SB 11.18.31
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Please note: The synonyms, translation and purport of this verse were composed by disciples of Śrīla Prabhupāda
TEXT 31
- nodvijeta janād dhīro
- janaṁ codvejayen na tu
- ati-vādāṁs titikṣeta
- nāvamanyeta kañcana
- deham uddiśya paśu-vad
- vairaṁ kuryān na kenacit
SYNONYMS
na — never; udvijeta — should be disturbed or frightened; janāt — because of other people; dhīraḥ — a saintly person; janam — other people; ca — also; udvejayet — should-frighten or disturb; na — never; tu — indeed; ati-vādān — insulting or harsh words; titikṣeta — he should tolerate; na — never; avamanyeta — should belittle; kañcana — anyone; deham — the body; uddiśya — for the sake of; paśu-vat — like an animal; vairam — hostility; kuryāt — he should create; na — never; kenacit — with anyone.
Translation and purport composed by disciples of Śrīla Prabhupāda
TRANSLATION
A saintly person should never let others frighten or disturb him and, similarly, should never frighten or disturb other people. He should tolerate the insults of others and should never himself belittle anyone. He should never create hostility with anyone for the sake of the material body, for he would thus be no better than an animal.
PURPORT
- Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu has stated,
- tṛṇād api su-nīcena
- taror iva sahiṣṇunā
- amāninā māna-dena
- kīrtanīyaḥ sadā hariḥ
- (CC Adi 17.31)
"One should chant the holy name of the Lord in a humble state of mind, thinking oneself lower than the straw in the street; one should be more tolerant than a tree, devoid of all sense of false prestige and ready to offer all respect to others. In such a state of mind one can chant the holy name of the Lord constantly."
A Vaiṣṇava should never disturb any other living entity with his body, mind or words. He should always be tolerant and never belittle others. Although a Vaiṣṇava may act powerfully against the demons for Lord Kṛṣṇa's sake—as did Arjuna, Hanumān and many other great devotees—a Vaiṣṇava becomes very meek and humble in regard to his own reputation.