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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
7.12.77.12.9

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.12.8

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

केशप्रसाधनोन्मर्दस्‍नपनाभ्यञ्जनादिकम् ।

गुरुस्त्रीभिर्युवतिभि: कारयेन्नात्मनो युवा ॥ ८ ॥

keśa-prasādhanonmarda-

snapanābhyañjanādikam

guru-strībhir yuvatibhiḥ

kārayen nātmano yuvā

Translation

If the wife of the spiritual master is young, a young brahmacārī should not allow her to care for his hair, massage his body with oil, or bathe him with affection like a mother.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Honor Motherly Relationships With Clear Boundaries

  1. 1

    The relationship between the disciple and the spiritual master’s wife is like that of son and mother.

  2. 2

    If both are young, the brahmacārī should not accept hair care, oil massage or bathing from her, even when offered with motherly affection.

  3. 3

    The purport names seven mothers: one’s own mother, the teacher’s wife, a brāhmaṇa’s wife, the king’s wife, the cow, the nurse and the earth. It also stresses avoiding unnecessary association even within family relationships.

Key points from the purport
  • The relationship between the student or disciple and the wife of the spiritual master or teacher is like that between son and mother.
  • Similarly, the wife of the teacher is also a mother (guru-patnī), and therefore she may also care for the disciple in a motherly way.
  • If the wife of the teacher is a young woman, however, a young brahmacārī should not allow such a mother to touch him.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

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:

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. The brahmacārī should engage himself in spiritual activities and study the Vedic literature under the direction of the spiritual master.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 7.12
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. keśa-prasādhanabrushing the hair
  2. unmardamassaging the body
  3. snapanabathing
  4. abhyañjana-ādikammassaging the body with oil and so on
  5. guru-strībhiḥby the wife of the spiritual master
  6. yuvatibhiḥvery young
  7. kārayetshould allow to do
  8. nanever
  9. ātmanaḥfor personal service
  10. yuvāif the student is a young man
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

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 7.12

    In this verse: “mother”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 7.12

    In this verse: “king’s”

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 affectionate respect coexist with boundaries that support spiritual discipline?

Practice

Write one sentence explaining why motherly affection does not remove the boundary described in this verse.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHonor Motherly Relationships With Clear BoundariesThis 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 7.12.8? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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  3. Lead
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