Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 11

The Prayers of the Personified Vedas (Śruti-stuti) and the Indescribable Absolute

Devanagari script

तुल्यश्रुततप:शीलास्तुल्यस्वीयारिमध्यमा: । अपि चक्रु: प्रवचनमेकं शुश्रूषवोऽपरे ॥ ११ ॥

Transliteration

tulya-śruta-tapaḥ-śīlās tulya-svīyāri-madhyamāḥ api cakruḥ pravacanam ekaṁ śuśrūṣavo ’pare

Translation

尽管这些圣者在吠陀学修、苦行与品德上皆同等圆满，并以平等心看待友、敌与中立者，他们仍推举其中一位为说法者，其余则恭敬渴慕地聆听。

Synonyms

• तुल्य-श्रुत-तपः-शीलाः: having equal learning, austerity, and conduct
• तुल्य-श्रुत-तपः-शीलाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तुल्य (प्रातिपदिक) + श्रुत (प्रातिपदिक) + तपस् (प्रातिपदिक) + शील (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; विशेषण (adjectival)

• तुल्य-स्वीय-अरि-मध्यमाḥ: with equals as friends and enemies (balanced toward both)
• तुल्य-स्वीय-अरि-मध्यमाḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तुल्य (प्रातिपदिक) + स्वीय (प्रातिपदिक) + अरि (प्रातिपदिक) + मध्यम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; विशेषण

• अपि: also/even
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (particle), ‘also/even’

• चक्रुः: they did/made
• चक्रुः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन

• प्रवचनम्: a discourse/recitation
• प्रवचनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रवचन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• एकम्: one/single
• एकम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying प्रवचनम्)

• शुश्रूषवः: eager to listen/attend
• शुश्रूषवः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुश्रूषु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; इच्छार्थक-विशेषण (desiderative sense: ‘desirous to listen/serve’)

• अपरे: others
• अपरे: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अपर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; सर्वनाम-प्राय (pronominal adjective used substantively)

Characters & Entities

• Personified Vedas (Śrutayaḥ)
• Nārāyaṇa / Bhagavān (implied)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the qualities of sincere spiritual seekers?

This verse highlights equality in learning, austerity and character, and an even-minded attitude toward friends and opponents—paired with either teaching in harmony or hearing with a service mood.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī describe some as speakers and others as eager listeners?

He is depicting an ideal spiritual assembly: some articulate the unified conclusion of dharma and devotion, while others practice śravaṇa with humility and readiness to serve, which completes genuine transmission of Vedic wisdom.

Practical application of even-minded hearing and speaking in modern life?

Cultivate respectful dialogue, avoid partisan hostility, and prioritize learning through attentive listening; share spiritual insights only to unify and uplift, not to win arguments.