Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 38
Chapter 19
अन्यच् च सुनृता वाणी कविभिः परिकीर्तिता ।
कर्मस्व् असङ्गमः शौचं त्यागः सन्न्यास उच्यते ॥
anyac ca sunṛtā vāṇī kavibhiḥ parikīrtitā / karmasv asaṅgamaḥ śaucaṃ tyāgaḥ sannyāsa ucyate //
再者，悦耳而真实的言语为贤者所称赞。清净是在诸行中不执著；真正的出离称为舍弃占有之心与自我之私的主张。
Śrī Kṛṣṇa continues to define virtues by their inner essence rather than their outer label. Sunṛtā vāṇī—speech that is both truthful and pleasing—is celebrated by the wise because words can heal or wound. In bhakti, speech becomes sacred when it expresses truth without cruelty and supports remembrance of the Lord. Śauca (purity) is often reduced to external cleanliness, but Kṛṣṇa points to karmasu asaṅgamaḥ—non-attachment while acting. One may perform duties, earn livelihood, and serve family, yet remain inwardly clean by not binding the heart to results, prestige, or sense enjoyment. Such detachment prevents karma from producing further bondage. Sannyāsa is commonly imagined as a change of dress or social position. Here it is defined as tyāga—genuine relinquishing: giving up the mentality of ownership and the egoistic claim “this is mine” and “this is for my enjoyment.” When tyāga matures, one naturally offers results to the Supreme and lives as a caretaker of God’s property. Thus, the verse harmonizes ethical living, inner purity, and renunciation with the devotional path taught to Uddhava in the Eleventh Canto.
FAQs
This verse praises sunṛtā vāṇī—speech that is truthful and also pleasing, meaning truth expressed with compassion and restraint.
Krishna defines purity as karmasu asaṅgamaḥ—remaining unattached while performing actions, not binding oneself to results or ego.
Here sannyāsa is called tyāga—giving up possessiveness and selfish claim, offering one’s life and results in a spirit of dedication.