Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 26

Varṇāśrama-Dharma and the Thirty Qualities of a Human Being

Devanagari script

सम्मार्जनोपलेपाभ्यां गृहमण्डनवर्तनै: । स्वयं च मण्डिता नित्यं परिमृष्टपरिच्छदा ॥ २६ ॥ कामैरुच्चावचै: साध्वी प्रश्रयेण दमेन च । वाक्यै: सत्यै: प्रियै: प्रेम्णा काले काले भजेत्पतिम् ॥ २७ ॥

Transliteration

sammārjanopalepābhyāṁ gṛha-maṇḍana-vartanaiḥ svayaṁ ca maṇḍitā nityaṁ parimṛṣṭa-paricchadā

Translation

A chaste woman must dress nicely and decorate herself with golden ornaments for the pleasure of her husband. Always wearing clean and attractive garments, she should sweep and clean the household with water and other liquids so that the entire house is always pure and clean. She should collect the household paraphernalia and keep the house always aromatic with incense and flowers and must be ready to execute the desires of her husband. Being modest and truthful, controlling her senses, and speaking in sweet words, a chaste woman should engage in the service of her husband with love, according to time and circumstances.

Synonyms

• सम्मार्जन-उपलेपाभ्याम्: by sweeping and smearing/plastering
• सम्मार्जन-उपलेपाभ्याम्: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सम्मार्जन (प्रातिपदिक) + उपलेप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग (समाहार), तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), द्विवचन — instrumental dual; द्वन्द्वः: सम्मार्जनं च उपलेपः च

• गृह-मण्डन-वर्तनैः: by acts of decorating and maintaining the house
• गृह-मण्डन-वर्तनैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गृह (प्रातिपदिक) + मण्डन (प्रातिपदिक) + वर्तन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), बहुवचन — instrumental plural; तत्पुरुषः: गृहे मण्डन-वर्तनैः (गृहस्य अलङ्कार-व्यवहारैः)

• स्वयम्: herself
• स्वयम्: Kriya-vishesana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: स्वयम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (क्रियाविशेषण/adverb) — ‘oneself’

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (समुच्चय/ conjunction)

• मण्डिता: adorned
• मण्डिता: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मण्डित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √मण्ड् (धातु) + क्त)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन — nominative singular; भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle)

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

• परिमृष्ट-परिच्छदा: whose garments/attire are well-cleaned
• परिमृष्ट-परिच्छदा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: परिमृष्ट (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √मृज् (धातु) + क्त) + परिच्छद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन — nominative singular; बहुव्रीहिः: परिमृष्टाः परिच्छदाः यस्याः सा

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about cleanliness and order in household life?

In Canto 7, Chapter 11, this verse teaches that a devoted householder should maintain cleanliness, tasteful decoration, and personal neatness—supporting a peaceful, dharmic home suited for service and devotion.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī describe these household duties in the Seventh Canto?

Śukadeva explains varṇāśrama-dharma and proper conduct for different social and spiritual roles; this verse outlines refined, sattvic standards for household life as part of righteous living.

Practical application of this teaching in modern life?

Keep your living space clean and organized, maintain simple personal neatness, and make the home calm and welcoming—so daily duties and spiritual practices can be performed with clarity and respect.