Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 30
Chapter 19
को यज्ञः का च दक्षिणा पुंसः किं स्विद् बलं श्रीमन् ।
भगो लाभश्च केशव का विद्या ह्रीः परा का श्रीः ॥
ko yajñaḥ kā ca dakṣiṇā puṃsaḥ kiṃ svid balaṃ śrīman / bhago lābhaś ca keśava kā vidyā hrīḥ parā kā śrīḥ //
噢，尊贵的主啊，何为祭祀（yajña），何为真正的达克希纳（dakṣiṇā，正当供养）？人的真实力量是什么？噢，凯沙瓦啊，何为真正的富贵与真正的所得？何为真实的知识、至上的谦羞，以及最高的吉祥之美与昌盛（Śrī）？
Continuing his inquiry, Uddhava probes the heart of Vedic culture: yajña (sacrifice), dakṣiṇā (the offering that completes sacrifice), strength, prosperity, gain, knowledge, modesty, and beauty. These are commonly praised in society, yet easily misunderstood. In the Bhagavata’s vision, yajña ultimately culminates in devotion to the Supreme Lord—offering one’s life, actions, and results to Him. Dakṣiṇā is not a transaction for prestige but a sacred act that supports dharma and honors those who transmit spiritual knowledge. Strength is redefined away from domination toward mastery over the senses and steadiness in righteousness. Similarly, opulence and gain are measured not by accumulation but by what advances one toward liberation and loving service to Kṛṣṇa. Knowledge is not mere information but realized wisdom that reveals the self and the Lord. Higher modesty is the refined inner restraint that protects devotion from pride and exploitation. By asking these questions, Uddhava prepares the listener to see that all celebrated human assets—power, wealth, learning, and beauty—reach their perfection only when harmonized with bhakti and offered back to the source of all blessings, Śrī Kṛṣṇa.
FAQs
In Uddhava’s questions here, yajña is treated as a spiritual principle needing definition—pointing toward sacrifice perfected when centered on the Supreme Lord and offered without ego.
Dakṣiṇā is the proper offering given in connection with sacrifice; Uddhava asks its true meaning so it is understood as dharmic support and sacred gratitude, not display or bargaining.
Use this verse to reassess strength as self-control and integrity, and gain as what increases spiritual clarity and devotion rather than only material accumulation.