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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 ›
Canto 7 · Chapter 11: The Perfect Society: Four Social Classes
7.11.307.11.32

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.11.31

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nārada Munisince 7.11.5inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitNārada Muni → Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira

प्राय: स्वभावविहितो नृणां धर्मो युगे युगे ।

वेदद‍ृग्भि: स्मृतो राजन्प्रेत्य चेह च शर्मकृत् ॥ ३१ ॥

prāyaḥ sva-bhāva-vihito

nṛṇāṁ dharmo yuge yuge

veda-dṛgbhiḥ smṛto rājan

pretya ceha ca śarma-kṛt

Translation

My dear King, brāhmaṇas well conversant in Vedic knowledge have given their verdict that in every age [yuga] the conduct of different sections of people according to their material modes of nature is auspicious both in this life and after death.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Perform Duties Suited to Your Nature

  1. 1

    Brāhmaṇas well versed in Vedic knowledge prescribe duties according to people's material modes of nature and the age concerned. Such conduct is described as auspicious in this life and after death.

  2. 2

    The purport teaches that performing one's own prescribed duties, even imperfectly, is better than performing another person's duties well.

  3. 3

    The purport distinguishes the standards applied to different sections of society and to animals and humans. It uses these distinctions to explain why occupational duties vary.

Key points from the purport
  • In Bhagavad-gītā (3.35) it is said, śreyān sva-dharmo viguṇaḥ para-dharmāt svanuṣṭhitāt: “It is far better to discharge one’s prescribed duties, even though they may be faulty, than another’s duties.”
  • Thus according to the symptoms of higher and lower sections of society, there are different varieties of occupational duties.
  • According to the experts in Vedic knowledge, these duties are prescribed in terms of the age concerned.

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 7.11.31 quotesBG 3.35

In Bhagavad-gītā (3.35) it is said, śreyān sva-dharmo viguṇaḥ para-dharmāt svanuṣṭhitāt: “It is far better to discharge one’s prescribed duties, even though they may be faulty, than another’s duties.”

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. prāyaḥgenerally
  2. sva-bhāva-vihitaḥprescribed, according to one’s material modes of nature
  3. nṛṇāmof human society
  4. dharmaḥthe occupational duty
  5. yuge yugein every age
  6. veda-dṛgbhiḥby brāhmaṇas well conversant in the Vedic knowledge
  7. smṛtaḥrecognized
  8. rājanO King
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 7.11

    In this verse: “king”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 7.11

    In this verse: “knowledge”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 7.11

    In this verse: “material”

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

Am I neglecting my own responsibilities while wishing to perform someone else's?

Practice

Choose one responsibility that is yours and complete it carefully today, even if you cannot do it perfectly.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayPerform Duties Suited to Your NatureThis 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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