SB 5.5.29
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
TEXT 29
- jaḍāndha-mūka-badhira-piśāconmādakavad-avadhūta-veṣo 'bhibhāṣyamāṇo 'pi
- janānāṁ gṛhīta-mauna-vratas tūṣṇīṁ babhūva
SYNONYMS
jaḍa—idle; andha—blind; mūka—dumb; badhira—deaf; piśāca—ghost; unmādaka—a madman; vat—like; avadhūta-veṣaḥ—appearing like an avadhūta (having no concern with the material world); abhibhāṣyamāṇaḥ—being thus addressed (as deaf, dumb and blind); api—although; janānām—by the people; gṛhīta—took; mauna—of silence; vrataḥ—the vow; tūṣṇīm babhūva—He remained silent.
TRANSLATION
After accepting the feature of avadhūta, a great saintly person without material cares, Lord Ṛṣabhadeva passed through human society like a blind, deaf and dumb man, an idle stone, a ghost or a madman. Although people called Him such names, He remained silent and did not speak to anyone.
PURPORT
The word avadhūta refers to one who does not care for social conventions, particularly the varṇāśrama-dharma. However, such a person may be situated fully within himself and be satisfied with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, on whom he meditates. In other words, one who has surpassed the rules and regulations of varṇāśrama-dharma is called avadhūta. Such a person has already surpassed the clutches of māyā, and he lives completely separate and independent.