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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 12: The Perfect Society: Four Spiritual Classes
7.11.357.12.2

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.12.1

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nārada Munisince 7.12.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitNārada Muni → Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira

श्रीनारद उवाच

ब्रह्मचारी गुरुकुले वसन्दान्तो गुरोर्हितम् ।

आचरन्दासवन्नीचो गुरौ सुद‍ृढसौहृद: ॥ १ ॥

śrī-nārada uvāca

brahmacārī gurukule

vasan dānto guror hitam

ācaran dāsavan nīco

gurau sudṛḍha-sauhṛdaḥ

Translation

Nārada Muni said: A student should practice completely controlling his senses. He should be submissive and should have an attitude of firm friendship for the spiritual master. With a great vow, the brahmacārī should live at the gurukula, only for the benefit of the guru.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Learn Through Self-Control and Service

  1. 1

    A student should continually practice controlling his senses.

  2. 2

    He should be submissive and maintain firm friendship with the spiritual master.

  3. 3

    The brahmacārī should live at the gurukula with a strong vow to act for the guru’s benefit.

Connected verses· 3

Quoted in the purport ofSB 7.6.9

Brahmacārī gurukule vasan dānto guror hitam. From the very beginning, a brahmacārī is trained to sacrifice everything for the benefit of the guru.

Quoted in the purport ofSB 7.7.33

Brahmacārī gurukule vasan dānto guror hitam. This is the beginning of spiritual life.

Quoted in the purport ofSB 10.7.13-15

Brahmacārī gurukule vasan dānto guror hitam. The word dāntaḥ is very important.

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 12: The Perfect Society: Four Spiritual Classes

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

In the previous chapter, the great saint Nārada Muni has described the varṇa institution of society, and now, in this chapter, he will describe the stages of spiritual advancement in the four āśramas, which are known as brahmacarya, gṛhastha, vānaprastha and sannyāsa. The brahmacārī should live under the care of the true spiritual master, giving him sincere respect and obeisances, acting as his menial servant, and always carrying out his order.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 7.12
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śrī-nāradaḥ uvācaŚrī Nārada Muni said
  2. brahmacārīa brahmacārī, a student living at the residence of the guru
  3. gurukuleat the residence of the guru
  4. vasanby living
  5. dāntaḥcontinuously practicing control of the senses
  6. guroḥ hitamonly for the benefit of the guru (not for one’s personal benefit)
  7. ācaranpracticing
  8. dāsa-vatvery humbly, like a slave
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

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 7.12

    In this verse: “friendship”

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 approach spiritual learning with greater humility and a desire to serve?

Practice

Before studying today, pause and set an intention to learn with humility rather than for personal recognition.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Śrīla Prabhupāda speaks

His recorded lectures on this verse, and the talks where he quotes it.

1 lecture given on it · quoted in 15 more lectures. Recordings and transcripts on prabhupada.io.

Quoted in 15 other lectures

In each of these he quotes this verse while speaking on another verse or subject. "Find the quote" opens the transcript at that spot.

Live this todayLearn Through Self-Control and ServiceThis 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 7.12.1? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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