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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
7.12.207.12.22

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.12.21

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

केशरोमनखश्मश्रुमलानि जटिलो दधत् ।

कमण्डल्वजिने दण्डवल्कलाग्निपरिच्छदान् ॥ २१ ॥

keśa-roma-nakha-śmaśru-

malāni jaṭilo dadhat

kamaṇḍalv-ajine daṇḍa-

valkalāgni-paricchadān

Translation

The vānaprastha should wear matted locks of hair on his head and let his body hair, nails and moustache grow. He should not cleanse his body of dirt. He should keep a waterpot, deerskin and rod, wear the bark of a tree as a covering, and use garments colored like fire.

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.

The Vānaprastha’s Simple Dress and Possessions

  1. 1

    The vānaprastha should wear matted hair and allow body hair, nails and moustache to grow. The verse also directs him not to cleanse dirt from his body.

  2. 2

    His prescribed possessions include a waterpot, deerskin and rod.

  3. 3

    He should wear tree bark as a covering and garments colored like fire.

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:

He should wear tree bark, accept a daṇḍa, and practice life in the forest, taking a vow to live there for twelve years, eight years, four years, two years or at least one year. At last, when because of old age he can no longer perform the activities of a vānaprastha, he should gradually stop everything and in this way give up his body.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 7.12
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. keśahair on the head
  2. romahair on the body
  3. nakhanails
  4. śmaśrumoustache
  5. malāniand dirt on the body
  6. jaṭilaḥwith matted locks of hair
  7. dadhatone should keep
  8. kamaṇḍalua waterpot
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

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 7.12

    In this verse: “cleanse”

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

What does this description reveal about the vānaprastha’s approach to appearance and possessions?

Practice

Make a short list of the possessions and clothing prescribed here, and reflect on their simplicity.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Vānaprastha’s Simple Dress and PossessionsThis 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 7.12.21? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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