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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 14: Ideal Family Life
7.14.107.14.12

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.14.11

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nārada Munisince 7.14.2inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitNārada Muni → Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira

आश्वाघान्तेऽवसायिभ्य: कामान्संविभजेद्यथा ।

अप्येकामात्मनो दारां नृणां स्वत्वग्रहो यत: ॥ ११ ॥

āśvāghānte ’vasāyibhyaḥ

kāmān saṁvibhajed yathā

apy ekām ātmano dārāṁ

nṛṇāṁ svatva-graho yataḥ

Translation

Dogs, fallen persons and untouchables, including caṇḍālas [dog-eaters], should all be maintained with their proper necessities, which should be contributed by the householders. Even one’s wife at home, with whom one is most intimately attached, should be offered for the reception of guests and people in general.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Share Necessities and Give Up Ownership

  1. 1

    Householders should supply life's necessities to everyone, human or animal, regardless of good or bad qualities. No one is excluded from this provision.

  2. 2

    Help should provide what is needed rather than supply excess that may be misused. The purport emphasizes thoughtful provision of necessities.

  3. 3

    Engaging one's wife in receiving guests is explained as a way to loosen excessive attachment and the claim of ownership. Even the idea of owning one's family must gradually be abandoned.

Key points from the purport
  • Outcastes or untouchable caṇḍālas should also be provided with the necessities for life.
  • However, although such a division of men must exist according to their quality and work, it is suggested herewith that everyone must have the necessities of life.
  • Consequently, in the human form of life one’s attachment for his wife should be given up, as suggested herein.

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 7.14.11 quotesBG 4.13

As mentioned in Bhagavad-gītā (4.13), cātur-varṇyaṁ mayā sṛṣṭaṁ guṇa-karma-vibhāgaśaḥ: there must be four divisions of human society according to the work and qualities of men.

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 14: Ideal Family Life

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

He should provide the necessities of life even to the dogs and the lowest creatures and should not exploit others for sense gratification. Factually, according to the instructions of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, every gṛhastha is a great communist who provides the means of living for everyone.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 7.14
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. āeven up to
  2. śvathe dog
  3. aghasinful animals or living entities
  4. ante avasāyibhyaḥunto the caṇḍālas, the lowest of men (dog-eaters and hog-eaters)
  5. kāmānthe necessities of life
  6. saṁvibhajetshould divide
  7. yathāas much as (deserved)
  8. apieven
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 7.14

    In this verse: “attached”, “householders”, “attachment”

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 care for my family and others without thinking of them as my possessions?

Practice

Share a needed food item with someone today without expecting anything in return.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayShare Necessities and Give Up OwnershipThis 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 7.14.11? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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