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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
7.14.3-47.14.6

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.14.5

Mukti· Liberation
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

यावदर्थमुपासीनो देहे गेहे च पण्डित: ।

विरक्तो रक्तवत्तत्र नृलोके नरतां न्यसेत् ॥ ५ ॥

yāvad-artham upāsīno

dehe gehe ca paṇḍitaḥ

virakto raktavat tatra

nṛ-loke naratāṁ nyaset

Translation

While working to earn his livelihood as much as necessary to maintain body and soul together, one who is actually learned should live in human society unattached to family affairs, although externally appearing very much attached.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Live Simply and Inquire About Life’s Goal

  1. 1

    An actually learned person earns only as much as necessary for maintenance. Such a person lives in society without inward attachment to family affairs, although outwardly appearing attached.

  2. 2

    One may remain in one’s position while inquiring about life’s goal. Human life should not be wasted in unnecessary indulgence in eating, sleeping, mating and defending.

  3. 3

    A sincere devotee seeks a simple livelihood rather than more and more money, and Kṛṣṇa helps him. The real problem is freedom from birth, death and old age, not finding unnecessary necessities.

Key points from the purport
  • He therefore concludes that in the human form of life he should not endeavor for unnecessary necessities, but should live a very simple life, just maintaining body and soul together.
  • Earning one’s livelihood, therefore, is not a problem.
  • One should be satisfied with whatever means of life comes automatically.

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:

Although a gṛhastha should externally be very active in earning his livelihood, he should internally be situated as a fully self-realized person, without attachment for material gains. His dealings with family members or friends should be performed simply to fulfill their purpose; one should not be extravagantly engaged in this way.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 7.14
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yāvat-arthamas much endeavor for one’s livelihood as necessary
  2. upāsīnaḥearning
  3. dehein the body
  4. gehein family matters
  5. caalso
  6. paṇḍitaḥone who is learned
  7. viraktaḥnot at all attached
  8. rakta-vatas if very much attached
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Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 7.14

    In this verse: “attached”, “attachment”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 7.14

    In this verse: “devotee”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 7.14

    In this verse: “inquiring”

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

Which of my supposed necessities is making life more complicated without helping its real purpose?

Practice

Remove one unnecessary purchase from today’s shopping plans and use the saved time to study these teachings.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayLive Simply and Inquire About Life’s GoalThis 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 7.14.5? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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