but one may overcome lamentation and illusion by considering the verses of Bhagavad-gītā.

Characters & Entities

• Nārada Muni
• Yudhiṣṭhira Mahārāja

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about overcoming lamentation and illusion?

This verse says śoka (lamentation) and moha (delusion) are dispelled by ānvīkṣikī—clear analytical inquiry and discrimination that reveals what is real and temporary.

Why did Nārada Muni say this to Yudhiṣṭhira Mahārāja?

In Canto 7, Chapter 15, Nārada instructs Yudhiṣṭhira on the practical disciplines of civilized life and spiritual progress—how inner vices and yogic obstacles are removed through right practice and saintly association.

Practical application of mauna and anīhā (non-striving) in modern life?

Practice purposeful silence to reduce impulsive speech and distraction, and reduce compulsive sense-driven striving (especially lust and greed); this naturally lowers aggression and supports steady spiritual practice.