Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 3.22.14
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesUnderstand and Honor Spiritual Commitments
“Svāyambhuva Manu continued: O wise man, I heard that you were prepared to marry. Please accept her hand, which is being offered to you by me, since you have not taken a vow of perpetual celibacy.”
What the purport teaches
- Brahmacarya is student life at the beginning of the spiritual orders, and its principle is celibacy.
- A naiṣṭhika-brahmacārī vows lifelong celibacy. An upakurvāṇa-brahmacārī follows celibacy for a limited period and may then marry with the spiritual master's permission.
- Kardama Muni had not vowed perpetual celibacy and was willing to marry. Svāyambhuva Manu therefore asked him to accept his daughter.
Try this today
Write down one spiritual commitment you have made and one way to honor it today.
Ask yourself
Am I clear about the spiritual commitments I have actually made?
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.