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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
11.17.3611.17.38

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.17.37

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

अथानन्तरमावेक्ष्यन् यथा जिज्ञासितागम: ।

गुरवे दक्षिणां दत्त्वा स्‍नायाद् गुर्वनुमोदित: ॥ ३७ ॥

athānantaram āvekṣyan

yathā-jijñāsitāgamaḥ

gurave dakṣiṇāṁ dattvā

snāyād gurv-anumoditaḥ

Translation

A brahmacārī who has completed his Vedic education and desires to enter household life should offer proper remuneration to the spiritual master, bathe, cut his hair, put on proper clothes, and so on. Then, taking permission from the guru, he should go back to his home.

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.

Enter Household Life With Spiritual Guidance

  1. 1

    After completing Vedic education, a brahmacārī wishing to enter household life should offer remuneration to his spiritual master. He should prepare himself properly and return home with the guru’s permission.

  2. 2

    Attraction to household life must be regulated so that spiritual determination does not collapse. Seeking enjoyment outside devotional service draws one away from the Supreme Lord.

  3. 3

    One should direct the propensity to love toward serving a pure devotee. Worship of Kṛṣṇa without worship of His devotees does not indicate an advanced Vaiṣṇava.

Key points from the purport
  • This verse describes the process called samāvartana, or returning to one’s home after finishing Vedic education in the āśrama of the spiritual master.
  • One who cannot concentrate all of his desires in the devotional service of the Lord is attracted to householder life, and if this attraction is not regulated, one will fall down.
  • One who takes to family life must rigidly follow the Vedic rules and regulations in order to avoid the collapse of his spiritual determination.

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 studying all the different aspects of the Vedas, a brāhmaṇa who has material desires may take permission from his spiritual master and enter family life. Otherwise, if he has no material desire, he may become a vānaprastha or sannyāsī.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.17
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. athathus
  2. anantaramafter that
  3. āvekṣyandesiring to enter family life
  4. yathāproperly
  5. jijñāsitahaving studied
  6. āgamaḥthe Vedic literature
  7. guraveto the spiritual master
  8. dakṣiṇāmremuneration
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 11.17

    In this verse: “devotional service”, “devotee”, “worship”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 11.17

    In this verse: “household”

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 11.17

    In this verse: “love”

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 can I keep affection and household responsibilities connected with devotional service?

Practice

Perform one small act of service for a devotee today.

Live this todayEnter Household Life With Spiritual GuidanceThis 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.

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