Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 39

The Forest of Material Existence (Saṁsāra-vana) and the Delivering Path of Bharata’s Teachings

Devanagari script

यदिदं योगानुशासनं न वा एतदवरुन्धते यन्न्यस्तदण्डा मुनय उपशमशीला उपरतात्मान: समवगच्छन्ति ॥ ३९ ॥

Transliteration

yad idaṁ yogānuśāsanaṁ na vā etad avarundhate yan nyasta-daṇḍā munaya upaśama-śīlā uparatātmānaḥ samavagacchanti.

Translation

此瑜伽之教，唯对弃暴无害、为一切众生之友、性情寂静、摄心制根的圣者最为易行。其心安定，便能轻易通达解脱之道、归返主之居处之路。然执著于苦恼物质境况的可怜世人，难与彼等相亲近。

Synonyms

• yat: which
• yat: Karma (कर्म; object of avarundhate)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; relative pronoun

• idam: this
• idam: Karma (कर्म; apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: idam (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; demonstrative pronoun

• yoga-anuśāsanam: the discipline/instruction of yoga
• yoga-anuśāsanam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yoga (प्रातिपदिक) + anuśāsana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (yogasya anuśāsanam)

• na: not
• na: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध (negation)

• vā: indeed/forsooth
• vā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vā (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात; emphasis/option

• etat: this
• etat: Karma (कर्म; object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: etad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; demonstrative pronoun

• avarundhate: they do not restrain/obstruct
• avarundhate: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ava-√rudh (धातु)
• Form: लट् (present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), बहुवचन; आत्मनेपद; ava-√rudh = to restrain/obstruct

• yat: who
• yat: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा, बहुवचन (understood with munayaḥ); relative pronoun

• nyasta-daṇḍāḥ: having laid down the rod (renounced violence)
• nyasta-daṇḍāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nyasta (कृदन्त, ni-√as/√nyas न्यस्) + daṇḍa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; बहुव्रीहिः ‘those whose staff/punishment is laid down’ (renunciants)

• munayaḥ: sages
• munayaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: muni (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• upaśama-śīlāḥ: of tranquil disposition
• upaśama-śīlāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: upaśama (प्रातिपदिक) + śīla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; बहुव्रीहिः ‘those whose nature is tranquility’

• uparata-ātmānaḥ: self-restrained
• uparata-ātmānaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: uparata (कृदन्त, upa-√ram रम्) + ātman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; बहुव्रीहिः ‘those whose self is withdrawn/ceased (from sense-activity)’

• samavagacchanti: they fully understand/realize
• samavagacchanti: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-ava-√gam (धातु)
• Form: लट् (present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

Purport

The great saint Jaḍa Bharata described both the miserable condition and the means to get out. The only way out of it is association with devotees, and this association is very easy. Although unfortunate people also get this opportunity, due to their great misfortune they cannot take shelter of pure devotees, and consequently they continuously suffer. Nonetheless, this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement insists that everyone take to this path by adopting the chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra. The preachers of Kṛṣṇa consciousness go from door to door to inform people how they can be relieved from the miserable conditions of material life. As stated by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, guru-kṛṣṇa-prasāde pāya bhakti-latā-bīja: by the mercy of Kṛṣṇa and guru, one can get the seed of devotional service. If one is a little intelligent he can cultivate Kṛṣṇa consciousness and be freed from the miserable conditions of material life.

FAQs

What does Srimad Bhagavatam say about the qualities of a true yogi?

In this verse, a true yogi is described as nyasta-daṇḍa (non-violent, having laid aside aggression), upaśama-śīla (peaceful by nature), and uparatātmā (withdrawn from material sense engagement), and such a person truly realizes the purpose of yoga.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī emphasize peace and non-violence in yoga?

Because the Bhagavatam frames yoga as a path to inner realization, not mere technique; only those who have given up violence and become inwardly calm can genuinely comprehend its teaching rather than be “bound” by external discipline.

How can I apply “uparatātmā” (withdrawn mind) in modern life?

Practice deliberate restraint: reduce overstimulation, simplify habits, and regularly turn the mind toward sādhana (japa, śravaṇam, kīrtanam). The verse teaches that real progress comes from inner withdrawal and peace, not from force or display.