Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 7.11.13
Manvantara· The Manus and right dutyQualification Requires Training and Purified Conduct
“Those who have been reformed by the garbhādhāna ceremony and other prescribed reformatory methods, performed with Vedic mantras and without interruption, and who have been approved by Lord Brahmā, are dvijas, or twice-born. Such brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas and vaiśyas, purified by their family traditions and by their behavior, should worship the Lord, study the Vedas and give charity. In this system, they should follow the principles of the four āśramas [brahmacarya, gṛhastha, vānaprastha and sannyāsa].”
What the purport teaches
- Training in the thirty qualities must come before introducing the varṇāśrama system. Good character is the foundation of this training.
- The reformatory ceremonies begin with garbhādhāna, intended for bringing forth a good child. Birth in a twice-born family alone does not make one twice-born if the reformatory process has not been followed.
- Purified brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas and vaiśyas should worship the Lord, study the Vedas and give charity. They should also follow the duties of the four āśramas.
Try this today
Set aside a small amount for charity today as a deliberate act of duty.
Ask yourself
Do I place more importance on family background or on training and actual conduct?
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.