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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
7.14.257.14.27-28

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.14.26

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

संस्कारकालो जायाया अपत्यस्यात्मनस्तथा ।

प्रेतसंस्था मृताहश्च कर्मण्यभ्युदये नृप ॥ २६ ॥

saṁskāra-kālo jāyāyā

apatyasyātmanas tathā

preta-saṁsthā mṛtāhaś ca

karmaṇy abhyudaye nṛpa

Translation

O King Yudhiṣṭhira, at the time prescribed for reformatory ritualistic ceremonies for one’s self, one’s wife or one’s children, or during funeral ceremonies and annual death ceremonies, one must perform the auspicious ceremonies mentioned above in order to flourish in fruitive activities.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Surround Family Ceremonies With Saṅkīrtana

  1. 1

    The Vedas prescribe ceremonies for oneself, one’s wife and children, as well as funeral and annual death ceremonies. Personal reformatory methods include initiation.

  2. 2

    These ceremonies must be observed according to time, circumstances and the directions of the śāstras. Scriptural guidance should govern their performance.

  3. 3

    For Kali-yuga, the śāstras enjoin that saṅkīrtana-yajña be performed always. All recommended ritualistic ceremonies should be preceded and followed by saṅkīrtana.

Key points from the purport
  • The Vedas recommend many ritualistic ceremonies to be performed with one’s wife, on the birthdays of one’s children, or during funeral ceremonies, and there are also personal reformatory methods like initiation.
  • Bhagavad-gītā strongly recommends, jñātvā śāstra-vidhānoktam: everything must be performed as indicated in the śāstras.
  • All the ritualistic ceremonies recommended in the śāstras must be preceded and followed by saṅkīrtana.

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 14: Ideal Family Life

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Gṛhasthas should always be ready to worship everyone as mentioned above. The gṛhastha should not eat anything not offered to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 7.14
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. saṁskāra-kālaḥat the proper time indicated for Vedic reformatory performances
  2. jāyāyāḥfor the wife
  3. apatyasyafor the children
  4. ātmanaḥand one’s own self
  5. tathāas well as
  6. preta-saṁsthāfuneral ceremonies
  7. mṛta-ahaḥannual death ceremonies
  8. caand
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 7.14

    In this verse: “king”, “govern”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 7.14

    In this verse: “death”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 7.14

    In this verse: “children”

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 chanting take a clear place in my family’s ceremonies?

Practice

Write a reminder in your next family ceremony plan to begin and end with saṅkīrtana.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySurround Family Ceremonies With SaṅkīrtanaThis 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 7.14.26? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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