Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 3.12.43
Manvantara· The Manus and right dutySpiritual Social Orders Began With Creation
“The four divisions of retired life are the vaikhānasas, vālakhilyas, audumbaras and phenapas. The four divisions of the renounced order of life are the kuṭīcakas, bahvodas, haṁsas and niṣkriyas. All these were manifested from Brahmā.”
What the purport teaches
- The four divisions of retired life are the vaikhānasas, vālakhilyas, audumbaras and phenapas. All were manifested from Brahmā.
- The four divisions of renounced life are the kuṭīcakas, bahvodas, haṁsas and niṣkriyas. These also manifested from Brahmā.
- Varṇāśrama-dharma is the institution of four divisions and orders of social and spiritual life. It is not a modern invention, but was established by Brahmā at the beginning of creation.
Try this today
Make two short lists from the translation: the divisions of retired life and the divisions of renounced life.
Ask yourself
How does learning about this institution's origin affect my understanding of spiritual social life?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.