Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 7.12.13-14
Manvantara· The Manus and right dutyStudy to Understand the Absolute Truth
“According to the rules and regulations mentioned above, one who is twice-born, namely a brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya or vaiśya, should reside in the gurukula under the care of the spiritual master. There he should study and learn all the Vedic literatures along with their supplements and the Upaniṣads, according to his ability and power to study. If possible, the student or disciple should reward the spiritual master with the remuneration the spiritual master requests, and then, following the master’s order, the disciple should leave and accept one of the other āśramas, namely the gṛhastha-āśrama, vānaprastha-āśrama or sannyāsa-āśrama, as he desires.”
What the purport teaches
- A brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya or vaiśya should study and understand the Vedic literatures under the spiritual master’s care, according to personal ability. This includes their supplements and the Upaniṣads.
- The purpose of gurukula is to understand Vedic knowledge, which leads to understanding the Absolute Truth—Brahman, Paramātmā or Bhagavān. Technical training does not serve this same purpose.
- If able, the disciple should give the remuneration requested by the spiritual master and enter another āśrama with his permission. Becoming a gṛhastha is not compulsory, because understanding the Absolute Truth is the ultimate aim.
Try this today
Spend five minutes studying the supplied passage and write down one teaching you understand.
Ask yourself
How much of my learning helps me understand the Absolute Truth?
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.