Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 43
Vānaprastha-vidhi and Sannyāsa-dharma: Austerity, Detachment, and the Paramahaṁsa Ideal
ब्रह्मचर्यं तप: शौचं सन्तोषो भूतसौहृदम् । गृहस्थस्याप्यृतौ गन्तु: सर्वेषां मदुपासनम् ॥ ४३ ॥
brahmacaryaṁ tapaḥ śaucaṁ santoṣo bhūta-sauhṛdam gṛhasthasyāpy ṛtau gantuḥ sarveṣāṁ mad-upāsanam
A householder may approach his wife for sex only at the time prescribed for begetting children. Otherwise, the householder should practice celibacy, austerity, cleanliness of mind and body, satisfaction in his natural position, and friendship toward all living entities. Worship of Me is to be practiced by all human beings, regardless of social or occupational divisions.
Sarveṣāṁ mad-upāsanam indicates that all followers of the varṇāśrama system must worship Lord Kṛṣṇa or risk falling down from their position. As stated in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (11.5.3) , na bhajanty avajānanti sthānād bhraṣṭāḥ patanty adhaḥ: even though one may be advanced in the performance of Vedic rituals and customs, without worshiping the Supreme Lord one will certainly fall down.
FAQs
This verse lists brahmacarya (chastity), austerity, purity, contentment, and friendliness to all beings as universal disciplines, supporting spiritual life and devotion.
It states that for householders, conjugal union is permitted only in the proper, regulated time (ṛtau), implying restraint and dharmic regulation rather than indulgence.
Adopt cleanliness and contentment, practice restraint in sense pleasures (especially sexuality), cultivate kindness to all beings, and make regular worship of Kṛṣṇa the core of daily life.