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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 15: Instructions for Civilized Human Beings
7.15.137.15.15

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.15.14

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nārada Munisince 7.15.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitNārada Muni → Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira

यस्त्विच्छया कृत: पुम्भिराभासो ह्याश्रमात्पृथक् ।

स्वभावविहितो धर्म: कस्य नेष्ट: प्रशान्तये ॥ १४ ॥

yas tv icchayā kṛtaḥ pumbhir

ābhāso hy āśramāt pṛthak

sva-bhāva-vihito dharmaḥ

kasya neṣṭaḥ praśāntaye

Translation

A pretentious religious system manufactured by one who willfully neglects the prescribed duties of his order of life is called ābhāsa [a dim reflection or false similarity]. But if one performs the prescribed duties for his particular āśrama or varṇa, why are they not sufficient to mitigate all material distresses?

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Duties Should Lead to Kṛṣṇa Consciousness

  1. 1

    One should follow the principles of varṇa and āśrama given in śāstra. Their aim and end is to become Kṛṣṇa conscious.

  2. 2

    A religious system that neglects prescribed duties and replaces worship of Viṣṇu with a concocted God is pretentious. Such systems misguide their followers.

  3. 3

    A brāhmaṇa must have brahminical qualifications; birth alone is not sufficient. Following the scriptural system according to one’s qualifications can relieve distress.

Key points from the purport
  • It is indicated here that everyone should strictly follow the principles of varṇa and āśrama as given in the śāstra.
  • The original system is that a brāhmaṇa should actually become a brāhmaṇa; he should not only take birth in a brāhmaṇa family, but must also be qualified.
  • The real aim of life is to mitigate distress, and one can do this very easily by following the principles of śāstra.

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 15: Instructions for Civilized Human Beings

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Generally the charity is given to sannyāsīs, brāhmaṇas in the renounced order of life. If such a sannyāsī is not available, the charity is given to brāhmaṇa householders engaged in fruitive activities.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 7.15
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yaḥthat which
  2. tuindeed
  3. icchayāwhimsically
  4. kṛtaḥconducted
  5. pumbhiḥby persons
  6. ābhāsaḥdim reflection
  7. hiindeed
  8. āśramātfrom one’s own order of life
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

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 7.15

    In this verse: “religious”, “duties”, “varṇa”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 7.15

    In this verse: “distresses”, “distress”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 7.15

    In this verse: “material”

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

Am I developing genuine qualifications and keeping Kṛṣṇa consciousness as the goal of my duties?

Practice

Choose one prescribed duty you already understand and perform it carefully today with Kṛṣṇa consciousness as its purpose.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDuties Should Lead to Kṛṣṇa ConsciousnessThis 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 7.15.14? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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