tad-avadhyÄna-visrasta-
puṇya-skandhasya bhūri-da
artho 'py agacchan nidhanaá¹
bahv-ÄyÄsa-pariÅ›ramaḥ
tat - of them; avadhyÄna - because of his neglect; visrasta - depleted; puṇya - of piety; skandhasya - whose portion; bhÅ«ri-da - O magnanimous Uddhava; arthaḥ - the wealth; api - indeed; agacchat nidhanam - became lost; bahu - much; ÄyÄsa - of endeavor; pariÅ›ramaḥ - which consisted only of the labor.
The brÄhmaṇa’s stock of piety became like a withered branch that no longer gives fruits or flowers. ÅšrÄ«la JÄ«va GosvÄmÄ« comments that the brÄhmaṇa had a trace of piety directed at the Supreme Lord with hopes of liberation. That pure portion of the branch of his piety remained unwithered, eventually giving the fruit of knowledge.