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

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Canto 7 · The Science of God · 15 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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.11.25

Who is speaking and story frame

 स्त्रीणां च पतिदेवानां तच्छुश्रूषानुकूलता ।

तद्बन्धुष्वनुवृत्तिश्च नित्यं तद्‌व्रतधारणम् ॥ २५ ॥

strīṇāṁ ca pati-devānāṁ

tac-chuśrūṣānukūlatā

tad-bandhuṣv anuvṛttiś ca

nityaṁ tad-vrata-dhāraṇam

Translation

To render service to the husband, to be always favorably disposed toward the husband, to be equally well disposed toward the husband’s relatives and friends, and to follow the vows of the husband — these are the four principles to be followed by women described as chaste.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Household Harmony Supports Spiritual Advancement

  1. 1

    The verse describes four principles for a chaste woman: serving her husband, being favorably disposed toward him, treating his relatives and friends well, and following his vows.

  2. 2

    The purport stresses harmony between husband and wife as important for peaceful household life. Quarrels disrupt that peace.

  3. 3

    For peace and happiness, the purport recommends clearly defined duties and suitable education within varṇāśrama. Such an arrangement makes spiritual advancement possible.

Key points from the purport
  • It is very important for peaceful householder life that a woman follow the vow of her husband.
  • The basic principle for a chaste woman is to be always favorably disposed toward her husband.
  • The varṇāśrama system scientifically divides society into four varṇas and four āśramas, but in varṇa-saṅkara society there are no such distinctions, and no one can know who is who.

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 7.11.25 quotesBG 1.40

In Bhagavad-gītā (1.40) it is said, strīṣu duṣṭāsu vārṣṇeya jāyate varṇa-saṅkaraḥ: if the women are polluted, there will be varṇa-saṅkara population.

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

Seriousness → Principled living. The example of bhakti becomes a guide to daily life.

Chapters 11–15 of Canto 7: Teachings on social and spiritual conduct. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 11: The Perfect Society: Four Social Classes

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

In this way, Nārada Muni described the characteristics of higher and lower grades of people and recommended that one follow the principles of his caste or his hereditary occupation. One cannot suddenly give up a profession to which he is accustomed, and therefore it is recommended that one gradually be awakened.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 7.11
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. strīṇāmof women
  2. caalso
  3. pati-devānāmwho have accepted their husbands as worshipable
  4. tat-śuśrūṣāreadiness to render service to her husband
  5. anukūlatābeing favorably disposed towards her husband
  6. tat-bandhuṣuunto the friends and relatives of the husband
  7. anuvṛttiḥbeing similarly disposed (to treat them well for the satisfaction of the husband)
  8. caand
  9. nityamregularly
  10. tat-vrata-dhāraṇamaccepting the vows of the husband or acting exactly as the husband acts
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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

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 7.11

    In this verse: “principles”, “duties”, “varṇāśrama”

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 7.11

    In this verse: “friends”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 7.11

    In this verse: “favorably”

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 contribute to a more peaceful atmosphere in my household?

Practice

Show one concrete kindness to a family member today, using words that encourage harmony.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHousehold Harmony Supports Spiritual AdvancementThis 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 7.11.25? Get an answer from the verses themselves.