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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
11.17.2311.17.25

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.17.24

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

स्‍नानभोजनहोमेषु जपोच्चारे च वाग्यत: ।

न च्छिन्द्यान्नखरोमाणि कक्षोपस्थगतान्यपि ॥ २४ ॥

snāna-bhojana-homeṣu

japoccāre ca vāg-yataḥ

na cchindyān nakha-romāṇi

kakṣopastha-gatāny api

Translation

A brahmacārī should always remain silent while bathing, eating, attending sacrificial performances, chanting japa or passing stool and urine. He should not cut his nails and hair, including the armpit and pubic hair.

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.

Restraint in Daily Brahmacārī Life

  1. 1

    A brahmacārī should remain silent while bathing, eating, attending sacrificial performances and chanting japa.

  2. 2

    He should also remain silent while passing stool and urine, and should not cut his nails or hair, including armpit and pubic hair.

  3. 3

    The purport notes that Nārada Muni gives a similar technical description of Vedic brahmacārī life.

Key points from the purport
  • Nārada Muni gives a similar technical description of Vedic brahmacārī life in Canto Seven, Chapter Twelve, of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.

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:

He should keep matted hair and is forbidden to wash his teeth, prepare a nice seat for himself, talk when bathing or evacuating, cut his hair and nails or at any time pass semen. He must regularly perform worship at the three junctures of the day and must render devotional service to his spiritual master in a spirit free from envy.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.17
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. snānawhile bathing
  2. bhojanawhile eating
  3. homeṣuand while attending sacrificial performances
  4. japawhile chanting mantras to oneself
  5. uccārewhile passing stool or urine
  6. caalso
  7. vāk-yataḥremaining silent
  8. nanot
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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 11.17

    In this verse: “chanting”

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

How could restraint in speech make your daily discipline more attentive?

Practice

During your japa today, refrain from unrelated conversation.

Live this todayRestraint in Daily Brahmacārī LifeThis 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 11.17.24? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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