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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
7.12.107.12.12

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.12.11

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

एतत्सर्वं गृहस्थस्य समाम्नातं यतेरपि ।

गुरुवृत्तिर्विकल्पेन गृहस्थस्यर्तुगामिन: ॥ ११ ॥

etat sarvaṁ gṛhasthasya

samāmnātaṁ yater api

guru-vṛttir vikalpena

gṛhasthasyartu-gāminaḥ

Translation

All the rules and regulations apply equally to the householder and the sannyāsī, the member of the renounced order of life. The gṛhastha, however, is given permission by the spiritual master to indulge in sex during the period favorable for procreation.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Spiritual Life Under the Guru’s Guidance

  1. 1

    In every āśrama, one should conduct one’s whole life under the guidance of the spiritual master. Household life is not permission to act whimsically.

  2. 2

    A gṛhastha may engage in sex only during the period favorable for procreation and according to the spiritual master’s order. Permission is also required for garbhādhāna-saṁskāra.

  3. 3

    Following the spiritual master’s direction is the way to receive Kṛṣṇa’s mercy. Spiritual advancement cannot rest on ignoring that guidance.

Key points from the purport
  • When the spiritual master orders, the gṛhastha may accept sex life.
  • Only one who executes his spiritual life under the direction of the spiritual master can achieve the mercy of Kṛṣṇa.
  • Without the spiritual master’s order, even the gṛhastha should not indulge in sex life.

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 7.12.11 quotesBG 7.11

This is confirmed in Bhagavad-gītā (7.11). Dharmāviruddho bhūteṣu kāmo ’smi: indulgence in sex life without disobedience to the religious rules and regulations constitutes a religious principle.

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:

A brahmacārī should accept prasāda upon the order of the spiritual master, and if the spiritual master sometimes forgets to order the disciple to eat, the disciple should not take prasāda on his own initiative; rather, he should fast.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 7.12
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. etatthis
  2. sarvamall
  3. gṛhasthasyaof a householder
  4. samāmnātamdescribed
  5. yateḥ apieven of the person in the renounced order
  6. guru-vṛttiḥ vikalpenato follow the orders of the spiritual master
  7. gṛhasthasyaof the householder
  8. ṛtu-gāminaḥaccepting sex only during the period favorable for procreation
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 7.12

    In this verse: “householder”, “household”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 7.12

    In this verse: “favorable”, “mercy”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 7.12

    In this verse: “renounced”

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

Where might I be treating spiritual guidance as optional?

Practice

Review one instruction you have received from your spiritual master and identify one way to follow it today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySpiritual Life Under the Guru’s GuidanceThis 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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