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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
7.14.187.14.20-23

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.14.19

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

कुर्यादपरपक्षीयं मासि प्रौष्ठपदे द्विज: ।

श्राद्धं पित्रोर्यथावित्तं तद्बन्धूनां च वित्तवान् ॥ १९ ॥

kuryād apara-pakṣīyaṁ

māsi prauṣṭha-pade dvijaḥ

śrāddhaṁ pitror yathā-vittaṁ

tad-bandhūnāṁ ca vittavān

Translation

A brāhmaṇa who is sufficiently rich must offer oblations to the forefathers during the dark-moon fortnight in the latter part of the month of Bhādra. Similarly, he should offer oblations to the relatives of the forefathers during the mahālayā ceremonies in the month of Āśvina.*

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.

Offer to Forefathers at Prescribed Times

  1. 1

    A brāhmaṇa who is sufficiently rich must offer oblations to the forefathers. The instruction addresses someone with the means to make these offerings.

  2. 2

    Offerings to the forefathers should be made during the dark-moon fortnight in the latter part of Bhādra.

  3. 3

    Offerings should also be made to the relatives of the forefathers during the mahālayā ceremonies in Āśvina.

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:

Whatever money a gṛhastha accumulates by the grace of God he should spend in five activities, namely worshiping the Supreme Personality of Godhead, receiving Vaiṣṇavas and saintly persons, distributing prasāda to the general public and to all living entities, offering prasāda to his forefathers, and also offering prasāda to his own self. Gṛhasthas should always be ready to worship everyone as mentioned above.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 7.14
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. kuryātone should perform
  2. apara-pakṣīyamduring the fortnight of the dark moon
  3. māsiin the month of Āśvina (October-November)
  4. prauṣṭha-padein the month of Bhādra (August-September)
  5. dvijaḥtwice-born
  6. śrāddhamoblations
  7. pitroḥunto the forefathers
  8. yathā-vittamaccording to one’s means of income
  9. tat-bandhūnām caas well as relatives of forefathers
  10. vitta-vānone who is sufficiently rich
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

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 instruction teach me about remembering family responsibilities when I have sufficient means?

Practice

Write down the two periods named here and whom the offerings are intended to honor.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayOffer to Forefathers at Prescribed TimesThis 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 7.14.19? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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