FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.47.7

नि:स्वं त्यजन्ति गणिका अकल्पं नृपतिं प्रजा: । अधीतविद्या आचार्यमृत्विजो दत्तदक्षिणम् ॥ ७ ॥
niḥsvaṁ tyajanti gaṇikā
[nihsvam tyajanti ganikaa]
akalpaṁ nṛpatiṁ prajāḥ
[akalpam nripatim prajaah]
adhīta-vidyā ācāryam
[adheeta-vidyaa aachaaryam]
ṛtvijo datta-dakṣiṇam
[ritvijo datta-dakshinam]
niḥsvam — one without any assets tyajanti — abandon gaṇikāḥ — prostitutes akalpam — incompetent nṛ - patim — a king prajaḥ — citizens adhīta - vidyāḥ — those who have completed their education ācāryam — the teacher ṛtvijaḥ — priests datta — (the sacrificer) who has given dakṣiṇam — their remuneration .
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
niḥsvaṁ tyajanti gaṇikā
niḥsvam
one without any assets
tyajanti
abandon
gaṇikāḥ
prostitutes
akalpaṁ nṛpatiṁ prajāḥ
akalpam
incompetent
nṛ - patim
a king
prajaḥ
citizens
adhīta-vidyā ācāryam
adhīta - vidyāḥ
those who have completed their education
ācāryam
the teacher
ṛtvijo datta-dakṣiṇam
ṛtvijaḥ
priests
datta
(the sacrificer) who has given
dakṣiṇam
their remuneration .
  • tyajanti — abandon
    From √tyaj (to give up). The verb returns four times in this verse — a hammered refrain. The gopīs accuse Kṛṣṇa of tyāga, while in the next chapters Uddhava will reveal that Kṛṣṇa's apparent tyāga is in fact intensified smaraṇa.
  • gaṇikāḥ — prostitutes
    From gaṇa (group, crowd). A gaṇikā is one who serves the public. The gopīs sharpen the analogy: the city women of Mathurā are public consorts; the gopīs are Kṛṣṇa's private property. The contrast will run through the chapter.
  • ācāryam — the teacher
    From ā + √car (one who guides conduct). Even the student leaves the ācārya once education is finished — yet a Gauḍīya disciple never leaves. Caitanya-caritāmṛta emphasizes that the bond with guru is the one bond that does not end with the lesson.
  • ṛtvijaḥ — priests
    From ṛtu (season) + √yaj (to sacrifice) — the seasonal performer of yajña. Once paid the dakṣiṇā, even the sacrificer-priest departs. The gopīs are saying: even sacred contracts dissolve; ours is not contractual at all.
Prostitutes abandon a penniless man, subjects an incompetent king, students their teacher once they have finished their education, and priests a man who has remunerated them for a sacrifice.
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
Prostitutes abandon a penniless man, subjects an incompetent king, students their teacher once they have finished their education, and priests a man who has remunerated them for a sacrifice.
Jīva Gosvāmī Gauḍīya
Commentary

If a relationship between two persons is based prominently on dharma it is lasting, whereas if it is predominated by local custom, it is temporary. This point is made by giving many examples. Prostitutes give up a penniless man and citizens reject a king who cannot protect them (akalpam). Sacrificial priests give up a man who has paid them.

Śrīdhara Svāmī Gauḍīya
Commentary

Niḥsvam is a person who had money, but spend it. Citizens give up a king who cannot give protection (akalpam). Priests give up the sponsor once he has given the donation.

Related values
Anahankarah (Freedom from False Ego)Asteya (Non-stealing / Honesty)Aparigraha (Non-possessiveness)
Related verses
Concepts
Dharma
Prostitutes abandon a penniless man, subjects an incompetent king, students their teacher once finished, priests a man who has paid them for sacrifice. The world's economy is contingent; many 'relationships' end exactly when need does.
Reflection Questions
  • Which of your 'relationships' are these kinds of contingent transactions in disguise?
  • Where do you treat the Lord transactionally too — leaving when your need is met?

The prostitute, the subject, the student, the priest — each abandons when the contract is done. The gopīs list the world's broken bonds the way a betrayed lover lists every traitor in the village, looking for the right shape for what was done to her.

📝 My note

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