FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 3.4.1

उद्धव उवाच अथ ते तदनुज्ञाता भुक्त्वा पीत्वा च वारुणीम् । तया विभ्रंशितज्ञाना दुरुक्तैर्मर्म पस्पृश: ॥ १ ॥
uddhava uvāca
[uddhava uvaacha]
atha te tad-anujñātā
[atha te tad-anujnaataa]
bhuktvā pītvā ca vāruṇīm
[bhuktvaa peetvaa cha vaaruneem]
tayā vibhraṁśita-jñānā
[tayaa vibhramshita-jnaanaa]
duruktair marma paspṛśuḥ
[duruktair marma pasprishuh]
uddhavaḥ uvāca — Uddhava said atha — thereafter te — they (the Yādavas) tat — by the brāhmaṇas anujñātāḥ — being permitted bhuktvā — after partaking pītvā — drinking ca — and vāruṇīm — liquor tayā — by that vibhraṁśita-jñānāḥ — being bereft of knowledge duruktaiḥ — with harsh words marma — the core of the heart paspṛśuḥ — touched.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
uddhava uvāca
uddhavaḥ uvāca
Uddhava said
atha te tad-anujñātā
atha
thereafter
te
they (the Yādavas)
tat
by the brāhmaṇas
anujñātāḥ
being permitted
bhuktvā pītvā ca vāruṇīm
bhuktvā
after partaking
pītvā
drinking
ca
and
vāruṇīm
liquor
tayā vibhraṁśita-jñānā
tayā
by that
vibhraṁśita-jñānāḥ
being bereft of knowledge
duruktair marma paspṛśuḥ
duruktaiḥ
with harsh words
marma
the core of the heart
paspṛśuḥ
touched.
Thereafter, all of them [the descendants of Vṛṣṇi and Bhoja], being permitted by the brāhmaṇas, partook of the remnants of prasāda and also drank liquor made of rice. By drinking they all became delirious, and, bereft of knowledge, they touched the cores of each other’s hearts with harsh words.

In ceremonies when brāhmaṇas and Vaiṣṇavas are sumptuously fed, the host partakes of the remnants of foodstuff after the guest has given permission. So the descendants of Vṛṣṇi and Bhoja formally took permission from the brāhmaṇas and ate the prepared foodstuff. Kṣatriyas are permitted to drink at certain occasions, so they all drank a kind of light liquor made of rice. By such drinking they became delirious and bereft of sense, so much so that they forgot their relationship with one another and used harsh words which touched the cores of each other’s hearts. Drinking is so harmful that even such a highly cultured family becomes affected by intoxication and can forget themselves in a drunken state. The descendants of Vṛṣṇi and Bhoja were not expected to forget themselves in this way, but by the will of the Supreme it happened, and thus they became harsh towards one another.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
Uddhava said: Then taking the permission of Kṛṣṇa, they ate and drank wine. Losing their intelligence by the wine, they touched each others’ vulnerable spots with harsh words. In the Fourth Chapter, having heard from Uddhava of the disappearance of Kṛṣṇa and his dynasty, Vidura, went to Maitreya to receive instructions. Taking permission from Kṛṣṇa or the brāhmaṇas, the Yadus ate. They mutually insulted each other.
Even cultured devotees fell apart when alcohol entered the gathering, and harsh words touched the deepest places. One intoxicant can undo years of training. Do not invite into your circle anything that loosens the tongue beyond truth.
Reflection Questions
  • What 'permitted' substance or pastime has been making your speech sharper than your sadhana?
  • Where did harsh words land in someone's heart recently because you were not fully present?
📝 My note

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