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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 18: Description of Varṇāśrama-dharma
11.18.211.18.4

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.18.3

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Supreme Personality of Godheadsince 11.18.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → Uddhava

केशरोमनखश्मश्रुमलानि बिभृयाद् दत: ।

न धावेदप्सु मज्जेत त्रिकालं स्थण्डिलेशय: ॥ ३ ॥

keśa-roma-nakha-śmaśru-

malāni bibhṛyād dataḥ

na dhāved apsu majjeta

tri kālaṁ sthaṇḍile-śayaḥ

Translation

The vānaprastha should not groom the hair on his head, body or face, should not manicure his nails, should not pass stool and urine at irregular times and should not make a special endeavor for dental hygiene. He should be content to take bath in water three times daily and should sleep on the ground.

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.

Accept a Life of Bodily Simplicity

  1. 1

    For the vānaprastha, the verse prescribes leaving the hair and nails ungroomed.

  2. 2

    It also prescribes regular times for passing stool and urine, without making a special endeavor for dental hygiene.

  3. 3

    The vānaprastha should be content to bathe in water three times daily and sleep on the ground.

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 18: Description of Varṇāśrama-dharma

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

He should bathe three times daily in cold water and sleep upon the ground. During the hot season he should stand beneath the fearsome heat of the sun with fires blazing on four sides.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.18
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. keśahair on the head
  2. romabodily hair
  3. nakhafingernails and toenails
  4. śmaśrufacial hair
  5. malānibodily waste products
  6. bibhṛyātone should tolerate
  7. dataḥthe teeth
  8. na dhāvetshould not clean
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

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 much of my attention goes toward bodily appearance and comfort?

Practice

Notice one unnecessary concern about your appearance today and let it pass without acting on it.

Live this todayAccept a Life of Bodily SimplicityThis 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 11.18.3? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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