Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 23

Varṇāśrama-Dharma and the Thirty Qualities of a Human Being

Devanagari script

देवगुर्वच्युते भक्तिस्त्रिवर्गपरिपोषणम् । आस्तिक्यमुद्यमो नित्यं नैपुण्यं वैश्यलक्षणम् ॥ २३ ॥

Transliteration

deva-gurv-acyute bhaktis tri-varga-paripoṣaṇam āstikyam udyamo nityaṁ naipuṇyaṁ vaiśya-lakṣaṇam

Translation

Being always devoted to the demigods, the spiritual master and the Supreme Lord, Viṣṇu; endeavoring for advancement in religious principles, economic development and sense gratification [dharma, artha and kāma]; believing in the words of the spiritual master and scripture; and always endeavoring with expertise in earning money — these are the symptoms of the vaiśya.

Synonyms

• देव: in/with regard to the Deity
• देव: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन — locative singular; (सम्बन्धः)

• गुरु: in/with regard to the spiritual teacher
• गुरु: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुरु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन — locative singular; (सम्बन्धः)

• अच्युते: in Acyuta (the infallible Lord)
• अच्युते: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अच्युत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन — locative singular; (विषय/आलम्बन)

• भक्तिः: devotion
• भक्तिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भक्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन — nominative singular

• त्रि-वर्ग-परिपोषणम्: nourishing the three aims of life (dharma-artha-kāma)
• त्रि-वर्ग-परिपोषणम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रि (प्रातिपदिक) + वर्ग (प्रातिपदिक) + परिपोषण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन — nominative singular; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः: त्रिवर्गस्य परिपोषणम्

• आस्तिक्यम्: faith in the Veda/God (theism)
• आस्तिक्यम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आस्तिक्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन — nominative singular

• उद्यमः: industry/effort
• उद्यमः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उद्यम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन — nominative singular

• नित्यम्: always
• नित्यम्: Kriya-vishesana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नित्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (क्रियाविशेषण/adverb) — ‘always’

• नैपुण्यम्: skill/expertise
• नैपुण्यम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नैपुण्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन — nominative singular

• वैश्य-लक्षणम्: the characteristic of a vaiśya
• वैश्य-लक्षणम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वैश्य (प्रातिपदिक) + लक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन — nominative singular; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः: वैश्यस्य लक्षणम्

Characters & Entities

• Acyuta (Krishna)

FAQs

What are the qualities of a vaiśya according to Srimad Bhagavatam 7.11?

This verse lists devotion to the demigods, guru, and Lord Acyuta, proper maintenance of dharma-artha-kāma, faith in Vedic authority, constant industriousness, and practical expertise as the key vaiśya qualities.

Why does Prahlada Maharaja describe varṇa qualities in Canto 7 Chapter 11?

Prahlada explains how an ideal, God-centered society functions through prescribed qualities and duties, showing that social roles should support dharma and devotion to Krishna.

How can this verse be applied in modern life for work and devotion?

Cultivate faith, integrity, and steady effort in your livelihood while keeping devotion to Krishna and respect for spiritual guidance at the center, so worldly responsibilities support spiritual progress.