Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 11.17.37
Manvantara· The Manus and right dutyEnter Household Life With Spiritual Guidance
“A brahmacārī who has completed his Vedic education and desires to enter household life should offer proper remuneration to the spiritual master, bathe, cut his hair, put on proper clothes, and so on. Then, taking permission from the guru, he should go back to his home.”
What the purport teaches
- After completing Vedic education, a brahmacārī wishing to enter household life should offer remuneration to his spiritual master. He should prepare himself properly and return home with the guru’s permission.
- Attraction to household life must be regulated so that spiritual determination does not collapse. Seeking enjoyment outside devotional service draws one away from the Supreme Lord.
- One should direct the propensity to love toward serving a pure devotee. Worship of Kṛṣṇa without worship of His devotees does not indicate an advanced Vaiṣṇava.
Try this today
Perform one small act of service for a devotee today.
Ask yourself
How can I keep affection and household responsibilities connected with devotional service?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
From Canto 10, chapter 14 onward, the translation and purports were completed by Śrīla Prabhupāda's disciples after his departure, and published by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.