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

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Canto 3 · The Status Quo · 33 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.
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Canto 3 · Chapter 12: Creation of the Kumāras and Others
3.12.423.12.44

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.12.43

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 3.12.37inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

वैखानसा वालखिल्यौदुम्बरा: फेनपा वने ।

न्यासे कुटीचक: पूर्वं बह्वोदो हंसनिष्क्रियौ ॥ ४३ ॥

vaikhānasā vālakhilyau-

dumbarāḥ phenapā vane

nyāse kuṭīcakaḥ pūrvaṁ

bahvodo haṁsa-niṣkriyau

Translation

The four divisions of retired life are the vaikhānasas, vālakhilyas, audumbaras and phenapas. The four divisions of the renounced order of life are the kuṭīcakas, bahvodas, haṁsas and niṣkriyas. All these were manifested from Brahmā.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Spiritual Social Orders Began With Creation

  1. 1

    The four divisions of retired life are the vaikhānasas, vālakhilyas, audumbaras and phenapas. All were manifested from Brahmā.

  2. 2

    The four divisions of renounced life are the kuṭīcakas, bahvodas, haṁsas and niṣkriyas. These also manifested from Brahmā.

  3. 3

    Varṇāśrama-dharma is the institution of four divisions and orders of social and spiritual life. It is not a modern invention, but was established by Brahmā at the beginning of creation.

Key points from the purport
  • The varṇāśrama-dharma, or the institution of the four divisions and orders of social and spiritual life, is not a new invention of the modern age, as proposed by the less intelligent.
  • It is an institution established by Brahmā from the beginning of the creation.
  • This is also confirmed in the Bhagavad-gītā (4.13): cātur-varṇyaṁ mayā sṛṣṭam.

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

Connected verses· 1

The purport of SB 3.12.43 quotesBG 4.13

This is also confirmed in the Bhagavad-gītā (4.13): cātur-varṇyaṁ mayā sṛṣṭam.

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

How it feels

Mystery → Cosmic wonder. The origin of the world is revealed through inquiry and divine grace.

Chapters 5–12 of Canto 3: Creation and Brahmā's bewilderment. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 12: Creation of the Kumāras and Others

Brahmā’s creation continues with sages, Rudra, sacrificial practices, religious principles, and further forms of life.

Back to this verse in chapter 3.12
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. vaikhānasāḥthe section of men who retire from active life and live on half-boiled meals
  2. vālakhilyaone who quits his former stock of grains on receipt of more
  3. audumbarāḥone who lives on what he gets from the direction towards which he starts after rising from bed
  4. phenapāḥone who lives on the fruits which automatically fall from the tree
  5. vanein the forest
  6. nyāsein the order of renunciation
  7. kuṭīcakaḥlife in the family without attachment
  8. pūrvamin the beginning
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

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 3.12

    In this verse: “renounced”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 3.12

    In this verse: “varṇāśrama-dharma”

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 does learning about this institution's origin affect my understanding of spiritual social life?

Practice

Make two short lists from the translation: the divisions of retired life and the divisions of renounced life.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySpiritual Social Orders Began With CreationThis 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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