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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
11.17.2111.17.23

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.17.22

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

द्वितीयं प्राप्यानुपूर्व्याज्जन्मोपनयनं द्विज: ।

वसन् गुरुकुले दान्तो ब्रह्माधीयीत चाहूत: ॥ २२ ॥

dvitīyaṁ prāpyānupūrvyāj

janmopanayanaṁ dvijaḥ

vasan gurukule dānto

brahmādhīyīta cāhūtaḥ

Translation

The twice-born member of society achieves second birth through the sequence of purificatory ceremonies culminating in Gāyatrī initiation. Being summoned by the spiritual master, he should reside within the guru’s āśrama and with a self-controlled mind carefully study the Vedic literature.

Read the purport on Vedabase.io

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.

Spiritual Education Requires Self-Control and Humility

  1. 1

    For brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas and vaiśyas, Gāyatrī initiation signifies a second birth through spiritual initiation. Biological birth alone does not establish intelligence or enlightenment.

  2. 2

    The student resides in the spiritual master’s āśrama and carefully studies Vedic literature with a controlled mind. The purport calls for every young boy and girl to learn self-control and study authorized Vedic literature.

  3. 3

    Purificatory rites systematically cleanse character. Those purified in this way give up argumentative and whimsical tendencies and become submissive and eager to learn from a bona fide spiritual master.

Key points from the purport
  • The term dvija, or “twice-born,” here indicates the three superior classes, namely brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas and vaiśyas, who all receive the Gāyatrī mantra, which signifies their second birth through spiritual initiation.
  • In order to become enlightened with spiritual knowledge, the boy resides within the gurukula, or āśrama of the spiritual master.
  • Generally, śūdras and those who do not follow the Vedic system are not attracted to such purificatory ceremonies; therefore they remain ignorant of spiritual life and envious of the bona fide spiritual master.

The purport's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

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:

After receiving the sacred thread initiation, they should go to live in the gurukula, the home of the spiritual master. With a pacified mind, the student ( brahmacārī) should absorb himself in study of the Vedas.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.17
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. dvitīyamsecond
  2. prāpyaachieving
  3. ānupūrvyātby the gradual process of purificatory ceremonies
  4. janmabirth
  5. upanayanamGāyatrī initiation
  6. dvijaḥa twice-born member of society
  7. vasanresiding
  8. gurukulein the āśrama of the spiritual master
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

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 11.17

    In this verse: “purificatory”, “cleanse”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

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

    In this verse: “āśrama”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 11.17

    In this verse: “give up”

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

Do I approach spiritual instruction eager to learn, or eager to argue?

Practice

Spend five undistracted minutes studying this teaching, with an effort to understand rather than argue.

Live this todaySpiritual Education Requires Self-Control and HumilityThis 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 11.17.22? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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