Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 34

Śrī Rāmacandra-avatāra — Vow, Exile, Laṅkā-vijaya, and Rāma-rājya

Concise Bhāgavata Account

Devanagari script

गोमूत्रयावकं श्रुत्वा भ्रातरं वल्कलाम्बरम् । महाकारुणिकोऽतप्यज्जटिलं स्थण्डिलेशयम् ॥ ३४ ॥

Transliteration

go-mūtra-yāvakaṁ śrutvā bhrātaraṁ valkalāmbaram mahā-kāruṇiko ’tapyaj jaṭilaṁ sthaṇḍile-śayam

Translation

抵达阿逾陀后，罗摩听闻：在他不在之时，婆罗多以牛尿煮大麦为食，身披树皮衣，发结成髻，卧于库沙草席。至慈的主因此深深哀恸。

Synonyms

• go-mūtra-yāvakam: cow-urine gruel (austerity-food)
• go-mūtra-yāvakam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: go (प्रातिपदिक) + mūtra (प्रातिपदिक) + yāvaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसकलिङ्ग (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Dvitīyā vibhakti (द्वितीया/2nd case), Eka-vacana (एकवचन); samāsa: go-mūtrasya yāvakaḥ (a kind of gruel/food prepared with cow-urine)

• śrutvā: having heard
• śrutvā: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: śru (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त) from śru ‘to hear’; avyaya-kṛdanta (अव्ययकृदन्त)

• bhrātaram: (his) brother
• bhrātaram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhrātṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga (पुंलिङ्ग), Dvitīyā vibhakti (द्वितीया/2nd case), Eka-vacana (एकवचन)

• valkala-ambaram: wearing bark-garments
• valkala-ambaram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: valkala (प्रातिपदिक) + ambara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga (पुंलिङ्ग), Dvitīyā vibhakti (द्वितीया/2nd case), Eka-vacana (एकवचन); samāsa: valkalam ambaraṁ yasya saḥ (bahuvrīhi sense; used adjectivally for bhrātaram)

• mahā-kāruṇikaḥ: greatly compassionate
• mahā-kāruṇikaḥ: Kartā (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + kāruṇika (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga (पुंलिङ्ग), Prathamā vibhakti (प्रथमा/1st case), Eka-vacana (एकवचन)

• atapyat: was pained / grieved
• atapyat: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: tap (धातु)
• Form: Laṅ (लङ्, imperfect), Ātmanepada (आत्मनेपद), Prathama-puruṣa (प्रथमपुरुष), Eka-vacana (एकवचन)

• jaṭilam: matted-haired
• jaṭilam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: jaṭila (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga (पुंलिङ्ग), Dvitīyā vibhakti (द्वितीया/2nd case), Eka-vacana (एकवचन); viśeṣaṇa of bhrātaram

• sthaṇḍile-śayam: lying on the bare ground
• sthaṇḍile-śayam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sthaṇḍila (प्रातिपदिक) + śaya (√śī धातु, ण्यत्/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga (पुंलिङ्ग), Dvitīyā vibhakti (द्वितीया/2nd case), Eka-vacana (एकवचन); samāsa: sthaṇḍile śayaḥ (locative-determinative) = one who lies on the bare ground

Characters & Entities

• Rāma (Paraśurāma)
• His brother (unnamed in this verse)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about severe austerity and simple living?

This verse highlights an ascetic lifestyle—bark garments, matted hair, sleeping on the ground, and minimal food—showing how intense tapasya can be practiced, while also noting the compassionate concern it can evoke in loved ones.

Why was the compassionate person distressed after hearing about his brother’s austerity?

Because his brother’s vows were extremely austere—subsisting on barley cooked with cow’s urine and living without comforts—so the compassionate one felt inner pain upon hearing of such hardship.

What is a practical application of this shloka for modern life?

Practice moderation and disciplined living (simple food, fewer comforts) for spiritual focus, while keeping compassion—supporting others so that austerity does not become harmful or merely self-punishing.