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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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Canto 11 · General History · 31 chapters

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How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
  2. 2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
  3. 3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
  4. 4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
  5. 5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
  6. 6Write down what touched you. Note the main points in your own notebook.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 11 · Chapter 17: Lord Kṛṣṇa’s Description of the Varṇāśrama System
11.17.1211.17.14

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.17.13

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Supreme Personality of Godheadsince 11.17.9inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → Uddhava

विप्रक्षत्रियविट्‍शूद्रा मुखबाहूरुपादजा: ।

वैराजात् पुरुषाज्जाता य आत्माचारलक्षणा: ॥ १३ ॥

vipra-kṣatriya-viṭ-śūdrā

mukha-bāhūru-pāda-jāḥ

vairājāt puruṣāj jātā

ya ātmācāra-lakṣaṇāḥ

Translation

In Tretā-yuga the four social orders were manifested from the universal form of the Personality of Godhead. The brāhmaṇas appeared from the Lord’s face, the kṣatriyas from the Lord’s arms, the vaiśyas from the Lord’s thighs and the śūdras from the legs of that mighty form. Each social division was recognized by its particular duties and behavior.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

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.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Social Orders Arise from the Lord

  1. 1

    In Tretā-yuga, the four social orders manifest from the universal form of the Personality of Godhead.

  2. 2

    The brāhmaṇas appear from His face and the kṣatriyas from His arms. The vaiśyas appear from His thighs and the śūdras from His legs.

  3. 3

    Each social division is recognized by its particular duties and behavior. The verse connects social identity with what people do and how they conduct themselves.

How it feels

Uncertainty → Clarity. The coming separation makes the instruction personally urgent.

Chapters 10–20 of Canto 11: Kṛṣṇa's teachings on self, yoga and wisdom. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 17: Lord Kṛṣṇa’s Description of the Varṇāśrama System

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

In the following age, Tretā-yuga, there became manifest from the heart of the Supreme Personality of Godhead the three Vedas, and from them the three forms of the sacrificial fire. At that time the system of four varṇas and four āśramas, which prescribes material and spiritual duties for the different members of society, appeared from the bodily limbs of the Lord.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.17
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. viprabrāhmaṇas
  2. kṣatriyakṣatriyas, the martial class
  3. viṭvaiśyas, mercantile men
  4. śūdrāḥśūdras, workers
  5. mukhafrom the mouth
  6. bāhuarms
  7. ūruthighs
  8. pādaand legs
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 11.17

    In this verse: “duties”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What do your daily duties and behavior reveal about how you fulfill your responsibilities?

Practice

Choose one responsibility today and give careful attention to both completing it and behaving well while doing it.

Live this todaySocial Orders Arise from the LordThis verse's lesson: one practice and one question for today

Study points are short summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport on Vedabase.

Ask the BhāgavatamHave a question about SB 11.17.13? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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