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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.
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Canto 7 · Chapter 12: The Perfect Society: Four Spiritual Classes
7.12.227.12.24

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.12.23

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

यदाकल्प: स्वक्रियायां व्याधिभिर्जरयाथवा ।

आन्वीक्षिक्यां वा विद्यायां कुर्यादनशनादिकम् ॥ २३ ॥

yadākalpaḥ sva-kriyāyāṁ

vyādhibhir jarayāthavā

ānvīkṣikyāṁ vā vidyāyāṁ

kuryād anaśanādikam

Translation

When because of disease or old age one is unable to perform his prescribed duties for advancement in spiritual consciousness or study of the Vedas, he should practice fasting, not taking any food.

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.

When Age or Disease Prevents Duties

  1. 1

    The verse addresses someone unable to perform prescribed duties because of disease or old age.

  2. 2

    These duties support advancement in spiritual consciousness and study of the Vedas.

  3. 3

    For this condition, the verse prescribes fasting without taking food. This is a specific instruction, not a general daily practice.

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. yadāwhen
  2. akalpaḥunable to act
  3. sva-kriyāyāmin one’s own prescribed duties
  4. vyādhibhiḥbecause of disease
  5. jarayāor because of old age
  6. athavāeither
  7. ānvīkṣikyāmin spiritual advancement
  8. vāor
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

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 7.12

    In this verse: “duties”

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 do I value spiritual advancement when physical ability becomes limited?

Practice

Spend a minute reflecting on the purpose of spiritual duties, rather than undertaking the fasting described here.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayWhen Age or Disease Prevents DutiesThis 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 7.12.23? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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